Into the Third Week. A poem by Steve Denehan

The only thing outside now
is the virus
dying slowly
the attempt of one virus
to kill another
futile, this time

the antidote was simple in the end
inactivity and isolation
which led to my daughter cutting my hair
into a mohawk
followed by nail polish
I chose purple
lipstick
I chose black

my face was painted
a spider on one cheek
a flower on the other
a red lightning bolt on one temple
blue star on the other
a purple spiral on my forehead

I wear a hoodie emblazoned
with a taco and nacho arguing
“Wanna taco ’bout it?”
“It’s nacho business!!”
shorts
and Aquaman boot-slippers
from morning ‘til night
these are bad days
these are good days

……….

Steve Denehan lives in Kildare, Ireland with his wife Eimear and daughter Robin. He is the author of “Miles of Sky Above Us, Miles of Earth Below” (Cajun Mutt Press), “Of Thunder, Pearls and Birdsong” (Fowlpox Press), “Living in the Core of an Apple” (Analog Submission Press) and “A Chandelier of Beating Hearts” (forthcoming from Salmon Poetry). Twice winner of Irish Times’ New Irish Writing his numerous publication credits include Poetry Ireland Review, Acumen, Westerly and Into The Void. He has been nominated for Best of the Net, Best New Poet and has been twice nominated for The Pushcart Prize.