I have been watching and watching the news about the terrible fire north of me, in Superior and Louisville, Colorado. The tragedy has touched me deeply. I try to imagine what I might feel if I lost everything. What would I escape with if needed? And, like most of you, I'm guessing, I'm waiting for Omicron to slow. We had 20,000 cases posted Wednesday, one day! So I do what I often do with strong emotions, I respond in writing. I wonder how you feel sometimes when people tell you, "Be patient!" In certain places, I suppose it's okay, but in these circumstances, it's a challenge to do so, to achieve a sitting back, to wait.
They Keep Saying “Wait”
An Acrostic Ask
N ote: “Be calm.” inflames instead of comforts.
O ne day here, next day, Wait!
P hilosophically, everything must wait for resolution.
A flower bud waits to bloom.
T oadstools wait for moisture to grow.
I cicles wait for sun in order to drip.
E very family member waits for a baby's arrival.
N ot one person I know wishes to wait for heartbreak.
C an we keen that kind of waiting
E ven if we have no loss ourselves?
Linda Baie ©
Like you, I can't imagine the emotional experience of losing everything as so many of those folks have. How wonderful that we can turn to the page and poetry to process our feelings.
ReplyDeleteI love the images you've chosen for your poem - the various ways in which nature waits. It's very mindful and meditative. Thank you for sharing this today!
Your 'No Patience' writing response is perfect for these times, Linda. And the fact that you worked a toadstool into your poem adds 'mushroom' in my heart for all you are processing. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy goodness...this acrostic really puts waiting into perspective. I remember a long time ago when I wanted to have a baby, I heard, "just relax." Yah. sure. As if being told that helped. I cannot imagine the grief of your community. Personal grief of victims but also the grief of loved ones and community members empathizing with those that are suffering. It's just too much in a pandemic. Take care of yourself right now. I'm glad you wrote this poem. Write us another if you can. You express these feelings perfectly.
ReplyDelete"N ot one person I know wishes to wait for heartbreak." So true, Linda -- you want something good at the end of the wait. Glad you can write about it. Keep putting pen to paper xo
ReplyDeleteI love in your poem the reminder that waiting is part of life. It's a real test of our patience, this pandemic, and our fortitude. I think of all those families touched by those fires. Yes, that would really be a test, losing everything in a fire.
ReplyDeleteWaiting is so hard. And yes, the best way to deal with strong emotions is writing. Your acrostic made me smile. It's like you wrote it for me, one of the most impatient people ever!
ReplyDeleteI cannot begin to imagine what the people near you went and are going through. To lose it all in the grip of winter, this winter. I try hard to focus on calm but like you, patience wears thin, but it is a regular part of life. The waiting. I hope we find joy in the littlest moment of triumph and great joy in all that will mend and go well for us in the months ahead. It is a striking time. I feel so for the young in HS and early years of college and beginning careers, I feel for the littles in school in their masks, I feel so for the teachers trying to educate under these conditions, I feel for leaders trying to figure out how best to help, I feel for the medical community on the frontlines trying to help. I feel for the lost and all they face. There is so much, so much. Right now there is a bit of sun coming through my window and so I will rejoice in that. Tomorrow will be frigid so I will rejoice in my warm blanket that will hold me tight for another day. Thanks, Linda for your poem. Writing does help. Hugs to all.
ReplyDeleteJanet Clare F.
Thanks for your powerful response Linda, it's not easy to wait, these really are unusual times we are living through. Like you I turn to nature for solace and answers during difficult times, and also as a temporary escape. Meditating and deep breathing helps me too, xo.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's so hard to be patient and I think acknowledging that you have no patience right now is brave. There are many needs in our world, and for me it's become very personal as friends face difficult health challenges.
ReplyDeleteThe heartbreak of losing everything in winter challenges us to quit bellyaching and look for ways to help. I think writing this was cathartic for you. I know reading it was good for me.
Bravo, Linda. In this day and age, patience is a virtue that many find hard to achieve. I know that I find waiting to be a difficult task especially when it concerns health and family. Thank you for your words of wisdom. Your post gives me time to ponder and slip into a state of quiet. May your weekend be filled with peace.
ReplyDeleteYou speak such a truth! The acrostic was such a great format. Our cases are climbing and my daughter the nurse is not having fun with her job.
ReplyDeleteYes, we *must* "keen that kind of waiting," along with the actual losses afterwards. There are all kinds of griefs. Thank you, Linda.
ReplyDeleteLovely, Linda. Your poem is packed with emotion and helps to put things in perspective. There are so many things that are so hard right now. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think everyone can relate to your words about waiting!
ReplyDeleteWaiting is SO hard. When kids asked me recently the hardest thing about being an author (as opposed to being a writer), I said it was the waiting! Sending hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteWaiting is one of the hardest things we humans have to do. I like the mix of nature and people you presented.
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to your ponderings about bushfires (and what to take). Have a fire safe that's full of drawings and craft from my boys! Special photos. First editions of my books. But nothing of any 'real' value.
ReplyDeleteI'm often surprised that I still find myself lacking in patience. Given the amount of patience (and persistence and passion) required of authors. I'd have thought I'd be well versed in that by now! I especially love your icicles waiting for the sun. An unexpected expectation/outcome.
Hugs, my friend.