There is social distancing in Jerusalem
Mostly among Romans and Greeks and Jews
Who don’t much like each other anyway –
How is this day different from all other days? 1
This year there is no parking-lot procession
That’s good; the timing of the hymn in front
Never matches the timing ‘way in back
And the mail-order palms are sanitized
What hosannas this season, you may well ask:
Wave the virus and proclaim, “Wear your mask!”
1Cf. The Seder
(This is only a bit of wry humor; good hygiene is always a matter of caritas in protecting others as well as one’s self.)
A