A septeugenarian curmudgeon coping with covid and the 2020 election answers the question, “How are you doing?”

I am doing my best to stay away

from the neurotic, the lazy, and the

just plain crazy as they come in a cloud

(that cloud) of indignation, frustration,

paranoia, and just plain panic, wearing

angry red stripes or a self-righteous blue.

I am doing my best to fight the dread

of human touch--a squeeze, or a hug, 

a pat on the shoulder.  Signs of affection

send me in the opposite direction.

I closed the door, took up the welcome mat.

I’m in hibernation, waiting for vaccination.

                      That’s that.