Now is not the time
to prove that you can cook
the people who need you to cook for them
are unable to eat even bread
this is the proof you are needed
Now is not the time to carry another’s feelings around on a
silver platter
they can do their own work or
they can blame you
either way: you
don’t even pick up that tray
Now is not the time to protest
or; it might be
you must weigh the explicit cost
of your own presence
you may give over the protection of the people
to the hands of the community
and this good handoff
will still only feel like pain
Now is not the time to judge anything
but your day to day capacity
can I be true to the ones
whose needs eclipse my whole world
without losing my own planetary star
Now is not the time for anything but
laughing
the midnight shakes
your daughter’s cheeks and
standing in the unlit backyard
staring up at the cloud covered moon