Many Tidings

In life, it seems, there are often many things of which to be downcast over. I have my moments of despair. In living with my condition, I find I must find novel ways to lift myself beyond the particular tar pits which present a snare.

Often writing is my principal weapon, trying to create something of a more lucid, lighter air always presents an enormous challenge. There are times the conviction overwhelms my soul that there is no talent or wisdom within on which to draw. Yet, I cannot forsake the words, lines, for they will seek me out and become mine.

I have not been into my town or seen a human in the flesh since March 14. It is not unusual for me to go for some weeks without leaving my redoubt, but this is the longest ever. I must break this soon. I did not realize how even speaking with strangers had such a positive effect until this restriction.

I occupy my time. I thought I would work against the mess here, but I, as often, have no inclination to do so. I make small inroads, but unlike the wholesale change, others might affect, I avail little.

Time is always erratic, but in the pandemic, it has become bizarre. I have no idea when it is most of the time. Confusing days, hours, minutes, and when I do mark them, they run strangely.

Had I known how the world would be besieged, I would never have chosen to do a 2020 Creativity Project in which I am, of my own volition, served with the duty of working here each day. I fear I may fall short of inspiration and encouragement to share. Somedays, I want to hide in the rushes in a dark corner of my cave and make nothing.

Enough. I love this too. It is what I do. Having lost my copy editing hobby job, at least temporarily, I have plenty of moments to follow obscure trails within the country of my mind.

I expect this will not be a popular post, but I need to get some thought of what life is now into permanent form, The internet lives forever, or at least until the grid ceases.

When tucked away inside
Do more than just survive,
Create something, thrive.

*****

Nothing can hold us down
If we build each other up
With encouragement and love.

*****

We all belong
Because we are here,
Beloved and precious.

*****

The Earth is the Lord’s,
We are only visitors –
We should use love, care.

*****

Each time when we talk
The words come near emerging,
But they sip away.

*****

No one walks into
The distance without caution,
Life may be forfeit.

*****

These skeleton words
May build a structured body,
Or fall waste apart.

*****

Levity may lift
Spirits a while, but these times
Try the strongest souls.

*****

Every day is so strange;
Different in challenges,
Unique in its gifts.

*****

No one understands
How work arrives without plan,
We create at will.

*****

A bird in a tree
Longs to rise into the sky,
Our dreams also fly.

*****

I hope all is well with every one of you. I hope you are finding joy in this disruption. Maybe we needed a time-out to reprioritize what we do. I do not believe even something as troublesome as this pandemic will only have an adverse effect. I think great good can come from it.

I apologize for the lateness of this posting. It has been an unusual day.

This Now

Now is an extension
Of every now this pandemic
Has held us, hostage;
For some, it began with
The first announcement,
There was a disturbing
Feeling, an uneasy inkling.
One hopes for the best,
But it is nowhere found,
A world on lockdown.
Life at home becomes
The new normal,
Some find themselves
Desperate for escape,
Some grow fearful of any
Exterior contact, staying sheltered.
Children homeschooled,
Telecommuting, lay-offs,
Entertainments canceled,
Doctors, nurses, medical
Professionals pressed beyond
Human limits, risking all,
And steadily, death tolls rise.
We are yet together, connected
Because of virtual life,
All of us, aware, knowing,
Hoping that humanity can go
Forward into a now where
Dying is no longer a constant
Fear, contagion is not everywhere,
A now where we can embrace
One another in loving security.

Unique Moments

This thing has taught us
There are moments things almost
Seem reasonable,
But no one is yet prepared;
Reality packs a surprise.
Everything devolves, goes
Crazy,
Many lose something basic,
Then there is a rewind
Setting the needle in the groove,
Things appear manageable.
The moment authorities say,
“Shelter in Place,”
The deadly foretaste of contagion
Grows large as the threat of
Nuclear annihilation ever became.
People unprepared to isolate
Accustomed to their busyness,
Business
As was usual
With limited skills for
Self-containment, individual
Entertainment, but learning.
Over time we become at ease
With the quiet, adapting, evolving,
Able to practice talents,
Discover
Gifts previously unknown,
Growing into the persons
This moment of invention
Has allowed us to become.

Yesterday fled before I could get this written down. I was involved in the laundry, which could become a real beast if I am not careful. The PAD Challenge prompt on Poetic Asides was “A Moment.” Robert always says we do not have to adhere to the prompt strictly, so I stepped a bit away.

I suspect everyone is fighting some personal monsters in this pandemic. If you are struggling, I encourage you to lean over your well of creativity and draw some motivation up to carry you forward.

I never thought when I started this 2020 Creativity Project, it might become a life preserver, but little did I know. Working here every day, even when I cannot do it, when I have other things to do, when I feel like nothing matters, when I am nobody, somehow keeps me going. The beauty of recognizing and drawing on art, creativity, imagination is they give us hope, resilience, and strength.

God be with you and bless you magnanimously from the abundance of His LOVE. Continue to shine bright all you glorious ones meaning each of you. If you knew the beauty of who you are, it would overwhelm you. Peace. Stay Whole & Well.

Unexpected Blessing

It has come to this,
Moreso than ever before
Every wake-up, we
Celebrate, because we are
Here, we again SURVIVED!
Our incredible
Year makes hours precious,
Priceless, dear, each moment
A miracle beyond the norm;
No expectation of
Far-reaching futures spooling
Out on Earth endlessly.
Today
Is
Enough
To search out a happiness
Needed in the present course,
We have called
“Cease Fire”
On anything unnecessarily
Negative, anyone abusive,
All government intrusion,
Unprofitable illusions,
Simplicity
Has overcome complications.
Humanity
Is become a Whole World
Pulling together for life,
Standing as ONE,
We are completely inclined
To feeling overwhelming love
For all, there is, and one another,
Working together to save and heal
What we are able, the planet changes
With our consistent hope
And constant prayers,
The Lord hears,
Restores much
And will wipe away
Our tears.

I wrote this in the night-time morning hours of today. Several days ago, the prompt on Prompted Positive Poetry was “Cease Fire.” I think I liberated it a bit, but you may realize I tend to do such.

Candid Conversation

Reflection, who is,
And is not, even real, me;
You know what goes on
Where shadows caress my eyes
I know you, doubly, the spy.
I hide away, me,
But a mirror always sees
Behind the public facade;
Where I present as okay,
Not speaking the frequent doubts
The horrible fears,
Pain thoroughly convincing me
I am surely cursed.
Mirror, please now realign
My face with bright eyes, sure smile,
Be the expression
I carry when I cannot cope
Give me steadfast hope
Shore up my courage, with faith,
Teach me to be better, me.
Mirror, I hope life
Where you are is kinder, gentler,
Than this ongoing disaster,
You have the only face seen
Recently, ah, please do not cry
I know somehow you can get by,
Me, well, I will try, and you know
Already, when I will, I thrive.

The prompt on the Facebook Group, Prompted Positive Poetry today is, “Mirror.” If you have never done a creative work based on your mirror doppelganger or anything really about mirrors, you should try it. Like Snow White, Dorian Gray, and others, the mirror has fascinating possibilities.