Much less will

gently shake buds on trees

from stillness, especially sirens

which cut holes clean through

the air and reach everyone: no

matter: technical difficulties are

the law now with silence

as king of the streets, though

the trains run because

(they need the exercise or may

injure themselves when

they rise without stretching

from this unpredictable

furlough), any permissible

activity is to be cherished in

in all its forms, even if

direction of travel is unknown,

a guess at best, a guest

on some outings; other paths

will be reserved solely

for rabbits, who seek the

first green possibilities:

keep distance; every walker

in our direction could

stampede, the sidewalk rumbles.

Ori Fienberg has work appearing and forthcoming in venues including the Cincinnati Review, Essay Daily, Heavy Feather Review, Pank, Rattle, and Reed Magazine. His collection of poetry Old Habits, New Markets, was chosen as the winner of the Elsewhere 2020 Contest. Ori develops resources to support academic integrity, and teaches poetry writing for Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies. Ori lives in Evanston, with his PWD Millie, and partner, essayist Emily Maloney.