Looking for calm

Apr5

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Back and forth
Back and forth
From icon to icon
On my cell phone:
WhatsApp
Instagram
E-mail
News
Facebook
I read
I listen
I contemplate
And repeat…

Too much news?
Too much information?
Too much screen time?
Perhaps

So I put my phone away
Open my notebook
And start to write

Suddenly time slows down
I relax
I don’t have to process so much information
I don’t have to listen to sad news
I can be in my place of calm

The coffee shops are closed
So, the comfortable chair in our bedroom, by the window
Is where I’m writing today
It’s cloudy and
We’re longing for the return of the sun

We’re all doing our best to cope
To stay connected to friends
To avoid getting cabin fever
To do things in new and different ways

Thankful that writing centres me
Thankful that I’m in touch with my friends
Hoping we’ll emerge stronger and wiser
When we’ve made it through these challenging times

April 2nd, 2020

Our times

Apr4

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The streets are empty

The parks are empty

No one is going to the movies

The parking lots are empty

Traffic is light

Many people are in their homes

The trees are breathing cleaner air

The bird are singing in clearer skies

Families are having more family time

Coffee time, dinner time

Are spent together unlike before

Everybody is trying to adapt and improvise

Work places are empty

Zoom meetings are all the rage

Working from home saves people the commute time

These changes are bound to affect our world view

Our priorities

Our activities

Our jobs

These changes are giving the planet a chance to breath

A chance to recuperate from our all out assault 

These changes will give us pause to reassess

How will live, what we do and how

 

April 4th, 2020

Girls

Apr1

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Why are girls so difficult, I wonder

One minute they’re happy

One minute sad

Emotions bubbling up regularly

 

Some are quiet when they’re upset

Some must vent and vent and vent

Some don’t want to talk about how they feel

Others want to do that continually

 

Some cook only when they’re in the mood

Some don’t like to organize their rooms

 

Sometimes they don’t get along with another girl

Girls like magnets, sometimes repel

 

But girls can also be so sweet

So caring

So delightful

So enchanting

 

They can lift a finger

And you do as they say

They can bring you lots of joy each day

 

Girls are wonderful but difficult too

After all,roses come with thorns

 

April 1st, 2020

Apart yet together

Mar29

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Apart yet together

Far yet next door

In these days of social distancing 

We find other ways to socialize 

 

From WhatsApp calls and video chats 

To Zoom meetings and gatherings 

Technology is our loyal friend 

 

Many people work from home

And see each other even more 

We have meetings on the cloud

Wherever we are in the world

 

Distance is meaningless

It’s a thing of the past

All hail technology 

We live in a new world 

 

March 29th, 2020

Interesting times

Mar27

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These are interesting times

We have virtual coffee dates

Zoom get togethers

And communicate with others

From the comfort of our homes

 

These are interesting times

Empty streets

Stores that had to close

Even hairdressers!

I’d say this is an essential service

Especially for the ladies

 

These are interesting times

Health care workers

Are putting themselves in danger

To save others’ lives

 

These are interesting times

Families can spend more time together

And we are forced to slow down

 

These are interesting times

Resilience is needed

Hope is essential

Patience is necessary

And creativity is helpful

 

These are interesting times

Kind words and deeds go a long way

Prayer and meditation provide a balm

Nature is still our playground

 

These are interesting times

We can see that the world has become

A global village

Cooperation is needed

And we each need to do our part

 

March 26th, 2020

What is one to do?

Mar23

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Leaving when not yet done

Little time left for saying good bye

Sudden departure

Unexpected

Leaving a very special spot

 

But isn’t that how the world works

Our plans are often interrupted

Sometimes we are blindsided

And then we have to say good bye

To things, people or plans close to our hearts

A beautiful building we had built in our mind

Crumbles and falls

 

And what is one to do but endure the pain

Of separation from a loved one

Or a plan not fulfilled

What is one to do but accept the situation as it is

What is one to do but to be thankful

For what remains

 

March 23rd, 2020

Waiting to grow up

Mar9

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I sometimes feel like I’m still waiting to grow up

That other people (those who are grown up)

Are doing the important things

I sometimes feel

Oh, in a few years I’ll be better at this

I should keep practicing

I sometimes feel others are far more experienced than me

They have grown up and are the real deal

I sometimes feel like I’m eighteen

I feel insecure

Not ready

Watching others do things more competently than me
But then I realize

This is it!

It’s as good as it’s going to be

That I’ve already done a lot of practicing

I will obviously not be good at many things

Many people will surpass me in different fields

But this is it

I have grown up

Even though I feel like I’m eighteen and still practicing

 

March 9th, 2020

 

Vaccine

Mar5

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The world is in the grips of a deadly virus

The evidences of which are clear for all to see

Every one is told to be careful

And follow instructions to stay safe from this virus, this disease

But what about the invisible virus of prejudice and greed?

Of injustice and materialism?

Who is looking at the ramifications of these?

Who is giving instructions for our safety?

We see the result of prejudice and greed

Why don’t we look for a vaccine?

We see what injustice and materialism have led to

Why don’t we try to prevent these?

The diseases of the body get a lot of attention

But not the diseases  of our soul and our spirit

March 5th, 2020

The strength in our scars

Feb28

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My friend told me very matter of factly

That she had had a double mastectomy

I had to take a minute to digest what she said

And yet she is the one who had gone through such an invasive surgery

 

She didn’t seem to feel sorry for herself

She had a serene look on her face

She said some things had actually improved in her home life as a result

 

I’m sure what she had gone through could not have been easy

Where did her strength come from?

 

The mystery of sacrifice

We give up something to gain something else

 

Is it fair?

Perhaps it’s not about fairness

It’s about our response to the challenges of life

 

If through suffering, we didn’t gain strength

That would be unfair

 

Our scars are the symbols of our resilience

Our fortitude

Our victory

 

February 27th, 2020

Words soaring

Feb27

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The scene is beautifully painted with words

Words, subtle

Words, descriptive

Words, powerful

Words, booming

Words, colorful

Words, soaring 

 

And this tapestry composed of words

With threads of gold, silver and silk

Is a feast for the eyes

Puts a smile on my face

 

The craftsmanship is second to none 

Created with love

Telling a story 

 

Words, magnetic

Words, magical

Words, intricate 

Conveying the complexity of the mind of the artist

 

Words are the emanation of the soul

Creating the most exquisite tapestry

 

February 26th,  2029