at the cusp
of midwest coronavirus
inside the Carlinville Walmart
was a lady
trussed in surgical mask
our eyes locked
for a few seconds
as our carts rolled
past each other
in total silence
at a perceived safe
six foot distance
the associates seemed
more polite than usual
as though they knew
the funeral was on hold
Wanda Morrow Clevenger lives in Hettick, Illinois, population 200, give or take. Her seven published chapbooks can be found on Amazon.