Pandemic Kiss

Fernando B. Sena, Pandemic Kiss (2020, soft pastel painting)

Link of photo https://scontent.fmnl17-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/238891518_801772447118066_8681491235694800920_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_eui2=AeFDA1HONVtHSdXSR1gMPpt6nrp8yjxLmkaeunzKPEuaRqRgNERlC1n9EVKlJR6UUdc&_nc_ohc=t7HfTe5-h-oAX_A0JqA&_nc_ht=scontent.fmnl17-2.fna&oh=ac6189279fa313dc26788daba1dc2f4e&oe=6146765E

Pandemic Kiss

(An ekphrasis after Fernando Sena's artwork)
Louise Vincent B. Amante

Wear your masks,
so they say.

But our lips

long

for each lover's
kisses.

Frail or healthy,
all of us are at risk.

And our cheeks
caress every breath
slipping out

of the
s p a c e s

from the words
we speak.

Cover the mouth
and nose,
block the virus
from harming our body.

Behind
our face masks
are the slightest
memories
we protect.
We still see
eye to eye,
an opening
we won't cover.

August 20, 2021

Quezon City