Face masks are sold out in the city
as everyone fears the coronavirus
and its invisible claws
scratching away at our breath
and the doomsday clock
was moved forward today
ticking towards the end of the world
the scientists say
like characters
in a novel
not to mention the rockslide
and the planes that keep crashing
my kids are scared
but not of these things
they are worried about a tidal wave
even though we don’t live
near the ocean
if we drown
can we do it holding hands
my daughter asks
as we lie in her bed
and I don’t know what else to say
but yes.