There were down days during COVID for me and each of us. This poem written in January 2021 was during one of those periods where loneliness prevailed, and there remain huge unknowns for each of us and for our society.
Staring intently into the strobing light
Seeking direction and foresight
Yet only glare and reflections of the past
Left him feeling empty and quite aghast
From the past he sought to find himself
Finding only photographs on a shelf
Fading memories of accomplishments
And empty words of compliments
He went into the day, with both the sun and rain
Playing the game of contentment being feigned
More of the same being both lonely and alone
The only certainty coming from the unknown
He then went into the night, looking all about
There had to be answers there was no doubt
Yet as he walked well-beaten paths and roads
Even with bright stars and moon, nothing showed
What more could he do when he felt no hope
Life felt so empty, like pushing upward on a rope
What would he say if anyone did perchance ask
To find tomorrow’s reason and life’s real task
Enjoy the moments of life’s mystery journey
Take care of your health – you won’t need a gurney
Find your passion amongst the stars
Try actually writing one’s own memoirs
The counsel sounds so empty and trite
Amongst other answers with no real insight
What is God’s plan? It’s not clear the response
In the present, he remains ensconced.
Back to soul searching and saying his prayers
Talking to oneself and those who might even care
Learn to play some music and perhaps how to crochet
Trying to make a difference each and every day