What About Hugs?

What About Hugs?

I used to love hugs.

It was how I said hello and goodbye

in Hawaii. 

It was an island greeting, a mark of our civilization.

Your quick embrace 

soothed me.

Healed my isolation. 

Set me free

to just be me.  

But, now, a wave from across the room will have to suffice.

So, please keep your distance. Don't think twice

Wear a mask

Don't exhale 

cough or sneeze.

You may infect me. In fact, your hug 

could kill, exponentially.

Please walk away

leave me with a smile

a sweet memory

of that once chaste embrace.

Let us chase

the virus away

that nervous taste

must be erased.

Hard to believe

We were once so pure.

But we'll need to endure

amend the rules

set new trends

to keep our friends

old and new.

Because, a hug, 

once so curative now exposes us, my dear. 

And your touch and your breath

will rip us apart.

We have to reinvent our old greetings

keep ourselves alive to survive another day.

Cast off the old unhealthy ways, 

Just imagine, in the future

what our descendants will say 

Hugs, what's that?