Ghazals in the time of the Pandemic
End of the Semester
Teaching how to write
on screen with Zoom
words get warped of meaning
on screen with Zoom
students hide their faces
on screen with Zoom
stories still unfolding
on screen with Zoom
much mental unloading
on screen with Zoom;
today the class is over
on screen with Zoom
I stare at empty boxes
of faceless Zoom
and long for all the laughter
that screams with Zoom.
Pam Laskin__
__________
Cradle in my Arms
Six months ago I saw my kids
and cradled them in arms,
the world had wings with which to fly
and cradle in my arms,
now the beaches close their doors
can’t cradle in my arms
the parks are mourning swingless swings
to cradle in one’s arms
today I dream of better days
to cradle in my arms
to see my babies close enough
to cradle in my arms.
Pam Laskin__
The World Shut Down Its Hugs
Three months ago corona struck
the world shut down its hugs
the edict is six feet apart
the world shut down its hugs
everyone must wear a mask
the world shut down its hugs
even if you’re lonely
the world shut down its hugs
I gaze longingly at grandkids
I’m not allowed to hug
its social isolation
a world without its hugs
and mental hibernation
the world shut down its hugs.
Pam Laskin__
______________
Facetime With Ella
Every day at 5 o’clock
there is a ring from Ella
Ella fills the screen with awe
her daily call from facetime
sometimes she interrupts my plans
I miss her call from facetime
without the hugs, without her breath
but still I have the facetime
I ask to see her brother Jake
She wants to hog the facetime
Look forward to the time when there
Is no call from facetime
When I embrace their face in flesh
And say goodbye to facetime.
Pam Laskin__
A Mother’s Lament
In memory of George Floyd
Each time he walks the street
he could be killed
Aubrey sought to run
and he was killed
George Floyd cashed a check
he soon was killed
he cried out to his Mama
then was killed
the color of his face
he could be killed
even if he’s ten
he could be killed
Trayvon wore a hoodie
and he was killed
how does Mama sleep
when he is killed.
Pam Laskin__
__________
With No Vaccine
Years before we hug
with no vaccine
I gaze at empty hands
with no vaccine
my smile disappears
with no vaccine
the mask fills up my face
with no vaccine
the absence of your touch
with no vaccine
it almost feels too much
with no vaccine.
Pam Laskin__