half-vaccinated

starting to breathe easier

walking around 

half-vaccinated 

stores opening

gatherings growing

restrictions and spirits lifting 

but not yet lifted

what a world 

we have now 

where enemies were invisible 

and friends were threats

where hope is a shot in the arm

how long will touch feel like a

risk worth taking?

how long to recover from this

new strain of fear?

the virus of peril in the safest of places 

how long til that virus 

gets its vaccine?