Thank you, COVID!

It has been truly a pleasure.

You brought suspicion, frustration

And distrust for good measure.

Merry Christmas, COVID!

For the panic and fear

That I will forever connect

To all holiday cheer.

And Thank you, COVID!

For a year most enchanted!

And for the scarcity of goods

That I’ve been taking for granted!

Oh, Thank you, dear COVID

For lines at the stores,

And restaurant closures

And pubs with locked doors.

I owe you one, COVID,

For the the truth I now know:

My life was too happy

Just one year ago.

And COVID, I promise,

(with a sigh most ironic)

To be distant and social

(How oxymoronic!)

All my best to you COVID,

It is high time we part.

(At least until fall

When I fear you’ll restart.)

Barry Meade lives in Ledyard.

The Times is offering local readers a chance to share their poetry written during or related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. To contribute, email times@theday.com.