Living In The Shadow Poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

living in the shadow

The restriction we have been living under in Cascais
has been slightly lifted, and we can walk freely about
as long as we use a face mask.
For us elderly it is not so bad we are at home most
of the time anyway and have no need going out
celebrating for its own sake.
For the young, it must be hell, say, keeping social
distance and no holding of hands.
They have secret parties were the throw off the mask
drink and dance, never mind the virus.
To the shock of many young people catch the unseen
enemy and many dies or are maimed for life,
they wrongly thought it was the very old the expendable
died, they could live with this as long as it was not
the grandparents.
The wearing of masks has become political in Texas
people marching in the street carrying placard proclaiming
"My body, My choice."
Freedom without responsibility can be lethal.