Plague Poems
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Plague Poems – The Three-Hundredth Week
When we saw each other in the elevator my work friend declared that she had survived Thanksgiving with her family, but her declaration came between coughs and in a hoarse voice, which made me wonde…
librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com
Please, my friend,
take note
that you have lived
through
six years
of Covid-19.
And
please, my friend,
take care
for you are living
through
year seven
of Covid-19.
*
A compendium of the 300th week of plague poems…
librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/p...
take note
that you have lived
through
six years
of Covid-19.
And
please, my friend,
take care
for you are living
through
year seven
of Covid-19.
*
A compendium of the 300th week of plague poems…
librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/p...
If you are wondering
why so few people
are concerned about
the scent of smoke,
why so few people
are concerned about
that overwhelming
scent of smoke, keep in mind:
multiple studies have found
that a Covid infection
can cause lasting damage
to people’s sense of smell.
why so few people
are concerned about
the scent of smoke,
why so few people
are concerned about
that overwhelming
scent of smoke, keep in mind:
multiple studies have found
that a Covid infection
can cause lasting damage
to people’s sense of smell.
December 16, 2025 at 12:04 AM
If you are wondering
why so few people
are concerned about
the scent of smoke,
why so few people
are concerned about
that overwhelming
scent of smoke, keep in mind:
multiple studies have found
that a Covid infection
can cause lasting damage
to people’s sense of smell.
why so few people
are concerned about
the scent of smoke,
why so few people
are concerned about
that overwhelming
scent of smoke, keep in mind:
multiple studies have found
that a Covid infection
can cause lasting damage
to people’s sense of smell.
Recent changes
to FDA regulations
have nearly doubled
the amount of formaldehyde
considered safe to inhale,
so if you were looking
for yet another reason
to wear a mask
there you have it.
to FDA regulations
have nearly doubled
the amount of formaldehyde
considered safe to inhale,
so if you were looking
for yet another reason
to wear a mask
there you have it.
December 15, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Recent changes
to FDA regulations
have nearly doubled
the amount of formaldehyde
considered safe to inhale,
so if you were looking
for yet another reason
to wear a mask
there you have it.
to FDA regulations
have nearly doubled
the amount of formaldehyde
considered safe to inhale,
so if you were looking
for yet another reason
to wear a mask
there you have it.
When you hear
that clinicians in the UK
are saying that due
to the “super flu”
that “this
is the worst winter
they have seen,”
it is essential for you
to keep in mind:
that this winter
is just beginning,
alas, this “worst winter”
is only just beginning.
that clinicians in the UK
are saying that due
to the “super flu”
that “this
is the worst winter
they have seen,”
it is essential for you
to keep in mind:
that this winter
is just beginning,
alas, this “worst winter”
is only just beginning.
December 15, 2025 at 8:41 PM
When you hear
that clinicians in the UK
are saying that due
to the “super flu”
that “this
is the worst winter
they have seen,”
it is essential for you
to keep in mind:
that this winter
is just beginning,
alas, this “worst winter”
is only just beginning.
that clinicians in the UK
are saying that due
to the “super flu”
that “this
is the worst winter
they have seen,”
it is essential for you
to keep in mind:
that this winter
is just beginning,
alas, this “worst winter”
is only just beginning.
Listen!
If you act now
there is still time
to order them a gift
and have it arrive
before Christmas.
And, listen!
If you act now
there is still time
to take precautions
so you don’t get sick
before Christmas.
If you act now
there is still time
to order them a gift
and have it arrive
before Christmas.
And, listen!
If you act now
there is still time
to take precautions
so you don’t get sick
before Christmas.
December 15, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Listen!
If you act now
there is still time
to order them a gift
and have it arrive
before Christmas.
And, listen!
If you act now
there is still time
to take precautions
so you don’t get sick
before Christmas.
If you act now
there is still time
to order them a gift
and have it arrive
before Christmas.
