Carlos Antonio Pittella

Chicago, IL, USA

Carlos Antonio Pittella is a Latinx Brazilian poet with Italian citizenship who writes in English & Portuguese... simply put on US forms, an “Alien.” Holding a doctorate in literary studies from PUC-Rio, he has edited works by & about modernist poet Fernando Pessoa, including Fausto (Tinta-da-China, 2018). He works as a researcher for the Centre for Theatre Studies of the University of Lisbon & has been quarantining in the Midwest with his family.

Written on April 11^th, 2020 (day #29 of our initial quarantine)

Time Triage

[a datamined sestina using frequent words from the first 500 scientific articles on COVID-19]

We are nothing if not too patient

when droplets carry respiratory

dreams & fears & the most severe

metamorphoses of protein-

mercurial gods on whom we based

our reckless ideology of control.

The president transmits “control”

east & west of winglings so patient

to nest our biases un-based:

keep counting sheep respiratory

till here it comes the sleep-protein

severing our humor turned severe.

Acute is different from severe:

you see what you cannot control

on-your-face changing its protein

so fast you don’t have to be patient

—‘fore you can say “respiratory”

the stuff of your voice is debased.

You used to blazon so self-based

your spine protruding tall, severe,

cold ups hot downs respiratory

deep meditation to control

daily exercise on being patient

still body shining new protein...

Now don’t pretend it shan’t pertain

from top to where your spine has based

your world fatigued of being patient

with repercussions so severe

your routine can no more control

the pierced dam turned respiratory;

Yet you endure respiratory

magically winding up protein

not something you assume control,

witchery upon which dreams are based;

when your condition turns severe

just try not to be too impatient—

Control is but respiratory

dream; your patient self, lost protein

abased—ablaze—asseverating...