The Pandemic of 2020

It is not by accident that embedded in this poem are lines from two different songs:

"People" by Barbara Streisand, 1964

"Love the One You're With" by Stephen Stills, 1970

People Who Need People

Inspiration and innovation go hand-in-hand and so do people,

People who have the skill and initiative to help other people,

People who need people, finding the comfort they crave,

From front-line warriors who are tirelessly brave,

Inspiration is drawn from others who are giving their all,

People who get up and try harder when duty is their call,

Healthcare workers and other essential personnel come to mind,

Researchers too are relentlessly innovative in their pursuit to find:

A test, a therapy, a vaccine; and thus, giving us hope,

Especially as we near the end of our proverbial rope,

Hope that rises from the ashes like the phoenix always does,

Hope for a brighter future where the eagle flies with the dove,

May the Pandemic of 2020 be known as a coming together,

A testament to our ability to push through any kind of weather,

A revival of our nation’s soul and purpose; putting aside pettiness,

Exchanging it for strength in crisis; accelerated readiness,

A divided, partisan nation, was forced to stand as one,

To fight a common enemy, every daughter and every son,

Our “new normal” has forever changed our lives,

Thank you for being resilient Americans-willing and wise,

Staying home, wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands,

It has all been worth it to stop the spread across our lands,

Though many have already lost their lives to virus COVID 19,

To those we pay tribute and grieve the many losses still unforeseen,

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures,

Yet in our nation of family and friends, we have found hidden treasures.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  4/20/2020