And, listen!
If you act now
there is still time
to take precautions
so you don’t get sick
before Christmas.
The start of Covid’s 7th year
is the perfect time to revisit
the pandemic hobbies
you have abandoned:
you can get back to baking
and puzzles,
you can get back to reading
and calling your friends;
and you can even get back
into doing what you can
to protect other people.
is the perfect time to revisit
the pandemic hobbies
you have abandoned:
you can get back to baking
and puzzles,
you can get back to reading
and calling your friends;
and you can even get back
into doing what you can
to protect other people.
December 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
The start of Covid’s 7th year
is the perfect time to revisit
the pandemic hobbies
you have abandoned:
you can get back to baking
and puzzles,
you can get back to reading
and calling your friends;
and you can even get back
into doing what you can
to protect other people.
is the perfect time to revisit
the pandemic hobbies
you have abandoned:
you can get back to baking
and puzzles,
you can get back to reading
and calling your friends;
and you can even get back
into doing what you can
to protect other people.
When I asked
how her last day went
the masked professor told me
that many students
had said kind words,
but what had mattered most,
what had made it all worth it:
was that her masked student
(her only masked student)
had told her that her class
had made them feel less alone.
how her last day went
the masked professor told me
that many students
had said kind words,
but what had mattered most,
what had made it all worth it:
was that her masked student
(her only masked student)
had told her that her class
had made them feel less alone.
December 12, 2025 at 10:41 PM
When I asked
how her last day went
the masked professor told me
that many students
had said kind words,
but what had mattered most,
what had made it all worth it:
was that her masked student
(her only masked student)
had told her that her class
had made them feel less alone.
how her last day went
the masked professor told me
that many students
had said kind words,
but what had mattered most,
what had made it all worth it:
was that her masked student
(her only masked student)
had told her that her class
had made them feel less alone.
Please, my friend,
take note
that you have lived
through
six years
of Covid-19.
And
please, my friend,
take care
for you are living
through
year seven
of Covid-19.
*
A compendium of the 300th week of plague poems…
librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/p...
take note
that you have lived
through
six years
of Covid-19.
And
please, my friend,
take care
for you are living
through
year seven
of Covid-19.
*
A compendium of the 300th week of plague poems…
librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/p...
Plague Poems – The Three-Hundredth Week
When we saw each other in the elevator my work friend declared that she had survived Thanksgiving with her family, but her declaration came between coughs and in a hoarse voice, which made me wonde…
librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Please, my friend,
take note
that you have lived
through
six years
of Covid-19.
And
please, my friend,
take care
for you are living
through
year seven
of Covid-19.
*
A compendium of the 300th week of plague poems…
librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/p...
take note
that you have lived
through
six years
of Covid-19.
And
please, my friend,
take care
for you are living
through
year seven
of Covid-19.
*
A compendium of the 300th week of plague poems…
librarianshipwreck.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/p...
I know a professor
who makes sure to bring
donuts
to the last day of classes.
And
I know a professor
who makes sure to bring
candy
to the last day of classes.
And
I know a masked professor
who makes sure not to bring
viruses
to the last day of classes.
who makes sure to bring
donuts
to the last day of classes.
And
I know a professor
who makes sure to bring
candy
to the last day of classes.
And
I know a masked professor
who makes sure not to bring
viruses
to the last day of classes.
December 12, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I know a professor
who makes sure to bring
donuts
to the last day of classes.
And
I know a professor
who makes sure to bring
candy
to the last day of classes.
And
I know a masked professor
who makes sure not to bring
viruses
to the last day of classes.
who makes sure to bring
donuts
to the last day of classes.
And
I know a professor
who makes sure to bring
candy
to the last day of classes.
And
I know a masked professor
who makes sure not to bring
viruses
to the last day of classes.
