MAJOR WILCO: Something this way comes...

I asked the Poets to write about their impressions of this time of social distancing and their thoughts and feelings about the COVID-19 virus, their experiences of honoring this time of reflection, of remembering rituals from past Easters, and, of course, that this virus teaches us that to survive, it is all about Love.

Distance

We knit the distance between us

like strands of yarn held

on numbered needles

that click and clack

as we’re cast on

and looped round one another

stitch after stitch

row after row

we slip, slip, over and under

in front and behind

purled, straight, stockinette

two or more are gathered

and we form attachments

the fibers of being gathered

into patterns slowly revealed

until we’re bound off

tools of our making set aside

and the creator admires

what we’ve come to be

Cathy Warner

Distance

Never been much

For crowds

Too noisy

too many emotions

Whirling above

Someone always

Between me and

The exit

For people

Such as I

Social distancing

Is a blessing

Lynn Oatman

The Value of Fear

Unseen threat lurking on steel and cardboard,

Awaiting unsuspecting hopefuls who believe they are immune

Or who believe their incomplete precautions will ward off ill.

It seeps into our psyche and takes up residence

In insecurities, anger at politics, and fear of death,

Stealing intimacy which fears contact with those not as careful as ourselves.

It is fear which grabs our psychic crotches and pulls us down toward panic,

And holds us tight in the dark as we toss and turn.

We write, draining black ink on white paper to purge this poison.

We ride into the wind, listening to birds,

Taking in the smell of blossoms that beacon nearby spring.

We scan the ground for ants to spare and neighbors to cast a smile toward

Knowing we are not alone in this time.

For only in such perspective will we rise above and know

That fear of fear itself is futile

And that only in our own best efforts will we find peace...

Wendy Greer

Morning Grace

I will hold you when we cannot touch,

I will strengthen you from outside, in,

I will love you still just as much

as when I first welcomed you in.

I will listen whenever you need,

I will talk when words don't come,

I'll be with you till we're freed,

then we'll all celebrate as one.

Then we will dance together,

touching and close,

holding on forever

in post-pandemic pose.

A once forbidden embrace,

my hand caressing your face

like a fresh-picked rose

within morning's grace.

We will hold love when we cannot touch,

we will strengthen ourselves from within,

we will champion others as much

as others guided us safely right in.

We will listen when others need,

we will talk when their words can't come.

We'll be together once we're all freed,

when this virus is done,

celebrate every one,

celebrate the battle won!

Then we will dance together

touching and close,

holding on forever

in post-pandemic pose.

A once forbidden embrace,

my hand caressing your face

like a fresh-picked rose

within morning's grace,

a rose within mourning's grace.

We rise within morning's grace.

Lorraine Hart

Quietly Awake

After a night of rain

with clouds so dense

the full moon barely shown,

a gray morning

of dim light and showers;

tall evergreens stretch their limbs,

birds circle in the mist and quietly

the budding plum tree awakes.

Don Hynes

donhynes@cnnw.net

Easter, San Xavier

Here in this place on Easter morning

A symphony of sacred sounds,

Sacred seeds and

Sacred words.

Ancient music echoes

On hallowed walls

As San Francisco, Kateri

And Maria watch.

Church bells ring:

Loud

Insistent

Dissonant

Cultures that once in this place clashed

Meld in one glorious cacophony

Sacred sounds, sacred seeds and

Sacred bells.

Laura Martinez

Deeper Inside the Soul

Love─love, keeps flowing deeper.

Love─love, a sacred keeper.

Love─love, keeps flowing deeper.

Deeper, inside my soul.

Love─love, flows like a river.

Love─love, makes life shimmer.

Love─love, flows like a river.

Deeper, inside the soul.

Love─love, calls to the sunlight.

Love─love, brings out the moonlight.

Love─love, shines like the starlight.

Deeper, inside the soul.

Love─love, for all creation.

Love─love, for every nation.

Love─love, a celebration.

Deeper, inside the soul.

Love─love, everyday.

Love─love, come on let’s play.

Love─love, in every-way.

Deeper, inside the soul.

Mokasiya