THE WAGER

a wager with oneself

My spirit senses the certainty

but my psyche wrestles with a trial

anticipation of the unknown

wager pervades a fine line

safeguards unsettled

A mid-blowing judgement

should I gamble

with the plague

which kills like an army of bees

self-isolate?

or

crap shoot to sanction intimacy?

my lover dwells worlds away

My spirit will win you over

the psyche crashes

like waves in an angry sea

the verdict clear-cut

Reviews

[Lorry]

You are not alone in... err, being alone 😀
How many hearts ache and long for that distant longing, who may only be round the corner for all it matters, as we yearn to hold, touch and etc etc.
Missing a lovers touch, or a parent missing hugs... All of us missing what makes us human, contact.
Even here, in the middle of not very much at all, we have been tempted to break social distancing and just hold/ touch someone.
In case it ever comes to court, I would like to point out it was my neighbour and work partner who broke the rules and not me. It's her first time away from home and forgot herself your honour 😀
We are all in the same boat, alone.
Hopefully it will be a distant memory soon and we can all party once more, or at least hug.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your review!

[Betty Hermelee]

And an extra thank you for analyzing it the way you did!

[Lorry]

You're welcome 😀

[Poetic Beauty]

Oh to remain safe and alone or to venture out into the unknown scary world to be with a liver that waits worlds away.

[Wild Rose]

Scary times > like those that passed before > Asian Flue - SARS - Scarlet Fever - and so many others; where we were told to "Keep Away" from the unfortunate > "The Fever Hospital" high on the hillside for a plague now past out of memory; Yet they tell you to turn your eyes away

WHY

It is gone too long to catch anything (Decades any way)

Or as a token of respect for those who lost the fight

It is the LDNPA Northern Headquarters now . the mortuary underneath houses the machines of Forresters and landscape workers now

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your kind review

[alanwgraham]

Great Betty. You have caught the dilemma and uncertainty of these times perfectly. We are presented with potentially life and death decisions from moment to moment. Should I? And the consequences may not unravel for weeks. Enough of this doom - we have a new grandson today .
Take care.
Alan

[Betty Hermelee]

So nice to hear from you Alan; thanks for your review, and CONGRATS on you new Grandson!!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The insecurity in this write is palpable.But the virus shrinks to insignificance when compared to the political turmoil in America. There is a storm brewing like a cancer in America, it is a pronounced tumor on the American psyche and the prognosis is not good. Are we witnessing the death of America? But those cheering openly in the streets in the middle of a global pandemic and chanting "death to America" aren't Iraqi militants...they are militant citizens, domestic terrorists hell bent on destroying our country.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks, as always for you review. I think the virus and politics are intermingled now, and yes our democracy is on the line , with the great divide, and cults of dangerous people popping up all over. Unless our leadership changes, we are in for destruction of our country in so many ways.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It's the change of leadership that is to be feared. The democrats have legislation on the table now to completely gut the second amendment of our constitution and socialism looms great in our future if there is a change of leadership. The destructive leftist organizations you speak of supported and allowed by the democratic party. Not e that the two major cities under recent conflict, Seattle and Portland are both democrat mayor run cities. It's the election of anyone other than a republican that MUST NOT happen in America or we will be going down the deep, dark hole of communism very quickly.

[Chris Shaw]

This highlights the difficult situation that has come as a result of the virus and our separation from loved ones. So tempting when you are in a desperate need for some human touch, but so sobering that you could be responsible for putting someone in an early grave. Dreadful times Betty. Let's hope it won't last for too much longer. Missing the hugs and kisses. Many will relate to your words.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Your words have hope, but many still struggle with the ever present risk. Thank you Chris for sharing your thoughts with me. Xo, B

[barleygirl]

I live alone in the wilderness, so "isolating" in the way most people think of it, is not applicable to my life. I've been self-isolating for a decade & I've gotten better at it than I ever intended to be. So it's always fun to be reminded of how most other people live. To me, this was a strong depiction of the decisions people must make all the time about how much risk to take, etc. I think most people find it excruciating to be without contact & especially contact with a special other. You get that intensity across well here (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

I just had a weird flash upon re-reading. I was thinking about how, when young & experimenting with sex, kids would often take the chance of not using birth control (back in the sexual revolution when I grew up). I bet it would've been a similar sense of throwing caution to the wind, being so filled with the present moment of desire, all the far-off possibilities seem ridiculously remote.

[Betty Hermelee]

This young person probably was thinking of both...and that's why i inserted the word intimacy...again your comments are extraordinary. xo, B

[R.E. Ray]

Betty, your poem captures the frustration, longing and contemplation of millions. This is, like love in general, a tension between the heart and head. I'd say stay on the mountain, enjoy a bottle of wine (or whatever your choice) and write poems to the special someone. And, that second stanza is a killer! Imagery and angst in a few short verses.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks so much, haven't seen you in a while!!! Very nice review!