As I sit back in my enclosure
Keeping the world at a distance
Finding ways, new and old
To engage my mind and soul.
Excuse me…as I spare a thought…
For those all around me
Who I did not notice
For those who face me daily
Who I had no time to see
For those whose help I relied on
Who I failed to acknowledge
For those essential to me
Who I took for granted.
Excuse me
For it took me a while…to walk a mile…in your shoes
Cause I was busy
Stocking, cleaning and worrying
Tweeting, baking and bingeing.
Excuse me
For I did not help
While you lugged loads, big and heavy
On your back and mind.
Excuse me
For I had the audacity to complain
Bemoan the loss of my cozy life
While you put yourself on the front line
At the mercy of an invisible enemy
With none a weapon in your hands
In the face of the unknown
With none a shield on your body.
Excuse me
For the privilege of my depression
For I had the time, to sit and dwell
While you worked all day and night
Through heaven and hell.
Excuse me
For as the days went by, my mind numbed
Unable to separate,
The stories from the news
The deaths from the numbers
The humanity from the statistics.
Excuse me
For my furrowed brows and cynicism
For my impatience and frustration
For I was unable to think…think beyond myself
My thoughts composed of what I saw
My feelings were saved for loved ones
My fears were reserved for what was coming
I stayed within the confines…the confines of my prison…which was now my cocoon.
I was unable to think…unable to think about you.
While I lagged, you soared.
Beyond the realms of my understanding
Beyond what I could expect from you
Beyond what I could thank you for.
Excuse me
For I wonder
Wonder how much worse things would be
If it weren’t for you.
Excuse me
For I feel so lucky
To have you in the battlefields
While we huddle together
Albeit at a distance.
Excuse me
For I am convinced
That you deserve more
More than the assurance of a paycheck
More than the comfort of a pat on the back
More than the warmth of a hug
More than the flight of fame and money
You deserve to be paraded
As we stand by…in salute.
A humble ode to all the Frontline workers, the Grocery Stockers, Doctors, Nurses, Police and Firemen who are working tirelessly in the face of grave danger to keep us all fed, healthy and safe.
