The so-called “waves” of the COVID-19 pandemic look similar to the ride of a roller coaster — but it’s not a ride anyone is enjoying. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
The COVID Coaster
It started as a free-fall
Like one of those rides at Six Flags
Where the bottom drops out
And then it was the (not-so) Fun House
Where everything seemed distorted —
Time
Working from home
When and how to wear a mask
And pants
And then, for a brief summer glimmer
It was like the Lazy River!
Being able to just relax
Breathe the open air
And, for the over-12 crowd at least,
Float along like all was fine
But now — delta
(Which I vaguely remember means ‘change’)
Has reared up
And we seem to be falling (or is it rising)
Again
The down-up up-down spins and lurches
Of this Covid Coaster
And yes, it may seem endless
And yes yes YES it’s exhausting
But that doesn’t mean we can let up —
That we can not use the safety bars
Just because they’re uncomfortable
That we can stand, in places we know we shouldn’t
Yes, it’s exhausting
But perhaps, hopefully,
And working together
Just a bit longer
The ride will coast
To a safe
Stop.
Typewriter Rodeo airs each Friday on Texas Standard. Send us your ideas for a poem on 
