Hello wicked virus - why us?

Is it convenience or purpose?

Was it our teeming or our meaning

That drew you to our breath?

Were you seeking hosts

Or directed to make ghosts?

Ad hoc floating by

Or aiming from on high?

We've hunkered down in our homes

Scanning blue light or black and white tomes,

Twitching from inner electricity

As there's no energy in our city.

And jammed grocery aisles,

Pushed carts of paper piles,

Soups, wines and sanitizers

To clean butts and counters.

Not knowing your intent,

Prior plans came and went.

Only seeing your trajectory,

We're making up our story.

Day by day is our watching,

Checking news, hoping, praying

That our leaders' vision

Reflects benevolent mission.

For scant is our confidence,

Based on weighty prior evidence,

That those with most power

From truth will not cower.

Perhaps that is your point.

We are called to bugle the hunt

And lift to higher priority

The needs of ALL in society.

For you don't discriminate

Tween moneyed and destitute,

Making each able to share

Sickness, dread and fear.

The counterpoint, you clarify,

Is opening each and every eye

To seeing our need and ability

To spread care, compassion agility.

Originally from the east coast – Georgia, Maryland – Emily Hartnell is a 33-year resident of Evanston. After her third move from the East to the Midwest (a marriage, a degree from Northwestern University and a job change), she figured she’d stay. And very glad she did.

In 2019 Emily retired from five decades of full-time work in business management. She told herself she’d balance her life by weighing her creative urges. After cleaning out all her closets, touring Australia, meeting a wonderful man and walking a lot with friends, she’s been dabbling in photography, taking drumming lessons and writing poetry.

The poetry is new for Emily. It’s fueled by emotions and expanded awareness prompted by the challenges and joys of everyday life. And more time in her life to pay attention.

“Hello Virus” came to her in the first months of the pandemic as we closed our doors and covered our faces, wide-eyed at the awesome and scary power of invisible things.