We do not know the future tense round here,

But deal in possibilities and mays;

Learning hypotheticals and options

And other such conditional displays.

Predictions in our world remain unsafe;

Coming weeks and months are speculation.

We may be staying here or going home;

Others will decide our situation.

We say ‘good morning,’ ‘thank you for your help’:

Phrases in this unfamiliar tongue.

But how will we recover what we’ve missed

Through barren days when we should have been young?