March two thousand and twenty, 

Was the beginning of life as we now know. 

Changes in rules at a government level, 

Led to sabotage of relationships and foes. 

Six-foot distance 

Is what now surrounds me. 

Respirators, gowns, and gloves 

Is all that I am able to see. 

Human lives, are as fragile as glass. 

I’m expected to care for them. 

One too many last breaths, 

From ladies and gentlemen. 

Alarms begin to ring and 

Lead to anxiousness in staff. 

Vital equipment is taken, 

And run down the COVID path. 

Pulse Oximeter begins to drop. 

Increased the oxygen. 

Breathlessness as silent 

As a whisper in the wind. 

My resident can’t breathe. 

He calls out in pain. 

I don’t know what else to do. 

Tears fall like rain. 

A code status is changed. 

From Full Code to 

Do Not resuscitate. 

And the family knows there’s no more to do. 

One family member at a time, 

That is all that can enter the room. 

In order to say their last words 

And their faces fall to gloom.

I walk out of the room 

And close the door behind me. 

Give the family their time. 

And try to gather my mind.