Love Songs

Kristen Dunn

I used to look both ways before crossing the street Now I don’t have to It’s not because I’m 25 It’s a rule I have never outgrown It’s because I am living during a pandemic The roads are empty That is why I no longer have to look both ways before crossing the street There is more chance of an invisible virus hitting me Than a car I walk home with my groceries while listening to love songs I used to think echoes were most prominent in caves But that’s what Chicago is turning into A dark and empty cave When walking in a cave You don’t get worried about getting hit by a car You are afraid of the unknown They say downtown is deserted I saw pictures of where I grew up There used to be people But now it’s empty Some will return My mom won’t Normal is forever a memory I walk home with my groceries while listening to love songs

9