Living in a Dystopian Novel

Empty shelves. Lack of supplies.

Fighting a virus that's unforgiving.

School closures. Loss of jobs.

A new reality in which we're living.

Hospitals filling. Medical staff

In danger from lack of protective gear.

Stores and industries shutting down.

For how long remains unclear.

Closed borders. Cancelled flights.

Social distancing's a must.

Living in a dystopian novel,

We hear the command: Adjust! Adjust!

Where is our federal leadership?

Scrambling for sure, but this is worth noting:

The president's spreading misinformation

And keeps applying a sugar coating.

We need help! our governors say;

We're limited, but doing what we can.

The president says, "We are not

A supply shop." Compassionate man!

When asked pertinent questions about

Allaying the public's fears or stress,

Our insecure president

Loses control and attacks the press.

For months we knew of the imminent threat,

And yet where was the preparation?

The jaw-dropping inactivity

Of our leadership endangers our nation.

Our ICU surge capacity

Must be increased, experts insist.

And personal protective equipment

Should be at the top of the list.

Unfortunately, the president's

Narcissism gets in his way.

We DON'T need empty promises;

We need action. Now! Today!

We'll get through this eventually.

Because of him? No! In SPITE of him

Who leads us down the rabbit hole

And governs by a hunch and a whim.

-by Bob B (3-21-20)