I Am Alone

In the beginning, it was not too bad

Stay at home

Do not travel out

If you must stray, mask your identity

Distance yourself socially, seventy-two inches

An arbitrary amount

No visitors allowed

Lock your doors

My silver hair reveals my risk

Essentially, I am not needed

I am alone

It was not too bad, in the beginning

Hidden in my favorite chair with a bottomless mug at my side

My fingers flash across the keyboard

Dreaming the Great American Novel

Sans endless interruptions

Straying from favored chair to over-stuffed sofa

I binge watch romantic comedies,

(Tell no one, I plea)

and apocalyptic sagas

 Until now becomes tomorrow

Potato chip dust covers my shirt

Being alone, pants are optional

Alexa serenades me with golden oldies

As I eat breakfast for supper

Meat without veggies

Chocolate morsels topping every meal

Two glasses of brandy

Shame on me

It is not too bad 

Being alone

Days grow into weeks

Sunday or Monday

Who really knows?

My novel untouched, glares accusingly at the vacant chair

In my remoteness, I have misplaced the remote

No images

No sounds

Alexa left me too

My cupboard is bare

I wander out, donned in anonymity

Seventy-two inches has never looked so far

No meat

Heaps of veggies

If I must

I return Home

Carrying my bag, wearing my disguise

Shuffle, shuffle

Day seventy-two

Alone begot Loneliness


Painless labor

It was not too bad

Before
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Spence Sr Avatar
July 16, 2021 at 10:28 PM
Congratulations, and excellent poem, Jim. I love the flow of the words and the impact of the message. I am very proud of you and your poetic proliferation. The descriptive excellence is lovely and sends terrific images. The theme of "Alone" stands out, and the tone moves the piece down the page with much grace. Great job! Have a fantastic day, and God's richest grace and blessings to you always. –Professor, Ambassador, Dr. Joseph S. Spence Sr. (Epulaeryu Master)!
Bush Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 10:30 AM
Hello Jim, Nicely done. Point well taken. We're being played Day by day While being paid To stay away. You've gotten to the core of the problem. I'll be watching you.
De Beaulieu Avatar
April 14, 2021 at 12:36 PM
Hello Jim Hirtle, so nice to meet you. loneliness is felt by a lot of people. I feel the loneliness to. The key is to keep busy. Always find something to do. enjoy your day my friend.
Hirtle Avatar
April 19, 2021 at 7:49 AM
Hello Darlene De Beaulieu (a fantastically lyrical name!). Finding something to do has been challenged by pandemic posturing, but I agree it serves as a fine antidote.
Sambourne Avatar
April 12, 2021 at 3:49 PM
Another stellar poem. I look forward to more of your remarkable verses. Be well. Brian
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