day 1

the strings

of her hospital gown

twist and turn

like the tumbleweed

on a deserted land

——

day 2

muscular pain

in his right shoulder

who knows

who is taking the brunt

of this pandemic?

——

day 3

unfolding

the folds of a green mask

my breath

that absorbs the warmth

of autumn sun

——-

day 4

falling

red maple leaves

outside the glass door

life after knowing

my test results

——-

day 5

migratory birds

fly past the hospital window

towards north

without leaving a clue

of this year’s fate

———

day 6

night duty

I keep on stirring

lemon tea

until my image becomes

a whirlpool

——–

day 7

after the diagnosis

her eye glasses reflect

her optimism

on the doctor’s room’s ceiling

a rainbow

Featured on Tanka Society of America, 20-26 December, 2020