My Birthday During Covid

MY BIRTHDAY DURING COVID The laughter’s the same my forty-fifth year, with a softer refrain for the birthday song. My forty-fifth year, my coworkers gather for the birthday song, ten-person skeleton crew. My coworkers gather six feet apart, ten-person skeleton crew extending beams of friendship. Six feet apart, their eyes shine extending beams of friendship across the social distance. Their eyes shine as their song floats across the social distance through sun-filled windows. As their song floats, I remember this refrain through sun-filled windows by friends for birthdays past. I remember this refrain, missing the warmth of hugs by friends for birthdays past like ribbons on gifts. Missing the warmth of hugs, I still bask in gazes and smiles like ribbons on gifts. The smaller chorus is clearer! I still bask in gazes and smiles. With a softer refrain, the smaller chorus is clearer. The laughter’s the same.