The long slog
is almost over, I thought
sitting in the Kaiser suite
that’s newly a vaccination clinic
beside the paramedic
uncapping his syringe
and bringing it toward my arm.
A flood of emotion
arose from inside me,
a surprise after all
the past year’s dry discipline.
A wave of gratitude
surged toward this kind man
doing his duty.
“Thank you for saving lives,”
I told him,
briefly able to envision
the efforts and struggles
of so many that have gone into
this moment of my protection–
and that went toward holding the line
all during this dreadful war.
