During this COVID-19 pandemic, it is easy to forget the day's heroes: front-line workers, businesses – small and large, and the American people. They give their lives to endeavor to keep us safe and secure from falling ill from COVID-19, the outcome which can be potentially disastrous. Whether it is just wearing a mask or connecting with loved ones unable to mingle with their families, I wondered what if must feel like to be alone dealing with the sustaining isolation. To explore that topic, I came up with the following poem:
Inertia
Like an ongoing fever
It waxes and wanes
Hopefulness born
from a peak of the world outside
The confined door
The windows open
A candle flickers
Will an emotional upheaval slam it shut again?
Tethered emotions flying all around
Sweltering tides taking my breath away
It is a coin toss yet to decide
A television channel yet to be landed upon
Too much to deliberate
Dinner is served
In one tiny place on the globe, a person is fighting the tides on inequities. It is one of my sisters, Marguerite. She is helping people cope through these turbulent times. Ever since we were children, she has fought for the less fortunate in her career and other venues.
I dedicate this next poem to her because she helps veterans seeking housing and personal services to integrate back into society successfully. She is the executive director of a small non-profit, located in California's Bay Area.
It is an excellent time to share this poem for so many people who need hope in their lives, and it just may be around the corner in someone the know – a friend, a family member or even a stranger. One never knows how the mystery of life can show up in a person's life. It certainly took me time, but eventually, experience showed me the many people I could trust and contribute to my well-being.
Marguerite
A name spun out from a family fable
Cleats took her to climb tall mountains
Where her mother would only dream of going
Off to Europe, learning French
Onwards the drums kept beating forward.
So full of life
Upfront and steady
Crossing trails where people had gone
But able to pave them into streets of gold accomplishments
So tolled a bell to bring many to gather
And be covered by a moral sunshine
So enviable, so true she can march
Gathering what people deem weeds
And helping them grow into fragrant flowers
Leaving no one behind
Even in her stillness
She is as timeless as a blooming rose.
Hey, Mom
It has been a while now
Since Father Time whisked you away
Like a needle that finished a quilt
We spread it out and viewed the pattern of your life.
Hey, Mom
We are in awe of it and liked to swish it around, skyward
But not one of us caught even your shadow
You are centrally placed in Heaven now
Hey, Mom
Are you with Dad?
He left us, and you missed him so
Although his spirit buoyed us up
He was the most excellent guy that ever was
Hey, Mom
What are you doing?
The worry about your children's welfare was forefront and a central theme every day.
But we charmed you away to stay in the present day.
Hey, Mom
I want to tell you that we miss you so
The laughter and gaiety that was all of our own
Sprinklers amidst a lawn cut a wide swath to water the ground where you now lay
Copyright 2020 Kqren Bachand