The shelter-in-place order due to the coronavirus seemed to come on suddenly. One day, all was normal, the next day we were told to stay home, to wear masks, to disinfect constantly. Our lives changed overnight.For some, it was big change: kids home from school, working from home, inability to visit elderly parents. For others, such as myself, it was a minor inconvenience. Life did not change that much. Nevertheless, the change has been felt by all. And it is worldwide. I used to say that the world would be at peace if it had a common enemy, a visit from outer space aliens. Well, we have a common enemy now, but the world is not anywhere nearer to peace. Instead, turmoil has ensued, due to economic downturns, loss of jobs, people on edge. And yet, there have been silver linings in the clouds as well. Families are reconnecting, people are cooking and baking bread, more people are getting outside to take walks instead of using the treadmill at the gym, children are decorating the sidewalks with chalk art. Whether these changes, positive and negative, will be permanent, or life will return to normal within a year remains to be seen.
As I experienced the first weeks of the change, I took on the role of observer. I noted first of all the silence, not altogether unwelcome. I had recently heard the song Sound of Silence and found it deeply moving. So I set about to learn it. And I reverted to being a loner, a familiar role for me and a comfortable one. Sheltering in place is not so hard for loners. Out of this came the poems.
Many who saw this rainbow in my town last month considered it a hopeful sign. It remains to be seen what lies at the end of the rainbow and when we will know.
As I experienced the first weeks of the change, I took on the role of observer. I noted first of all the silence, not altogether unwelcome. I had recently heard the song Sound of Silence and found it deeply moving. So I set about to learn it. And I reverted to being a loner, a familiar role for me and a comfortable one. Sheltering in place is not so hard for loners. Out of this came the poems.
Many who saw this rainbow in my town last month considered it a hopeful sign. It remains to be seen what lies at the end of the rainbow and when we will know.
| Morning Walk Silent dawn Mute birds on wire No cars, no people, Air is still. Sky lightens Birds begin to chirp A mourning dove coos Soft car whoosh Dog walker Jogger in the street We nod at distance Silently In the Store Masked faces Shop in silence No speaking Eyes only Outside The air smells so clean I detect flower scents I can breathe deeply If it weren't for this mask The Mask of Silence I'll talk to you But stay six feet away If you come near Pull your mask up Nod, don't talk Smile with your eyes Near--and yet far In mutual silence. Times Changing Deadly virus, danger ahead, Shelter in place, they said. Stay at home every day, Do not go out to work or play. And the people obeyed. Close all stores and places to eat, Get take-out for a treat. Do not drive to the mall, Distance yourself six feet from all. And the people heeded the call. Try not to talk and please don't shout, Wear a mask when you are out. It's hard but please do try, Cede space to others you pass by. And the people did try. When people did not run about, The animals came out. Turkeys wandered in throng, Mockingbird sang its morning song, And the people, while they walked, Learned to listen not talk. Their cell phones put away, And for once just enjoyed the day. DEADLY VIRUS ENTERS THE COUNTRY NEWEST INFORMATION ON COVID19 The headlines shout silently on the computer screen But I listen to the new predawn silence of no traffic, no airplanes. GOVERNOR TO SPEAK AT NOON NEW RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE The newspaper headlines scream on the page And I look out the window to watch the jay and the squirrel who wait for their peanuts. ATTEND A ZOOM YOGA CLASS JOIN US ON ZOOM AT NOON SPECIAL FREE LECTURE ON ZOOM my emails proclaim But I ignore these invitations, to write in peace and quiet. DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT A MASK KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, DO NOT TALK Large bold print words on the signs outside stores. Silent screams, warnings, admonitions, All necessary but.... I head for the safety of home Where silence, peace and normality reign. In Appreciation Musicians and artists Must practice their art. That is their outlet. So they display their art Play their music On the street For all to enjoy For free. Loners Loners know how to be alone, Are their own best company, Can entertain themselves Indefinitely. -MW | Our Time is out of Joint Are we running too fast, Doing too many things, Carrying the many burdens, Laboring under too many expectations? The answer is yes! Do we crave too much, Amass too many debts, Accumulate too much dross, Still ourselves with pills, pot and drink? The answer is yes! Is our electronics world an oasis, Electronic gadgetry needed respite? Is communication now more bond, Has community become more intimate? The answer is no! Has freewheeling capitalism been a boon? Financiers and borrowers joined in a rush for wealth A financial bubble become a financial blister, Banks glossed ranks and credit became pious hope. And the gap between wealthy and poor was left wider than ever. While we're over preoccupied, Climbing too many slippery ladders, Wallowing in awe and consternation, Foreign policy goes its hectic way. A pity! Our time is surely out of joint, Individuals have become a befuddled lot And America has lost its moral ballast. All is boiling, all is roiling! How much longer before a new dawn? -JM Our Manic American World We are a now society, An ever more society, A now and more and more And nothing else society. We buy and buy, Waste and waste, Discard, toss out, Think nothing of it. It's a madhouse, We're its inmates, Are not bothered, Don't seem to care. It's a roller coaster, A merry-go-round Whirling wildly Out of control. It's a bubble And will burst As all bubbles Always do. But don't despair, All is not hopeless, Don't rush off, All is not lost. Stop, look and listen, Tarry and think. Yes, ours is an orgy Of entrenched excesses, All may appear quite helpless But it's not beyond repair. Capitalism must be recast, Individualism moderated, Materialism depassioned, Consumerism curbed! That's surely no mean challenge And beyond the reach of many, But when naught is tried Naught is ever gained. My hope it is That e'er long, Serious reflection Moral discipline Human decency And common sense Will prevail In a change, The re-evaluations of our values Long overdue. If this is so, America will Again find Its moral moorings And a moral balanced life, Become a model Not remain a blight. An opportunity! Let's hope! -JM Píccola and JM know how to shelter in place!  Rub my tummy please  Sheltering in place as always. Gardening, writing epigrams, rubbing the dog's belly. Thoughts for the Day by JM Silence can be more eloquent than words. Shouters are heard but not heeded. Kind words and helping hand praise and respect command. Silence is very telling. To talk too much is to say too little. |