These next weeks are going to be challenging, I imagine, for each of us. Best wishes in doing what you can to be kind to yourself and others. And VOTE!
I am feeling like I am at a crossroads. Perhaps it's because my birthday was Monday; probably it's because seven and a half months of tension that includes worry about the losses from the pandemic for everyone and now the incredible election chaos. One needs to be strong to face these next weeks and I want to be, especially for my grandchildren. This poem comes from those thoughts.
Forget Everything - Almost
These challenging days,
don't tell anybody,
I'm "almost" forgetting every single month behind me,
the way it was:
the startling whispers,
the "everything is gonna be alright",
that word we fear to hear again,
"lockdown", the angry arguments
for truth.
I will remember
the daughter who brought groceries,
small visits (like vitamins),
the son's phone calls,
making believe he was cross-town,
hugs
that
finally
came from granddaughters,
customers
who
rushed
to the bookstore opening –
out of books
eager for book talk,
the silly smile drawn
on the Starbucks cup,
a text from a neighbor,
so many deviled eggs.
I will not forget walks in
winter's snowy whispers
spring bees buzzing
summer's magpie chatter
fall trees' defiant goodbyes.
I won't forget
the name of this poem.
Linda Baie ©