Negative

We wait
for the sign
of a skittery hyphen, 

the slightest color change  
within the shallow bed
of a plastic wand.

In other tests, 
the sudden fall below 
or spike above a safe

threshold might spell 
peril and not release. 
90 systolic or 60 

diastolic. 10 million 
times or more than 
the average 

viral load. But
in these strange
open lots we navigate,

there's not one space
where you can park
that isn't half-lit or 

some way 
compromised.
Nothing's neutral.

Positive doesn't 
mean yes, negatives
can be false.

Sometimes we circle
around and around 
confusing ramps,

wondering where
to exit, wondering 
where to pay.