THE SWITCHEROO
By Rob Crisell
We flattened the curve,
The hospitals thrived,
We gave up our rights,
And tried to survive.
For two months and counting,
We followed the rules.
They shut down our beaches,
Our shops, and our schools;
They shuttered our churches;
We sheltered in place,
We praised first responders,
Wore masks on our face.
We did our part well,
Resigned to our fate.
And then they explained:
“Now shut up and wait.
“Because we don’t trust
You to act properly,
Your freedom’s on hold,
Well, indefinitely.
“But please don’t complain!
We’ll give it back soon,
Though not by mid-May
Or even late June.
“Your savings are gone,
Your business is, too.
You’re drunk and depressed,
The rent’s overdue.
“But after you’re safe
From this horrible scourge,
When testing is done
And new treatments emerge,
We’ll finally restore all
Those freedoms we seized.
So no need to worry—
Till the next big disease.”
