As a number, I liked the year 2020.
2 zeroes, 2 twos
Simple.
The numbers added together making four.
Simple.
Four numbers, no ‘1’s, still 4.
Simple.
Half the numbers do nothing but hold place.
Simple.
I liked the pleasant curve of the digits ‘2’ and ‘0’
as my pen makes full arcs and half arcs on the page.
Simple.
2020 C.E. the year of impinging gravitas.
The weight of the world felt like one would expect
the weight of the world to feel like;
oppressive, confining, defining.
The classes life-coach Micky Mouse offered no longer hold up
and Bobby McFerrin’s anthem to happiness has been banned
in thirty-five states and five United States territories.
But not the District of Columbia.
The combined voices of the Senate ensemble, the House chorale,
the Supreme Court quartet, and White House soloist sang
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” as the new national anthem.