We used to live in packed societies:

Packed trains, packed clubs, packed shoulder to shoulder,

The crowd squeezed in and sniffing next door’s sweat.

Think back : no room to pass on the pavement.

 

From now on the word is to move apart,

Keep everyone out of touching distance,

Disinfect at will, no song or shouting,

Forbidden seating, air hellos and bows.

 

Our use of capacity will plummet,

Say buffs and academics in the know;

But those who once filled up vacated space,

What will become of them? Where will they go?