so beautiful

---

I want to be kind but I can’t hear  
much more about illness and death anymore:
Each person’s list of Covid symptoms.
Who just left the ICU, and who didn’t.
That my neighbor still can’t taste his food.
Endless conversations and complaints  
of our world interrupted.
I know the importance of conversation—
to circle up and share is a salve for our pain.
To lament what’s lost or changed
in a world out of control.
But I’m tired of all the virus talk elbowing out
the joys of another spring:
The five goldfinches, shining like yellow angels
in the Norway spruce.
The first love-red hibiscus flower,
The sight of a red fox, who for two days  
chose our yard as his home.
The empty space of a sleepy afternoon.
The aroma of white bean and tomato soup.
The neighbor boy whirring with joy
as he races his toy car up and down the street.
Everybody wants to know what they’re going to do
when this whole thing is over.
I want to taste life again,
the one so beautiful it makes me stagger.