I’m sorry I stopped by today.
I know better; I should have phoned.
But daffodils had come my way,
And we both have felt so alone.
I thought they would bring you true cheer;
These months of COVID drag on long.
Yet, today dawned so bright and clear,
As sweet as any robin's song.
I rang the bell with no delay,
Excited to see my dear friend…
From doorway you yelled, “Go away!
Don't come near me until 'this' ends!”
Quickly, you slammed shut your front door;
I was too stunned to move away.
I tried to salvage pride and more;
Not allow my tears to betray.
I only meant to leave my gift;
A proper mask covered my face.
I stood there confused and adrift,
An intruder, filled with disgrace.
I've had the vaccine; so have you.
We've followed orders; heeded harm.
All our loved ones have made it through;
Your strident words caused great alarm.
I placed the flowers on porch floor;
Perhaps you'll enjoy them tonight,
Should you step from behind locked doors,
And welcome their promising sight.
For now, know that I miss your smile,
And I will try to understand,
How crippling fear that's traveled miles,
Now wields its grip on friendship's hand.
<<<~~~>>>
I’m sorry I stopped by today.
I know better; I should have phoned.
But daffodils had come my way,
And now I truly feel alone...
|
Author Notes
The landscape of our lives has changed dramatically during the past year. This offering is not a dismissal or denial of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I wrote this piece to bring about awareness of the psychological and emotional toll this pandemic is exerting on many individuals. It is an aspect that is only beginning to be discussed and realized.
I'm not condemning my friend or anyone else who feels as she does; her/their fear is real to her/them. But we must never lose our humanity despite the challenges of this chaotic time. And that is my greatest fear...
"I must say a word about fear. It is life's only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life. It is a clever, treacherous adversary, how well I know. It has no decency, respects no law or convention, shows no mercy. It goes for your weakest spot, which it finds with unnerving ease. It begins in your mind, always ... so you must fight hard to express it. You must fight hard to shine the light of words upon it. Because if you don't, if your fear becomes a wordless darkness that you avoid, perhaps even manage to forget, you open yourself to further attacks of fear because you never truly fought the opponent who defeated you."
Yann Martel, Life of Pi
Thank you for reading.
diane kenel-truelove
|
|