My friend who studies
politics says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friend who studies
the climate says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friend who studies
epidemiology says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friends who studies
says at least
some of us
still think.
politics says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friend who studies
the climate says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friend who studies
epidemiology says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friends who studies
says at least
some of us
still think.
December 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
My friend who studies
politics says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friend who studies
the climate says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friend who studies
epidemiology says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friends who studies
says at least
some of us
still think.
politics says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friend who studies
the climate says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friend who studies
epidemiology says
it’s worse
than we think.
My friends who studies
says at least
some of us
still think.
If you are wondering
how it could be
that the surge of hospitalizations
(due to flu in England)
is leading the NHS to warn
of the “worst-case scenario”
this winter, just remember:
that far too many people
cannot imagine a worse scenario
than being asked
to wear a mask again.
how it could be
that the surge of hospitalizations
(due to flu in England)
is leading the NHS to warn
of the “worst-case scenario”
this winter, just remember:
that far too many people
cannot imagine a worse scenario
than being asked
to wear a mask again.
December 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
If you are wondering
how it could be
that the surge of hospitalizations
(due to flu in England)
is leading the NHS to warn
of the “worst-case scenario”
this winter, just remember:
that far too many people
cannot imagine a worse scenario
than being asked
to wear a mask again.
how it could be
that the surge of hospitalizations
(due to flu in England)
is leading the NHS to warn
of the “worst-case scenario”
this winter, just remember:
that far too many people
cannot imagine a worse scenario
than being asked
to wear a mask again.
My colleague who is committed
to not getting sick this winter
keeps asking for advice,
and so I tell her
about the tools I use,
but as she rejects
each and every suggestion
I am reminded
that there is a difference
between having the tools
and having the willingness
to use them.
to not getting sick this winter
keeps asking for advice,
and so I tell her
about the tools I use,
but as she rejects
each and every suggestion
I am reminded
that there is a difference
between having the tools
and having the willingness
to use them.
December 11, 2025 at 10:35 PM
My colleague who is committed
to not getting sick this winter
keeps asking for advice,
and so I tell her
about the tools I use,
but as she rejects
each and every suggestion
I am reminded
that there is a difference
between having the tools
and having the willingness
to use them.
to not getting sick this winter
keeps asking for advice,
and so I tell her
about the tools I use,
but as she rejects
each and every suggestion
I am reminded
that there is a difference
between having the tools
and having the willingness
to use them.
I hear
there’s a lot of flu
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of Covid
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of measles
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of RSV
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of “something”
out there.
So here
there’s a lot to be said
for not going out.
there’s a lot of flu
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of Covid
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of measles
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of RSV
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of “something”
out there.
So here
there’s a lot to be said
for not going out.
December 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I hear
there’s a lot of flu
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of Covid
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of measles
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of RSV
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of “something”
out there.
So here
there’s a lot to be said
for not going out.
there’s a lot of flu
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of Covid
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of measles
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of RSV
out there.
I hear
there’s a lot of “something”
out there.
So here
there’s a lot to be said
for not going out.
I have read the news
that “The measles outbreak
in South Carolina
is “accelerating”
with no end in sight
following Thanksgiving
and other large gatherings,”
and I am worried
that a month from now
I will be reading the same news
only with “Thanksgiving”
replaced by “Christmas.”
that “The measles outbreak
in South Carolina
is “accelerating”
with no end in sight
following Thanksgiving
and other large gatherings,”
and I am worried
that a month from now
I will be reading the same news
only with “Thanksgiving”
replaced by “Christmas.”
December 11, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I have read the news
that “The measles outbreak
in South Carolina
is “accelerating”
with no end in sight
following Thanksgiving
and other large gatherings,”
and I am worried
that a month from now
I will be reading the same news
only with “Thanksgiving”
replaced by “Christmas.”
that “The measles outbreak
in South Carolina
is “accelerating”
with no end in sight
following Thanksgiving
and other large gatherings,”
and I am worried
that a month from now
I will be reading the same news
only with “Thanksgiving”
replaced by “Christmas.”
