TRY NOT TO BREATHE

by Ciarán Parkes

Try not to breathe
until the hug is over. Point your face
over the other person's shoulder, gazing

into the social distance, then
step back into it. Try to make it quick
as possible. Feel the afterglow

of oxytocin flooding through your brain
from such close contact. Smile
behind your mask. Wait ten days or so

in case of symptoms.
Cautiously repeat.