Variant Party

Kateryna_Kon/Adobestock

POETRY FOR INCLUSION

Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma

Greek alphabet replicates with haste

sorority and fraternity gatherings in nasal cavities

applauding the spread

and citizens thump chests chiseled with

First Amendment rights fighting for

freedom misinterpreted

Seasons of isolation bemoan with libations

and carnage lies listless unmasked with sorrow

herd immunity just a teaser and

COVID-land celebrates with spike protein confetti

Humanity seems antiquated

and lying on death's noxious door

donkey and elephant clash

pompous asses tattoed with greed

red and blue irrelevant for host transmisison

Society on edge

restless lungs long to breathe hope

a never-ending party in sight

providing ventilators as parting gifts

a mandate for auguries of death

Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma

mindful of your virulence

and mortality

Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J scholastic squad

armed with scientific vigor

to help silence the spread

Dr Clark is an outpatient psychiatrist at Prisma Health-Upstate and clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville. He served on the American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry, and he currently serves as the Diversity and Inclusion section editor and advisory board member for Psychiatric Times^TM.