When you hear
about viruses, know:
there is still plenty of time
to resolve
to take care
and protect your health
in the coming year.
And when you hear
about viruses, know:
there is still plenty of time
to resolve
to take care
and protect your health
in the current year.
about viruses, know:
there is still plenty of time
to resolve
to take care
and protect your health
in the coming year.
And when you hear
about viruses, know:
there is still plenty of time
to resolve
to take care
and protect your health
in the current year.
December 11, 2025 at 12:36 AM
When you hear
about viruses, know:
there is still plenty of time
to resolve
to take care
and protect your health
in the coming year.
And when you hear
about viruses, know:
there is still plenty of time
to resolve
to take care
and protect your health
in the current year.
about viruses, know:
there is still plenty of time
to resolve
to take care
and protect your health
in the coming year.
And when you hear
about viruses, know:
there is still plenty of time
to resolve
to take care
and protect your health
in the current year.
I know
most people do not care
about viral threats
to humans or animals,
but in Greece a virus has killed
nearly 500,000
sheep and goats
imperiling the supply
of feta cheese,
so even if people do not care
about humans or animals
perhaps they’ll care
about viral threats to cheese.
most people do not care
about viral threats
to humans or animals,
but in Greece a virus has killed
nearly 500,000
sheep and goats
imperiling the supply
of feta cheese,
so even if people do not care
about humans or animals
perhaps they’ll care
about viral threats to cheese.
December 10, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I know
most people do not care
about viral threats
to humans or animals,
but in Greece a virus has killed
nearly 500,000
sheep and goats
imperiling the supply
of feta cheese,
so even if people do not care
about humans or animals
perhaps they’ll care
about viral threats to cheese.
most people do not care
about viral threats
to humans or animals,
but in Greece a virus has killed
nearly 500,000
sheep and goats
imperiling the supply
of feta cheese,
so even if people do not care
about humans or animals
perhaps they’ll care
about viral threats to cheese.
Due to the absence
of reliable data
it can be difficult to know
exactly how bad
flu and Covid and RSV
rates are at the moment,
but considering
that NYC’s department of health
is urging people
to wear a mask
it seems safe to assume
that the current situation
is pretty bad.
of reliable data
it can be difficult to know
exactly how bad
flu and Covid and RSV
rates are at the moment,
but considering
that NYC’s department of health
is urging people
to wear a mask
it seems safe to assume
that the current situation
is pretty bad.
December 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Due to the absence
of reliable data
it can be difficult to know
exactly how bad
flu and Covid and RSV
rates are at the moment,
but considering
that NYC’s department of health
is urging people
to wear a mask
it seems safe to assume
that the current situation
is pretty bad.
of reliable data
it can be difficult to know
exactly how bad
flu and Covid and RSV
rates are at the moment,
but considering
that NYC’s department of health
is urging people
to wear a mask
it seems safe to assume
that the current situation
is pretty bad.
If you want
to protect yourself
against the flu
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
And if you want
to protect yourself
against the Covid
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
And if you want
to protect yourself
against the “something”
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
to protect yourself
against the flu
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
And if you want
to protect yourself
against the Covid
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
And if you want
to protect yourself
against the “something”
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
December 10, 2025 at 6:39 PM
If you want
to protect yourself
against the flu
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
And if you want
to protect yourself
against the Covid
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
And if you want
to protect yourself
against the “something”
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
to protect yourself
against the flu
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
And if you want
to protect yourself
against the Covid
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
And if you want
to protect yourself
against the “something”
that’s going around:
wear a mask.
The man in front of me
looked at my mask
and asked: “you sick?”
I replied: “No.”
And then he stated:
“I can’t imagine wearing a mask
unless I’m sick,”
and though I wanted to say
“I can imagine getting sick
so I’m wearing one,”
instead I just said:
“the cashier’s ready for you.”
looked at my mask
and asked: “you sick?”
