Out of an abundance of caution,
we are washing our hands
seventy-six times a day.
Out of an abundance of caution,
we are avoiding large
gatherings of people.
Out of an abundance of caution,
we are trying not
to touch anybody.
Out of an abundance of caution,
we are disinfecting
everything in sight.
Out of an abundance of caution,
we are sneezing and coughing
into our sleeves.
Oh, and out of an abundance of caution,
we will henceforth vote for only
science-affirming, rationally-thinking,
forward-looking, plan-making,
crisis-anticipating, confidence-inspiring
candidates for any and every office.
Michael L. Ruffin is a writer, editor, preacher, and teacher living and working in Georgia. He posts poems on Instagram (@michaell.ruffin) and prose opinions at On the Jericho Road. He is author of Fifty-Seven: A Memoir of Death and Life and of the forthcoming Praying with Matthew. His poetry has appeared at TheNewVerse.News and is forthcoming in 3 Moon Magazine and Rat's Ass Review.