They say (probably)
to be kind to the one
with the needle in their hand,
about to draw your blood.

Today, I chose not to be
after her disdain for my HEPA,
I gave her attitude back,
knowing full well
that she might hurt me.

But she didn’t.
Instead, she softened,
her tone turned kind—
as if my defiance
made me human to her

#covidisnotover