Two weeks in covid times is a lifetime, time enough for the Delta variant to quickly invade my territory. It has taken a few weeks for the CDC to catch up to this invasion and to adjust guidelines. From our own family’s experience we knew a few things before they did. The virus Can infect someone who is vaccinated. The virus Can be spread by vaccinated people. And the vaccine Does protect from grave illness. My 90 year-old mother-in-law was vaccinated in January and February. Two weeks ago she started coughing. She took a rapid antigen test that showed she was positive for Covid-19. Today she is fine. She’s back to swimming daily and has only an occasional cough lingering. No hospitalization was necessary. We aren’t even sure if her case was counted in the long run; however, in these last two weeks, CDC has taken an about-face. And we are glad they have.
In my anger over this viral outbreak, I wrote a villanelle for an Ethical ELA Open Write prompt. The Seven Poetry Sisters put out a villanelle challenge for this month, so I asked for critique from my writing group and revised. A villanelle is a challenging form. I used Rita Dove’s Testimony, 1968 as a jumping off place.
This poem is a jeremiad. (prolonged lamentation or complaint, originating from Jeremiah whose Biblical book is lamentations)
Delta Invasion
Who comforts me now that the virus has broken?
Numbers mean nothing now that you’re ill.
Anger invades my trust, hope lost or stolen.We thought our lives safe to reopen,
but Delta arrived with its own stubborn will.
Who comforts me now? The virus has brokenthrough the vaccine’s promised protection.
Credence is shattered on CDC’s sill.
Anger invades my trust in hope; lost or stolen.Safe, unsafe rules are misspoken
as dispersed droplets aim to kill.
Who comforts me now that the virus has broken?Our lines of defense should be woken
to what we now know is out there still.
Anger crumbles trust as hope is lost or stolen.Some still reject life-saving vaccination
Margaret Simon, 2021
yet your nagging cough didn’t kill
what comforts me now is the virus has broken
and relief restores trust. Hope not lost or stolen.
Reflections on the Teche 
Bravo! This villanelle is perfect in form and the ideas conveyed are perfect for this form. That question, “Who comforts me now?” is haunting…as so many of us feel this way. You put into words the feelings of so many in this challenging, beautiful form.
Thanks for your powerful Villanelle poem Margaret that tears at one’s ❤️ I also hope more will re-mask and help us all to turn this tide.
Wow, Margaret, I love the revisions you’ve made to your poem. The powerful, slightly changing refrains are great. I love how it progressed from the beginning to the end, especially from the beginning to the last line: “and relief restores trust. Hope not lost or stolen.” Beautiful telling of your family’s experience. Again, so thankful that your mother-in-law (and all the rest of you) were spared. Thank God for the vaccine!
Thank you for expressing these shared feelings so eloquently, Margaret. I also learned a new word today – jeremiad. After reading your villanelle and LPS’s, I think I will have to try one.
Wow! Your villanelle is so powerful and full of emotion. I, too, and glad that the CDC has taken an about-face about wearing masks. My kiddos start school in a few weeks and we are waiting to see if the school board will follow the CDC’s recommendations or if masks will be optional. Go glad to hear that your mother-in-law has recovered. What a scary situation.
I love the variations in the anger invades my trust line, and am so glad that anger has been replaced by relief in your poem and especially in real life!
Oh, Margaret, I’m so sorry you had a Delta encounter, but I’m so glad your Mom is back to swimming, and missed a hospital visit. I LOVE that you wrote a jeremiad – that was one of my Word of the Day words this week. You nailed it.
Margaret, I feel your anger and pain, and I’m so glad your mil has recovered well! Your villanelle as a lament works so well, since that angry/pleading repetition feels really natural.
You have been tenacious about making this both true, tough and “correct.” Your bring us along in your emotional journey, and I’m glad too that everyone you knew stayed out of hospital. Masks back on for SURE.
Delta even sounds like the name of an invasion force. Nicely done. I’m also masking up for the continued battle.
Margaret, your opening holds such power as an opening question. I like how it follows the title and leads us through a tough journey. Your ending turns the table and offers hope. This format is a difficult one to find the right words for but you did it with such a pressing topic.
Dang, I typed a good comment yesterday and lost it! Let me try again…Margaret, you have been tenacious in getting this poem to carry us along your emotional journey, with its nuances and toughness. I’m so glad none of your beloveds were sick enough for the hospital. Maybe tweet this one out!
Your comment is here, Heidi. No worries. Thanks!
The Delta variant and these breakthrough cases are very worrying. So glad to hear your mother-in-law is feeling better! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
Well played! My favorite villanelles are the ones that change up the repeating lines with punctuation or different words…just like you did here! Your anger and frustration are relentless, but I’m glad that you could end with hope.
I’m glad your mother is okay, Margaret. I’ve heard what you shared here from others — vaccinated people can get and spread the Delta variant. I’m angry too! Thank you for putting your frustration into a poem. So powerful.
Yes, a lamentation. Just the feeling for right now when we’re so… discouraged. This is lovely, even as it’s scared and angry, too.
Wow! Well done, Margaret! Your emotions really power this poem and you’ve managed to use the villanelle form so well to share them. Thanks also for the new word–jeremiad!