after reading the District’s reopening plan
tonight I am picturing
my sons
in half-empty rooms
of masked children
their shoes rooted to the floor
amidst evenly-spaced desks
how could they endure
not being able to move
or play
or eat?
tonight I am picturing
my sons
listless in our living room
realizing education
is such a small part
of school
how could I ask them to go
another year without friends
another year home with us
another year far from
what they know?
but I want to keep them safe –
how can I anticipate
what they’ll most loathe
about next year?
