Poem During the Plague : Poem 44

Ellie O’Leary grew up in the village of Freedom, Maine and writes about it from many angles. Her writing has brought her opportunities that include hosting a radio show, organizing a new writing program at an Adirondacks retreat center, and earning an MFA in Maine’s Stonecoast program. She is now a resident of Amesbury, Massachusetts where she serves as Poet Laureate. Her debut poetry collection is Breathe Here (North Country Press, 2020). Her memoir Up Home Again is forthcoming, also with North County Press.

Staying Home, Not Leaving

You stay in

until the bath water

is room temperature,

no more soothing than anything

else that’s wet.

You make meals

using up ingredients

you have,

eating no name dinners

mostly in the color of brown.

No quick baths.

No quick meals.

No quick trips to anywhere.

You’re home,

because you’re old,

no longer essential,

if you ever were.

You have heat, hot water,

internet access,

and a working smart phone.

There’s a virus out there,

but you’re in no immediate danger.

You’re no refugee;

you know having

to stay home

is better than having

to leave.