It has been quiet around here. Still, soft. Stuck. Snow has been on the ground for weeks. My daughter got to go sledding once, before the onset of the deep chill and the sickness. I came down with COVID and brought it into our home, despite being vaccinated (and having had it exactly a year ago, too). A mushy, damp layer of tissues Iines the bottom of each trash can. Noses are permanently crusty. A collection of medicine measuring cups gathers around multiple sinks. We huddle