Banned

It was decades ago

that flowers were banned

in hospitals.

Unhygienic, you see.

Unsafe.

With their smells

and susceptibility

to spillages.

Then there was a pandemic.

And people were banned.

No visiting allowed

Unhygienic, you see.

Unsafe

with their smells

and susceptibility

to carry infection.

But technology sorted it!

Now robots bring flowers

robotic flowers

with robotic smells,

and robotic comfort.

Disinfected.

Safe.

Soon people won’t notice 

the difference.

Soon people won’t remember

the difference.

https://oddballmagazine.com/poem-by-lynn-white-14/