What to Do

What to do if you are tired,

or anxious,

or scared.

Pound a chicken breast

down to a 1/4” thick

with the bottom of a Mason jar.

Spread it with mayonnaise

and sprinkle with panko.

Eat a second chocolate chip cookie

and pretend it is the first.

Shake hands with strangers

with the determination of

diving into a cold ocean.

Imagine alternate realities

where you took advantage

of every opportunity that presented itself,

and you never made a fool of yourself,

and you didn’t turn away other people’s love.

Eat lunch outside

by yourself

on a marble step.

Don’t check the mousetraps

in your car.

Drink a glass of cold juice

with ice.

Imagine you are still young

and not tired and sore

and finding hard to keep your eyes open.

Relish the quiet extra moments,

the accidental touches,

the whispered words,

the moment you were remembered.

Take care and be well,

Leo

Big egg, old chicken. Small egg, new chicken.

Dean at Home: The Pandemic Blog