For the collection: 'Life in the time of #COVID'
the man in a shirt
the color of the sky
it has several pockets
embroidered detail like lace
guayabera, the Cubans call it
the pockets are empty
his back pocket bulges
a wallet fat with business cards and notes
not with currency
he stares forlornly at the shelves
his favorites usually are there in abundance
today only scuffed beige metal
his daughter on the coast called
take care of yourself, she’d said
if it was a hurricane, he’d know what to do
this could last until Easter
or summer
he never once bought bottled water
why pay for what was free?
would be like buying dirt
but today he wondered if he was missing something
their buggies piled high
better get some food for the dog
and some tuna for the cat
in case this thing lasts longer than we think
does that lady really need all that?
stacked higher than she can see
just in case! she chirps
he’s just trying to live now
can’t worry about the future
widower he’d checked on the census
that he found in his letter box
he wonders if he’ll see another survey
or get to check another box
Bryant Smith is a professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Nicholls State University in South Louisiana who has only recently began writing poetry. He meets biweekly with a group of colleagues who share and give feedback on their poems.
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