No year

There is no year

That is, no ness,

no real, no hope

There are things, of course

stronger strains of novel corona virus, swifter spreading

s, as US patriots swarm the Capitol

to demonstrate who really is in charge

some garbed in fur and sporting horns — they preen

pose for pix, shout slogans, brandish bats, shields, zip ties

(primed for kidnap, not 'just' mayhem)

assault guards, wreck and pillage

terrorize elected servants of the people

use at-hand fire extinguisher to cosh and kill a too-resistant cop

all done with buoyant ease, with near impunity

And here, even here, in woke Vancouver,

something , as local 'storm the Capitol' Trumpists

not that many but raucous, prancing, smirking bold

show up downtown to proudly show support

with blithe assaults — face-punch journalist

for daring to be 'media', daring to take photographs

(so, not quite that proud, not quite that showy)

strictures — lockdown extended yet another month —

even extended Orthodox Christmas season can't outlast it now

spike in gun/gang violence — three deaths here in one weekend

police respond, announce gang affiliation is not a "good lifestyle" (?)

curfew laws — now sweeping Canada from east to west

soon those who work from home and have no dog to walk

will live in mode of house arrest or be arrested, fined, and shamed

by law enforcement, egged on by eager peering citizen, no doubt

vaccines — that may work well, or somewhat well, but

one can't know as it's all and "we are learning!"

— well no, ly revealed — hypocrisy, as leaders

first scold sinful citizens for celebration hunger

second urge all to stay at home alone, keep safe our most-at-risk

third decree "essential travel only," to bend that covid curve

fourth jet off for "essential" holidays abroad

fifth fly back home, say sorry for "mistakes" (oopsy)

frenzy! from people angry that they're not placed first in line for new covid vaccines — UNFAIR!

frenzy! from people angry that others are not keen enough to get new vaccines first — SELFISH!

frenzy! about vaccines not being effective against new mutant strains —

UNKNOWABLE!

frenzy! about people saying vaccine might not work against new strains —

INTOLERABLE!

frenzy! born of frenzy — what about the impacts on our mental health? —

(unhelpful)

Who knew?

❦