by decree you and me 

in our home until every 

last cup is cleaned,  every last 

weed pulled, protected by mulch, 

observe it all from behind our fence. 

Months, sequestered, exercise, books, sleep

late, good talk, we won’t walk out the door, to surf, 

we will watch from a distance, keep hospitals 

from two solid seniors taking up space 

where there is none. We’re game

giving it our all, food for 

days to weeks