Starting in January, I’d heard growing buzz
About a virus in Asia that looked like it twas
Spreading quite quickly but mostly abroad
Thinking it would stay there was certainly flawed.
Working in travel, we kept an eye on the news
Clients reached out not sure what to do
At first, we discouraged delaying their plans
As we didn’t quite grasp the extent of its span
In fact, we made light and one Friday we sat
Sipping Coronas and laughing, a joke now falling flat.
We figured, while scary, we were safe in the states.
There was no way to imagine our upcoming fates.
A mere three days later, our reality changed
And working from home we had to arrange.
My trips and all travel were officially off
And we were instantly wary of both fever and cough.
Bars and restaurants soon closed; most events followed suit
Then the stopping of sports, it was hard to compute.
Such swift closures and change instilled fear in us all
So, I stocked up on food and a bit of Lysol.
There were rumblings of lockdowns, mandates to stay put
Which meant me, in my apartment, of minimal square foot.
Not liking the prospect of staying home all alone
I moved west to my parents’, for a duration unknown.
A routine soon developed, of long walks and of work
Their home gym and nightly dinners were a definite perk
There were moments of course, when my sanity cracked
Like texting a celeb in hopes he’d write back.
Not allowed to see friends or exit the house
Zoom took center stage, a sort of substitute spouse
While it couldn’t make up for in person contact
It served to entertain, occupy and most importantly, distract.
Friends swapped stories, made cookies, held raucous game nights,
And attempted Getty Museum’s challenge, which proved quite a sight.
A bachelorette went virtual as did two baby showers
We exceeded our monthly internet plan in what felt like mere hours.
We all thought the disruption would last a few weeks at most
And yet life’s now defined by the terms pre-COVID and post.
The world as we knew it the virus did claim
It became clear that our lives would never be the same.
Months started to drag, and our emotions did grow
We swung from anxiety to loneliness and serious FOMO
I found myself crying at the most random of times
For comfort I watched Netflix and Hulu, then Amazon Prime.
With the kitchen located right next to my “desk”
I frequently snacked, an amount quite grotesque
This proximity to food combined with feelings of stress
Made my eating habits devolve into an undeniable mess.
Real clothes were irrelevant, and so too were shoes
Which leggings to sport was all one had to choose
So poor was my maintenance that the day soon arrived
When simply washing my hair made me feel quite alive.
To combat the eating and the time spent on zoom
I made myself regularly visit my parents’ weight room
A peloton bike let me spin right from home
I tried yoga and HIIT, all with just Google Chrome.
There was shortage of masks, putting hospital workers in danger
Yet they kept right along, risking their lives for strangers.
Every night around dusk, to show our support
We’d bang pots, we’d hit pans, a commemoration of sorts.
I recognize I was privileged to stay home and stay safe
While for those on the frontline, it just wasn’t the case.
We depended on them, and they kept us afloat
Our gratitude extends beyond a mere thank you note.
Working in travel, my job slowed then stopped.
My paycheck for a furlough I eventually swapped.
Navigating unemployment was not a small task
Finding zero answers to all of the questions I asked.
Though 34, single, and living at home
I felt lucky I didn’t have kids of my own.
The stories of having to teach them while working
Had my untapped ovaries and uterus actually smirking.
With no offspring demanding too much from my day
I dabbled in painting and lots of golf I did play.
A well-being class taught me to take care of myself
And I finally read my way through my growing bookshelf.
With exploration on hold, I felt stuck in one place
We prepared country-themed dinners, to fill up that space
I never thought I’d miss TSA or all that plane food
And who knew high fives and hugging played such a role in my mood.
After months in lockdown, we slowly emerged
And here’s where behaviors began to diverge
Some continued to worry about public spaces and crowds
Whereas others went to bars, as soon as allowed.
Feeling quite reluctant, so much still a risk
I stuck to the outdoors, even with temps that were brisk
Friends and I’d stroll and kayak or opt to ride bikes
When feeling ambitious we’d go for long hikes.
Public bathrooms were closed, an interesting twist
Which brought an end to events remarkably swift.
Socializing was hard but we all did prove tougher
I routinely met babies with glass doors as a buffer.
We wore masks while in restaurants, shops and on busses
Most adhered to these rules without creating big fusses
Of course, there were those who protested the rule
Their refusal to adhere turned incredibly cruel.
As it caused the pandemic to continue in force
The death toll kept climbing, we felt consumed with remorse
But we still soldiered onward, and kept social distance
The virus surprised us with its serious persistence.
Fall became winter, the holidays drew near
Dad decorated the garage to bring Thanksgiving cheer
We bundled in jackets and dined with the door open
Safety came before warmth, as our space heaters were broken.
With my birthday approaching, I decided to date
It was a venture I soon came to realize I hate.
Thought to be hard pre-pandemic, now it was rough
Within just a few weeks I’d had quite enough.
You had to be mindful, plan everything out
And ask questions about lifestyle to alleviate doubt
As to whether the suitor proved safe or a hazard
It upped your exposure, and all romance was shattered.
Soon news of a vaccine began spreading around
Rumors of who would have access and when did abound
Trump recommended we all find a time to drink bleach
His idiocy led to a second attempt to impeach.
After a year and new president, many started receiving their shots
We felt thankful and experienced a slow loosening of knots
That had grown in our stomachs throughout this ordeal
The fear, stress, and uncertainty had been undeniably real.
I eventually set off on international trips once again
From Kenya to Botswana, I’d mask up and test when
We crossed country borders, or I returned to the states,
Where I dabbled in attending larger events with my mates.
Yet every time we made progress or felt that life had returned
A variant would arise and create much concern.
Be it Delta, or Omicron or another Greek letter
They dashed all our hopes that it all/everything would get better.
It’s now been almost two full years of this life
It has certainly caused us no small amount of strife
But I can’t help but think of the good that’s emerged
As we realized what mattered, the rest could be purged.
People cleaned out their homes, tackling projects long dormant
And strengthened relationships, which were now so important.
Our creativity was encouraged, and flexibility tested
I found a community in which I was fully invested.
These friends kept me busy and were a shoulder when needed
Each helped me reflect and my feelings they heeded
Pollution was minimal, hazy mornings did stop
With no one commuting, C02 levels dropped.
While some improvements were temporary, many’s values did change
Seeking balance and more meaning, our lifestyles we re-arranged
Centering family and friends, and time spent together
We understood that with each other, even the worst we could weather.
There’s no way we’ll know the exact impact of all this
But no doubt it’s a moment history books won’t dismiss.
We’ve laughed, we have cried, and felt all in-between.
And it’s become one of the greatest tests humanity’s ever seen.
