By Ben Greenman
@2020 (obviously)
The first day that you’re stuck at home
It’s nice to wake up first and roam
Around the house all by yourself
And get the cookies from the shelf
And go back to your bed before
Your parents open up your door.
The second day that you’re inside
You act like you’re a nature guide.
“Come with me,” you say to Dad
“Here’s a giant lily pad.”
Then you burp loud, like a croak.
(You and Mom made up this joke.)
The third day that the door stays shut
You want to see your best friend, but
Mom and Dad explain to you
That she is safe in her house, too.
Instead, you call her on the phone
Her voice helps you feel less alone.
The fourth day of no going out
Is getting harder—there’s no doubt.
Kids aren’t in playgrounds or in schools.
They’re not fair, these stay-home rules!
Though after dinner’s not so bad
A board game with your mom and dad.
The fifth day everyone’s together
Is hard because there’s nasty weather.
Thunder! Lightning! Hours of rain.
You get to eat a candy cane
And after Mom works and Dad cooks
You read not one but two whole books.
The sixth day feels like the first—
You wake up early with a burst
Of spirit and imagination.
You play Bank Teller, then Gas Station,
Then Drive-Thru, then Shopping Cart.
The trick’s to stay six feet apart.
The seventh day of quarantine
You’re getting used to the routine:
Wake up, breakfast, nature walk,
When work time comes, try not to talk,
Lunch, games, dinner, bed, and then
Start over with day one again.
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