Joe Imwalle
New Days
I’m running
running
for health
for mental health
for mental health to keep
balanced emotions and mind
while we flatten the curve
of virus raising a flag
in humanity
new territory
to tremble terrible
eye contact with strangers
different I see
as we shift
to being aware
of what
is on all our minds
on mine
what to title this run
by the beach
with app tracking my route
miles & time
running through the world today
along a path for walkers
who like never before
are obstacles to skirt
cautious not to hug and kiss a stranger
strange how I’ve not wanted
this before but feel
a thin mourning
for the loss
of its possibility
I am panting
I am hanging in there
I have a name
for this week
I name it
Imagine The Relief
When It’s Safe
For The World
To Embrace
and now I fly
imagined banners
with the words flapping behind
and oh my they fly beautifully
around the folks
I do not touch
but feel touched
to be living amongst
through our strange
new days
Joe Imwalle is an MFA poetry candidate at St. Mary’s College of California, with work forthcoming in Beyond Words Literary Magazine. He taught elementary school in East Oakland for twelve years. He currently teaches Spanish and ESL. He lives in Oakland with his wife, daughter, dog, two cats, records, books, and plants.
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