You started in a country that was far far away

That wasn’t enough for you, so you did not stay.

You traveled all over to every country, state and city

Not caring who you hurt, you have no pity.

You are killing and hurting thousands of people every single day

Invading their bodies in the most horrible way.

Mothers, fathers, grandparents, and children as well

Putting every human through this living hell.

Life has shut down, our streets are so bare

You just keep on going, without any care.

Our stores are empty, closed and shut down

Restaurants dying in everyone’s town.

Our schools are closed till God knows when, a horrible shame

Zooming with teachers, it just isn’t the same.

We need to see people, our children need their friends

When will pandemic come to an end?

Wherever you go, you need gloves and a mask

Always remembering can be quite a hard task.

Jobs are being lost, hard for families to provide

Economy is going on a downward slide.

We are trapped in a “ghetto” we feel scared, afraid and alone

We are in our own little jail that we once called our home.

We need this pandemic, this enemy to leave

Once you are gone, believe me no one will grieve.

Our children need air, to run and play in the park

But because of you, they are stuck in the dark.

Life as we know it has completely shut down

Walking down streets, it’s like a ghost town.

I say this for myself, and on behalf of

world, since you filled us with strife

Go far far away and get out of our life.

You are evil, harmful, you haunt all dreams

You trapped and snared us COVID-19.

We will do what we have to, to fight ’til the end

No one will let you rule us anymore my “friend.”

Sometimes it takes a tragedy, for the world to unite

This is what we are doing and we are ready to fight!

You are our enemy, a devil in disguise

A demon a torturer with mean piercing eyes.

One day you will be gone, this will all be a dream

You will never come back COVID-19.

We are all here as one through thick and through thin

I promise you this, we will not let you win!!!

Lisa Katz grew up in West Orange. She attended Hebrew Youth Academy (now JKHA) and then Bruriah High School. She has a BA in early childhood education from Touro College, and a master’s degree in elementary education and reading from Hunter College. She lives in Highland Park with her husband and son.