I replied: “No.”
And then he stated:
“I can’t imagine wearing a mask
unless I’m sick,”
and though I wanted to say
“I can imagine getting sick
so I’m wearing one,”
instead I just said:
“the cashier’s ready for you.”
December 10, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The man in front of me
looked at my mask
and asked: “you sick?”
I replied: “No.”
And then he stated:
“I can’t imagine wearing a mask
unless I’m sick,”
and though I wanted to say
“I can imagine getting sick
so I’m wearing one,”
instead I just said:
“the cashier’s ready for you.”
looked at my mask
and asked: “you sick?”
I replied: “No.”
And then he stated:
“I can’t imagine wearing a mask
unless I’m sick,”
and though I wanted to say
“I can imagine getting sick
so I’m wearing one,”
instead I just said:
“the cashier’s ready for you.”
I asked the professor
how the last week
of her semester is going
and she told me
all of her students
have contacted “finals flu,”
and when I asked:
doesn’t that usually happen?,
she replied: yes,
but what’s unusual
is this semester
all of her students
have actual doctor’s notes.
how the last week
of her semester is going
and she told me
all of her students
have contacted “finals flu,”
and when I asked:
doesn’t that usually happen?,
she replied: yes,
but what’s unusual
is this semester
all of her students
have actual doctor’s notes.
December 9, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I asked the professor
how the last week
of her semester is going
and she told me
all of her students
have contacted “finals flu,”
and when I asked:
doesn’t that usually happen?,
she replied: yes,
but what’s unusual
is this semester
all of her students
have actual doctor’s notes.
how the last week
of her semester is going
and she told me
all of her students
have contacted “finals flu,”
and when I asked:
doesn’t that usually happen?,
she replied: yes,
but what’s unusual
is this semester
all of her students
have actual doctor’s notes.
I have heard
that a pandemic doesn’t end
until the next one begins,
but having read that
“Once H5N1 is spreading
sustainably among people,
authorities may have only
48 hours
to prevent a pandemic,“
I now fear
that the Covid pandemic will end
when a worse pandemic arrives.
that a pandemic doesn’t end
until the next one begins,
but having read that
“Once H5N1 is spreading
sustainably among people,
authorities may have only
48 hours
to prevent a pandemic,“
I now fear
that the Covid pandemic will end
when a worse pandemic arrives.
December 9, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I have heard
that a pandemic doesn’t end
until the next one begins,
but having read that
“Once H5N1 is spreading
sustainably among people,
authorities may have only
48 hours
to prevent a pandemic,“
I now fear
that the Covid pandemic will end
when a worse pandemic arrives.
that a pandemic doesn’t end
until the next one begins,
but having read that
“Once H5N1 is spreading
sustainably among people,
authorities may have only
48 hours
to prevent a pandemic,“
I now fear
that the Covid pandemic will end
when a worse pandemic arrives.
The professor told me
she had attended a meeting
on what could be done
to help students
succeed in the classroom,
but when she suggested
things that could be done
to help students
avoid getting sick
in their classrooms,
she was asked what that
had to do
with students succeeding.
she had attended a meeting
on what could be done
to help students
succeed in the classroom,
but when she suggested
things that could be done
to help students
avoid getting sick
in their classrooms,
she was asked what that
had to do
with students succeeding.
December 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The professor told me
she had attended a meeting
on what could be done
to help students
succeed in the classroom,
but when she suggested
things that could be done
to help students
avoid getting sick
in their classrooms,
she was asked what that
had to do
with students succeeding.
she had attended a meeting
on what could be done
to help students
succeed in the classroom,
but when she suggested
things that could be done
to help students
avoid getting sick
in their classrooms,
she was asked what that
had to do
with students succeeding.
