221B: A Pandemic Christmas Carol

221B: A Pandemic Christmas Carol

by Ann Caddell

Here dwell together still two men of note

Who never lived and so can never die.

But we, alas, must keep ourselves remote

Lest Covid make our lungs go all awry.

But still the game's afoot for those who know

The use of laptop, microphone, and mouse.

To Zoom calls and to webinars we go,

And never even have to leave the house.

So let us now, with masks looped round our ears,

Hang Christmas garlands on this fabled street,

And send each other love and Christmas cheer,

From distances no less than six whole feet.

Here, though the virus rage, these two survive,

And wish us joy from eighteen ninety-five.