Pandemic Tanka

By Rose Menyon Heflin

I.
Pandemic Bus Stop

Echoing laughter
The bus stop across the street
People are waiting
Giggling through the pain and fear
Discussing the new normal

II.
Pandemic Swing Set

No children at play
Salvation Army playground
Is bare and lonely
The swings still, the air quiet
Amid coronavirus

III.
Pandemic Rage

Her anger increases
With each word he screams at her
Until it bursts forth
So very violently,
And she lashes out in a rage.

IV.
Pandemic Mask

That look in your eyes
Heartache screaming so loudly
From behind your mask
Reeking heavily of booze
And lonesome desperation

V.
Pandemic Impatience

Such uncertain times
Nothing to do except wait
For something unknown
Increasingly impatient
And searching for the right words

VI.
Pandemic Poverty

Rendered obsolete
By a global pandemic
Hungry and afraid
With no shortage of anger
The lights will be shut off soon.

Rose Menyon Heflin is an emerging poet from Madison, Wisconsin. Her work has appeared in numerous journals, and her poetry recently won a Merit Award from Arts for All Wisconsin.