Bill Fell 3/25/20 and 4/11, 26/20 and 7/3/20

This poem in multiple parts began March 25, 2020 and part 7 was written on February 25, 2021. It’s been a long year.

1.

First TP run up to Woodland
  Sudden signs of a new time
    Symptoms appearing

2.

A shear burnt-orange linen tube stretched overhead
This “collar” then pulled back up; masks in-breath, out-breath
Reaffix glasses and ready, to mix minds and hearts; a
Mild itch upper cheek, below lower lip 

Fetching Ibuprophen for Marian at CVS,
Scarved to the hilt; my fellows similarly clad
Albeit in stylized masks of shapes and colors
Just like me, and not 

Forgetting to check the TP -- paper towels shelf,
Just another thread I choose to study from my perch
Mild itch at the nose bridge, cheeks; no fog
Just as it is 

What’s changed in this cashier’s life, I ask?  Besides
Plexy-glass separators, the “stay-back” stripes on the carpet
Grabbing the receipt, out the door to perfect Spring
. . .  but for the lack of rain and snow this Winter

Calm abiding and paths of non-rejecting; possible
Studies and practices during this lockdown
Blessed be the teachers, students and hosts, and
The servers of essential services 

Sincere appreciations amongst all the stresses
These bourgeois sufferings being my lot
A shifting scene of storylines, insubstantial, but
Only when I will allow this inspiration

3.

Washing hands?  Sure, and I’ll have my own towel
    Thanks for the nudge
Wearing a mask?  Sure, but I’m a slow adopter
    I dress for the middle  
Staying put?  Sure, another habit to suspend
    I don’t lack for ways to connect  

4.

So enters the clown-in-chief
    Where will he take us today?
        We’re living in a meme-fest

5.

Getting up to leave 
Bending down to drop a kiss
Atop a dear mom’s head.
Caught in my own drama
I let distancing lapse, unilaterally
Redefining our germ circle

Driving off . . . .  OUCH
Second thoughts, best thoughts?

6.

—–Forwarded Message—–

On Feb 14, 2021, at 6:17 PM, Bill Fell <bill….@*****> wrote:

Hi Alex,
Any update on your dad?  Also, I’m in contact with Darleen T….. and will let her know the status in case Harvey asks.  The three of us all worked at PERS together in the 70’s.
Bill

—– Forwarded Message —–

On Feb 14, 2021, at 6:20 PM, Alexander <****@…..> wrote:

Bill,

I do have sad news to report. As of 5:30 PST today Harvey passed away due to COVID complications. 

-Alex

—– Forwarded Message —–

 On Feb 14, 2021, at 8:59 PM, Bill Fell <bill….@****> wrote:

Wow.  Alex, I am so sorry to hear of this.  

Your dad was a good man.  He hired me into State service 46 years ago this week, and he was my first supervisor.  He taught me a lot during the five years we worked together at the retirement system.  Harvey was the opposite of the sycophant.  He pissed off our Division Chief and other management by taking the side of the retirement applicant in his interpretation of the Public Employees Retirement Law.  And Harvey new the benefits portion of the PERL possibly better than anyone in the department.  Despite his knowledge and his commitment to the members, he was not rewarded by his superiors who held the reins for promotions.  We had many conversations over the years about his attitude (sarcasm?) and his unwillingness to leave it alone.  I respected him for that as did most of his peers.  He was a good manager and a great boss.

Aside from office politics, our political leanings were identical which was critical to keeping in contact over the years.  I will miss our lunches.  Also, we always talked about our respective household situations, and I think my advice was always heard and uniformly ignored, which is probably for the best.  His connection with you was no doubt the best aspect of his life, Eleanor and Alex.  I’m sorry the two of you will never get to England together, as given his obvious mobility issues, I suspected that would have been his last visit to his beloved Great Britain.

Let me know if you have any needs.  And thank you Alex for being a good kid to my dear friend.  

Bill       

7.
Vaccinations

A snake of sedans slithers
  Through pilons, and lime and green vests
    Spirited volunteers, compliant citizens
      Smiles and thank you’s all around 

We of the herd, heard the call
  Here we are getting in line
    Spouses CAN get shot in a single lap
      Blessed be the rule breakers