We once

We once complained about going to school,
some of us would pretend to be sick.
We once could sit in desks
for so long our backs hurt.
We once knew everything
would be OK.
We once could laugh and talk,
not through a screen.
We once could go and high-five or hug
to anyone we wanted.
We once could go out in public
without masks.
We once could go and walk down the street
without people crossing to the other side.
We once took all this for granted,
but what we would give
to have it back.