Future Envisioned

Isaac Asimov envisioned

a world where people lived apart

and only “viewed” and never “saw” others.

A world where if people had to touch,

they did so with masks and gloved hands.

What will our world be in the aftermath?

Will we ever feel safe “seeing” instead of “viewing?”

Will we ever freely touch another without

masks or gloves or panic?

Providing that economies survive

and travel is reinstated

and suspicion does not lead to hate 

of the unknown and unknowable.

Providing that the morgues and funeral homes

ever empty of the dead and

there are enough doctors and nurses alive

to treat broken hips and herniated discs.

Providing that elections can proceed

and democracies do not falter

and the smooth transition of power

transfers smoothly and fairly without bloodshed.

Providing all the possible nightmares

do not come to life from the darkness

of people’s souls

and gracious kindness endures.

Providing that wretchedness gives

way to love then seeing will always be 

better than viewing and touching will always be

life-giving instead of life-taking, and

Isaac Asimov will remain a writer of fiction and

not a prophet of the future.