Pandemic Pantoum

by Lesléa Newman

Is today Monday or Tuesday?

Are you taking a shower today?
Has anyone fed the cat?

Would you like me to make you some breakfast?

Are you taking a shower today?
Is it time to do laundry again?
Would you like me to make you some breakfast?

Are you getting dressed today?

Is it time to do laundry again?

Are the plates in the dishwasher clean?

Are you getting dressed today?

Would you like me to give you a haircut?

Are the plates in the dishwasher clean?

What time are you Zooming today?

Would you like me to give you a haircut?

Would you like me to make you some lunch?

What time are you Zooming today?

Would you like to go for a walk?

Would you like me to make you some lunch?

Did you speak to your family today?

Would you like to go for a walk?

Is it time to order some groceries?

Did you speak to your family today?

Who ate the last piece of chocolate?

Is it time to order some groceries?

Did you remember to wipe off the mail?

Who ate the last piece of chocolate?
Are we running out of TP?

Did you remember to wipe off the mail?

Would you like me to make you some dinner?

Are we running out of TP?

Can we please stop watching the news?

Would you like me to make you some dinner?

Are you ready to go to sleep?

Can we please stop watching the news?

Would you make me a snack before bed?

Are you ready to go to sleep?

Is today Monday or Tuesday?

Would you make me a snack before bed?

Has anyone fed the cat?

* * * * *

Lesléa Newman is the creator of 75 books for readers of all ages including the poetry collections, Still Life With Buddy, October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard, I Carry My Mother, and I Wish My Father (forthcoming, Headmistress Press). Her literary awards include poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Artists Foundation. From 2008 - 2010, she served as the poet laureate of Northampton, MA. Currently she teaches at Spalding University’s School of Creative and Professional Writing.