Is the Pandemic Over?

Has the pandemic come to stay?

‘Good morning!’

The animated shout from my neighbor pierces my hazy semi-consciousness

I scramble for my phone; what day, time, or month is it?

The bright screen light forms a kaleidoscope adding to my confusion

‘Good morning!’

Anger wells in me as I scramble for my facemask

I see him through the tinted glass door, his nose and mouth pressed against the screen

Trying to peer through, moisture from his breath causing fog on the door.

I stare in horror, angry at this desecration, afraid of the ramifications of this singular act

Nothing short of an invasion, a contamination of my sacred dwelling.

‘Good morning!’

I refuse to open it as I watch him standing there

There’s something different about him, yes I haven’t actually seen him up close in two months, no thanks to the pandemic

Yet there’s something different, something not quite right,

I feel like screaming, move back! At least 2 meters!

But there’s something about him, something different.

‘Good morning!’

He has had a shave, but that’s not all that strikes me as I run my hands through my bushy afro

I look at his well-dry-cleaned office clothes, his shoes buffed and glimmering in the morning or is it afternoon sun

He is still peering through the door. I notice he is holding a newspaper.

He is pointing excitedly at the paper

 I turn my back to him and return to my bedroom.

Can anything be good about this morning?