Poetry of Issue #8        Page 26

Will I ever dare?

Will my books and papers
molder in loneliness
social distanced in the City
while I forever shelter in place?
While I cower in terror of the 8:01
and its crowds on the platform
where shared air and an elbow in the gut
are minimum daily requirements?
Will I ever dare
to take my commuter train?
Will I ever dare
to reach a seat?