Pandemic truths 6/04/20
Yesterday I washed my hands 22 times
Soapy bubbles and hot, hot water,
rubbing every cell,
scrubbing under every nail
But old grandfather death
will not dissolve in the lather,
or flow in a gentle swirl;
down the plug-hole
And we cannot wash away
the scars of forests felled
or wash the carbon from the air,
or wash the sea plastic free
Soap and water will not mend degraded soil
or calm the hype of economic growth,
or make our power fossil free
We cannot wash the gap between rich and poor,
or wash new trees into the forest floor,
or wash out our greed seeking more and more
Soap and water will not house those on the streets,
or allow angry minds to meet
or soothe women as they greet
Yesterday I washed my hands 22 times
Soapy bubbles and hot, hot water,
rubbing every cell,
scrubbing under every nail
But old grandfather death
will not dissolve in the lather,
or flow in a gentle swirl;
down the plug-hole
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