In Midnight Whoosh, It’s Hard to Hear

After “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Zoom in, my children, and you shall hear
The tale of when the virus appeared,
Defining the decade of Twenty-Twenty.
Zoom, don’t gather! We can’t spend a penny
In bars that have shuttered for months or years.

Composite image: Still from a video by Rita J. King reproduced widely through news outlets (see Twitter), and an illustration of Paul Revere’s ride, courtesy U.S. National Archives, 208-FS-3200–5.

Doctors advised: If the virus creeps
By land or sea to New York tonight,
Since anyway the city never sleeps,
Make the Empire State a signal-light,
Red if by land, and white if by sea.
We at the White House brief will be
To televise and to spread the alarm
Through every American city and farm:
Wash your hands to prevent grave harm.

Reporters at the White House brief
Were unconvinced and unimpressed,
And in frustration did protest:
“Things are being said that aren’t true.”
“I know,” sighed Fauci. (To admit is relief.)
“But I can’t push him down.” You want a slugfest?
“Get real: What do you want me to do?”