7 PM

7 PM

The music rises at 7PM sharp

A clanging symphony of appreciation and gratitude

Windows rainbowed in hearts and #’s

Better than a PPE wrapped hug.

Look up, up, up – seven stories of my apartment building full of faces

A cacophany of air horns, pots, pans, and metal railings

banged and dented happily with wooden spoons.

There’s a sacredness to this time.

Something hallowed and holy and connected in the nightly cheers to our health care and essential workers

Time stops at 7 pm – no matter what – through the sunshine soaked pandemic of early spring

Then, suddenly is silenced

Faded by fatigue as the pandemic roars on.