Vanish

Had it vanished without a trace, as advertised

Think of the many graves not dug

The tears not shed and obituaries not written

Had it been gone, like a miracle

Imagine the real miracle of lives not ended

Businesses not closed

Classes not canceled and jobs not lost

Had a liar not posed as a man in charge

Think of the pain not suffered

And strife not endured

Had it only been so

All that followed—vanished

It didn’t vanish; instead

We’ve quietly buried our parents;

Partners; siblings; friends

And plan their Celebrations of Life

For some unknown future time