In Front of the Chemist,

one man cuts the distanced queue
to buy a tube of toothpaste;
we shake our heads,

but in this heat, 
who has the strength 
to shout?

Some time later,
another man approaches,
and says in a shaking voice:

Please, I need two face 
shields, please—
I must go to the hospital now.

We shuffle our feet and bow 
our heads; for once,
we’re all glad to give way.