vaccinated boosted well-
distanced responsibly masked
so it wasn’t my fault
the physician’s assistant
had the snivels that day
he scoped my nose and ears
felt the throat and proclaimed me
healthy for a retired breeder
if word spreads that gregarious Gary
is now victim of the scourge
he’ll be the neighborhood pariah
have a red X painted on his front door
cross with the dogs to the other side
of the street and still endure poisonous
whispers and trespassing eyes
tone down the swagger in his walk
wear religiously the Christian version
of a burka - the N95 - also a freeway
you should avoid driving alone at rush
hour or during freaky snowstorms
well one consolation I’ve thought
about if I am found out
lonely roads don’t have much traffic