He told me he isn’t worried
about catching the flu or Covid
because he doesn’t know anyone
who has the flu or Covid,
instead what he’s worried about
is the odd “something”
which it seems everyone has,
and though I wanted to scream
instead I said:
masks protect against that too.
about catching the flu or Covid
because he doesn’t know anyone
who has the flu or Covid,
instead what he’s worried about
is the odd “something”
which it seems everyone has,
and though I wanted to scream
instead I said:
masks protect against that too.
December 9, 2025 at 12:53 AM
He told me he isn’t worried
about catching the flu or Covid
because he doesn’t know anyone
who has the flu or Covid,
instead what he’s worried about
is the odd “something”
which it seems everyone has,
and though I wanted to scream
instead I said:
masks protect against that too.
about catching the flu or Covid
because he doesn’t know anyone
who has the flu or Covid,
instead what he’s worried about
is the odd “something”
which it seems everyone has,
and though I wanted to scream
instead I said:
masks protect against that too.
Please note:
terms used in the UK
differ from those
used in the US.
In the UK it’s a lift,
in the US it’s an elevator.
In the UK it’s the boot,
in the US it’s the trunk.
In the UK it’s
an NHS “stay at home” alert
to fight winter viruses,
in the US
we no longer talk of prevention
terms used in the UK
differ from those
used in the US.
In the UK it’s a lift,
in the US it’s an elevator.
In the UK it’s the boot,
in the US it’s the trunk.
In the UK it’s
an NHS “stay at home” alert
to fight winter viruses,
in the US
we no longer talk of prevention
December 8, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Please note:
terms used in the UK
differ from those
used in the US.
In the UK it’s a lift,
in the US it’s an elevator.
In the UK it’s the boot,
in the US it’s the trunk.
In the UK it’s
an NHS “stay at home” alert
to fight winter viruses,
in the US
we no longer talk of prevention
terms used in the UK
differ from those
used in the US.
In the UK it’s a lift,
in the US it’s an elevator.
In the UK it’s the boot,
in the US it’s the trunk.
In the UK it’s
an NHS “stay at home” alert
to fight winter viruses,
in the US
we no longer talk of prevention
My colleague tells me
that he’s glad
to have caught “it”
over Thanksgiving
as this way
he doesn’t need to worry
about catching “it”
over Christmas,
and as he says this
I can’t help but remember
how last year
that exact same logic
didn’t work out well for him.
that he’s glad
to have caught “it”
over Thanksgiving
as this way
he doesn’t need to worry
about catching “it”
over Christmas,
and as he says this
I can’t help but remember
how last year
that exact same logic
didn’t work out well for him.
December 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
My colleague tells me
that he’s glad
to have caught “it”
over Thanksgiving
as this way
he doesn’t need to worry
about catching “it”
over Christmas,
and as he says this
I can’t help but remember
how last year
that exact same logic
didn’t work out well for him.
that he’s glad
to have caught “it”
over Thanksgiving
as this way
he doesn’t need to worry
about catching “it”
over Christmas,
and as he says this
I can’t help but remember
how last year
that exact same logic
didn’t work out well for him.
If they respond
(and they will respond)
to the mask you wear
and the precautions you take
by telling you
that at this point
nobody cares
about the pandemic anymore,
remember: the fact
that they feel so compelled
to tell you this
is because your actions
are proving them wrong.
(and they will respond)
to the mask you wear
and the precautions you take
by telling you
that at this point
nobody cares
about the pandemic anymore,
remember: the fact
that they feel so compelled
to tell you this
is because your actions
are proving them wrong.
December 8, 2025 at 6:48 PM
If they respond
(and they will respond)
to the mask you wear
and the precautions you take
by telling you
that at this point
nobody cares
about the pandemic anymore,
remember: the fact
that they feel so compelled
to tell you this
is because your actions
are proving them wrong.
(and they will respond)
to the mask you wear
and the precautions you take
by telling you
that at this point
nobody cares
about the pandemic anymore,
remember: the fact
that they feel so compelled
to tell you this
is because your actions
are proving them wrong.