He woke tired

Yesterday he woke tired.
Yesterday there was dance practice to go to,
yesterday they were preparing for tour.
Yesterday everyone was busy.
Yesterday he was not free.

Today, however, there is an odd freedom,
a strange stillness in the air.
Today the streets are empty,
today the city is silent.
And oddly he is not at peace.

Today he is trapped,
today there is no more tour to prepare for.
Today there is no dance practice.
Today there is no more going outside...
and isn’t that a baffling thought?

Today the world is quiet. Too quiet,
as if watching with bated breath as sickness pulls families apart.
As mothers weep for their children.

Today is the space between breaths.
And one wonders,
will the next breath come?
Will this be recovered from?

And as he sits
in the space between breaths, he wonders.
Will this last?

How long till he’s back
on the stage bleeding his heart out to millions.
How long until stadiums are once again bathed with light.
How long till then.

Because the odd space
between breaths is frightening and unsure.
Because yesterday he woke tired,
but today he woke alone.