Bless You

Bless you, I say
As her sneeze gives way
To a fit
I cringe inside as I try to hide
The fear that I’ve

Been contaminated
Infected
Afflicted

I’m surprised that I
Haven’t been taken to task
For not wearing a mask
But I forgot it today

In the way that I forgot to match my socks

Running on exhaustion
And expectations
Bad breath and bus fumes
O de public transportation

Political climate
Climate change
Loose change
Another stop

I shuffle through
A tightly packed group
Pass by patient zero
Holding my breath
As she spasms on

Bless you, I say
As I exit
And I mean it

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