Funeral Diva

day pushes its neck through
an opening in a metal garden gate
I identify with how it breaks apart
stands separate
As if refusing confines of a cell
I struggle to understand what this all means
Why I cling to flowers
When the newsfeed reports COVID-19 death after death
and fear
They say the pandemic most affects Black people migrant workers and poor Brown people globally, the aged and those with underlying conditions
And your friends are still dying from AIDS even when you thought hoped and prayed the worst was over
They say the next two weeks will be the pandemic’s greatest peak in America
People are yelling and fighting
in grocery stores
on the street
there is so much fear
And the life you knew good or bad may never return
But finally talking to my father today I
understood my connection to flowers more
Over the years, anticipating his demise he’s given me messages
Said, You’ve never given me any problems
You went off and did things on your own
You did everything all by yourself
You decided to go to New York and never looked back
You’ve made it on your own.
Today we are talking about the pandemic
I try to find masks and hand sanitizer to send to my family
Touched and impressed by my efforts, my father said
You still look out for us
You’re a beautiful girl
I’m glad you’re my daughter
I am here for you
And then I understand what it all means
If we can survive
have equipment means money
support conditions
There are also other possibilities
We can heal.