“Anxiety is the handmaiden of creativity," wrote T.S. Eliot. To help make productive use of our self-isolation and social distancing, Lit Cleveland is offering free writing challenges each week via our newsletter. The following piece is a response to the "Write a Bestial Rant" prompt.

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The Gifts of Insanity

by Bob Quail

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I learned how to be Crazy when I was back in school

Gratitude—In these Insane times it is a great needed tool

We "Retired" the Alarm Clock weeks ago

We sleep in late—Hell there is no place to go

You see the "CoronaVirus" has made us all Hunker in

We are in confinement—thou we did not commit a crime or a sin

It is coming on to almost a Month now

We still have not argued—We just don't know how

Being stuck in our house really is damn hard

God Bless those weeds in our backyard

Those once cursed Devils give me something to do

OH!—Then there was watching the birds as they gracefully flew

Hooray—I get to wear my comfy Sweats all of the time

I have both night and day ones-My wife thinks this is a crime

While she changes into her daytime "P. J.s" at Noon

God-How I hope this imprisonment will end soon

We have plenty of food—so we are really OK

But Sadly, My favorite "Single Malt" has passed away

So during this Insanity there is only one thing we can do

PLEASE pray for me—and know that I am praying for you

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