Disgorging fragmentary evidence of
Times Before
Uniforms that zip with
Some protest
Blades touched with rust
An ouroboric tanglement of cords
We ourselves are travelers
Cast into future times
Familiar venues fraught with
Unfamiliar norms
Cautiously we re-emerge
Greeting fellow chrononauts
Assessing what is welcome
A little bow, an elbow bump
Gripping hands or
Going for the full-on hug
Despite uncertainty
This new epoch
Offers reassurance:
Strangers smizing over masks
Abundant courtesy
A plenitude of kindness
One big change: the terms of this engagement
The metrics of success
Victory is being here, today
With all of you
Salute
