You never know
where lethality is lurking.
Is it the shopper in aisle ‘B’,
with the toddler, milk, bread,
and feminine hygiene products?
Is it my neighbor leaning over the fence
to ask how my wife and I are doing?
Is it my wife who returned from the beauty shop
or is it me bringing it home from the barbershop?
Is it the mask my dentist has used three times that day
or the clerk handing my sandwich out the window in a bag?
Is it the mailman who sneezed on my mail,
who whistles down Hickory Street
bringing bills and flyers and good cheer?
Is it me whispering this poem in your ear
or is it you thanking me for the warning?
You never know
where lethality is lurking.