by Ben Snider
Our hearts were full, pounding
Constantly bombarded
Empathy and compassion were overwhelming
We met fear yet again, our cultural ritual
Then the songs came
Echoing in empty streets
Connecting their collective
Voices
Embracing from the Distance
We saw heroes everyday
Only now becoming aware
They had been there
All along
Art was freed from walls
For everyone to experience
A Knight read us Sonnets
Each and every day
Professors taught tuition free
Poets and painters
Beautiful music makers
Took to the air
Free
And while minions of Mammon
Bargained with our lives
Too many struggled to breathe
Art and creativity
Brought us out of the shadows
Riza Press 