Dying Alone

The battle continues as COVID-19

Insidiously continues to spread.

People are doing their part to combat it--

Still not knowing what lies ahead.

The luckier folks have milder cases.

Self-quarantined, they hope they can win

The battle against the dangerous virus--

Trying to smile as their patience wears thin.

In hospital rooms around the country

People are struggling to stay alive.

The virus stealthily crosses all boundaries,

Seeking out places where it can thrive.

Health care workers everywhere

Are putting their lives in danger to give

Excellent treatment to those in their care.

Their goal: helping their patients to live.

Loved ones live in anguish and fear.

Unable to enter hospital rooms

To comfort the ones they love, they must

Avoid a place where danger looms.

Doctors and nurses, along with other

Trained medical personnel,

Perform their medical duties and serve

As "family" to the dying as well.

A laptop or phone might be the only

Contact some have with the world outside.

For many, their bodies succumb to the virus,

For they are unable to turn the tide.

Hold them in your heart--the ones

Who are isolated and on their own.

Embrace them all with loving thoughts--

The ones who sadly must die alone.

-by Bob B (4-9-20)