“We must avoid a second and a third wave”

by Emily Shea

I hope you are successful, Gov. Cuomo

For let me tell you

The first wave, destructive as it is

It is nothing compared to future waves

The first wave is a reckoning

Terrifying, but mobilizing

We all pray for it to end

Swiftly, minimizing morbidity

The support is behind you

There is an energy in the fight

No matter how much you wish it never was needed

You find the strength you have

You find your support team

You move forward

But if you let your guard down early

The first wave blends in to a second wave

Maybe the momentum from round one carries you

Maybe you get reinforcements

Invigorated to join the cause

New ideas, new solutions

Support still pouring in

Surviving the second wave

You may return to peace

Try to forget the ills of the past

Ignore the lurking catastrophe

I hope the third wave does not come

For the third wave is not pretty

After believing you had won

The news of a recurrence cuts through your heart

The old strategies are no longer working

But what is left to do?

The support has waned

Everyone is tired

You are tired

Weaker than when the first wave came

The hope in your eyes extinguished

The battle has left its mark on your brain

Scarred, confused, scared

You give it everything you have

But can no longer reach

For the support you need

No longer can really think to pray

No longer know if this can be won

So I hope we avoid a second and a third wave