Averting our empty eyes

Q: “Why are you not putting on a mask?”
A: “I’m not culpable for your health
I’m self-reliant, so do not ask
also won’t be blamed for my wealth!”

If this is how some of us are
how did we stray so deep & far?

Q: “Still thinking we’re better than this?”
A: “We’re no effete Swedes or feeble French
so, World, come give U.S. a kiss!”
(albeit amidst conceited stench)

Thus we keep up the narrative:
Pretending to empathize
high-handed & declarative
averting our empty eyes

Masklessness leaves the Covid threat cowardly vague
while masked have we not faced that we’re all in a plague?