Don’t stand so close to me

Young students, so social,
They crave friends like a drug.
Not TikTok. Not Insta.
They have to chat and hug.

Their longing for friendship
Outlasts their parents’ rage.
They gather, so close now,
Like actors on a stage.

Don’t stand so. Don’t stand so.
Don’t stand so close to me.
Don’t stand so. Don’t stand so.
Don’t stand so close to me.

The Boomers. They’re Zooming.
You know how seniors get.
Sometimes it’s not so easy.
To stay at home and fret.

Temptation. Frustration.
Shelter in place and troll.
The one time they go out is
To search for toilet roll.

Don’t stand so. Don’t stand so.
Don’t stand so close to me.
Don’t stand so. Don’t stand so.
Don’t stand so close to me.

The teens they come home now.
Promise they’ve quit the scene.
They hug Mom. They hug Dad.
They breathe COVID-19.

It’s no use, they’ve shared it.
Dad starts to shake and cough.
Mom wheezes, then sneezes.
A truly poor trade-off.

Don’t stand so close to me
Please don’t stand so close to me.

Lyrics by Josh Bernoff. With apologies to Sting.

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