“Quarantine Diaries,” by David Garyan (Day 40)

Quarantine Diaries – Day 40 April 23rd, 2020

Trento, Italy

Shield

Walls are becoming strangely more comfortable; like standing next to bodyguards of ignorance, your protection goes so far, but only as far as their strength will allow; you’re safe from hostile weather, so feel free to open the window, but only when it’s warm out; just keep on paying the concrete flesh, and it’ll make sure no beggar causes you problems. Work even harder— earn the right not to know the problems of city-dwellers. If bodyguards are walls, then gates are military police— checking everyone’s papers. Can you afford the lack of awareness that closed communities sell? Yes, it’s expensive, but what isolation has ever been cheap? When the night comes, rest easy knowing that no one will dare to harass you— not soldiers with guns, not even children with toy guns,

and should sleep overtake them, your bodyguards are still there. Quarantines without pandemics are your rewards, but think of it as designer brand loneliness— only go out until money says. Says what?

Your greed must be fed, and if that never happens, nature will call with bad news, at least one of these days; all you must do is sit at home long enough— then at the end no wall can save you, not even those at the hospital.