The Virus

The virus descends on the little town

like a yellow cloud and curls itself

about the streets while the people

hide in their rat-trap homes and

clutch their children

clutch their toilet paper

clutch their guns

clutch their internet news

and statistics

clutch their cans of beans

and their bottled water

clutch their crucifix

hearts thump in 2/2 time

as the virus settles in around them

like fear, playing the role

of a cat

with yellow claws.

Reviews

[usefulcat9]

Wow. The fear is palpable in the words.
Clutching at things that we hope will save us and ease our fears.

[JR]

Yes, I’ll exactly. Like the cat just toying with us...

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Stark, harsh, true words spoken here, JR. Great simile use, dramatic repetition and artful analogy. You tell it like it is. The virus, like the sinister cat. And we, like the trapped rats. Excellent write.

[JR]

Thank you! It hit the right note for me when I was writing it... seemed to capture the feeling of being trapped.