A Pandemic of Hope

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 

A Pandemic of Hope

As I stare out the window at a scene I’ve seen before,

Somehow it’s all new to me and it means a whole lot more.

The leafless tree, the chirping birds, a swinging squirrel, the evergreen;

I watch and listen to falling rain, with my nose pressed against the screen.

I’m stuck inside, I can’t go out; stay apart, those are the rules.

Yet on the news people gather close with disregard, acting like fools.

There’s sickness in the air right now; it’s all around us, you and me.

Can’t visit family, can’t visit friends; separated by an unseen enemy.

We are a world divided and not just by these new germs.

Disconnected by lots of outward things and all sorts of ugly terms.

Trivial stuff keeps us at odds, some just looking for a fight.

But in real crisis that should fall away; with lines erased we can unite.

As I take slow, deep breaths the rain falls all around; I hear the pitter patter.

And tears fall, too, as I grieve for our world, focused on much which doesn’t matter.

Status, money, outward “beauty” and material things;

All of that so fleeting and only false joy it brings.

Sharing feelings, hurts and hopes with someone you can trust, 

And being authentic, kind and grateful are some of the only musts.

So take out an eraser, and rub out all those lines.

Let this be a reset to open up, and truly embrace all kinds.

And even if we think we’re good, that we don’t judge and we include;

Surely there is room to improve, and change our attitude.

And if we feel stuck, alone or lost on a road we seem to know,

Perhaps it’s time to chart a new path, redirect, make room to grow.

Now is the perfect time, you see, so just send up a flare.

Be brave, reach out, reach up to someone full of care.

We’re better together than at odds, so lay down the heavy sword.

Keep an eye out for the helpers, a braid is stronger than a single cord.

So as we look out into the world at scenes we’ve seen before,

How can we make it new to us, and mean a whole lot more?