Day 40----

Breathes inside a mask are never quite enough--
walk faster--
get there and back--
is this six feet? Before, behind and to my side?--
I've never known. Maybe they know--
they do not. Did I remember to smile?--
so they can see it in my eyes?
Did they communicate all I cannot with my mouth before or now--
my ally-ship?
I'm not afraid.
This distance is for you and me.
My gratitude for your culture of mask wearing.
My you were right and we were wrong.
The fact that I will always wear a mask for any illness now on.
My neighbor, I miss our silent companionships.
Our nods on sun-baked sidewalk homes for cats.
over our children's play, while we sit fearlessly side by side.
All that in one split hold of eye--
then back to measuring the distances
between you and me and lobster homes.