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With lime, it makes for good times
With 19, it makes for a strain
A virus — strain
On our community, relationships, mental health
Our livelihoods
One more thing that has divided us
Politically, physically, socially
Distanced
Keeping us away from our loved ones
Out of love and duty
Ironically, bringing the entire world
Together —
Forcing individuals to acknowledge
Their roles in the community, in the world
No other moment
Could have been designed more ingeniously
A viral pandemic that forced us all apart
Brought us together — human antibodies
To fight the pervasive disease of racism

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author. Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer’s identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned.

Amanda Knight is a writer incarcerated in Washington.