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In our covid-stricken world we live in partial isolation resisting the temptation to do as we've always done As we try to come to terms with our novel circumstances we dream of things like summer dances and roaming 'round the city just for fun Myriad daily bulletins show scary numbers rising so it's not at all surprising that we don't believe the war's already won We're going to have to find a safe and comfortable routine for our time in quarantine that I think perhaps has only just begun What am I missing in this new life we lead? What can I do without? What do I need? I'm missing the kissing and the fond embraces But not the loud and crowded places I don't miss rush hour or long check-out lines or having to primp and get dressed to the nines There aren't many things I genuinely pine for Not much I'm willing to stand in line for To be more specific I ask myself this: what do I actually honestly miss? Perhaps an espresso at a favorite café or dining with friends who have something to say Being free to do whatever I please and go where I like with the greatest of ease Movies and galleries on hot afternoons Family birthdays with cake and balloons Keeping away from the children is tough Six feet apart is just not close enough I worry the little ones don't understand why they can't hold their great-uncle's hand The cruelest constraint till the pandemic ends is social distance from family and friends There are some stubborn citizens with short attention spans Who don't appear to notice that there's been a change of plans They want to dine in restaurants and socialize in bars Their children crave amusement parks and rides in bumper cars They want to go to stadiums to mingle with the crowd Yet see no need to wear a mask and swear they won't be cowed But lately I've been noticing how much the crowds have thinned As some of us are blown away by the illest kind of wind These boundaries are stifling and none of us are fans Of course we want our lifestyle back but there's been a change of plans It’s been a crazy April and it isn’t going to change in May
The damn pandemic is looking like it’s here to stay We’re not going outside till all the pestilence has blown away When this mess is over there’s going to be some hell to pay I count my blessings daily as I’m sure that you count yours I don’t mind that I have to do my share of all the household chores We order food online and it’s delivered by the local stores It’s not bad if you can handle simple living in the great indoors The mighty market’s crashed and the economy’s not doing too well Our future looked so rosy till the virus came and broke the spell Now we’re amazed to see how everything has gone to hell "C’est la vie" say the old folks, "it goes to show you never can tell" With thanks to Chuck Berry We’re trying to be more flexible whatever we arrange For nothing’s really set in stone and everything can change A telegram might go astray A card could be declined The promise made by so-and-so may simply slip her mind An unexpected pair of queens will beat a pair of jacks A password on a post-it note can slip between the cracks The wind can drop The sails can droop The boat can run aground The peg supplied with some square holes may actually be round The fickleness of fate contrives to keep us on our toes We like to think we’re in control but honestly, who knows? tony beckwith 2020 Some like the jungle Some like the beach Some like to break the rules Some like to preach Some prefer the status quo Some like revolutions Some enjoy a free-for-all Some like institutions Everyone's on board the train about to leave the station Last chance to confirm the route and final destination Last chance to give some thought to what we ought to pack For we're off to meet the future and we're never coming back We're all thankful for so many things
Some material. Some divine Here are some of mine: I'm thankful for those who lighten my load And the smell of raindrops on a dusty road A ceiling fan in the summer heat Four walls and a roof. Enough to eat Some time to sow, some time to reap A good day's work and a good night's sleep Helpful clues to the great unknown Any distraction from my mobile phone A word of encouragement, a word to the wise A happy ending, a pleasant surprise A constant friend, you know the kind: dependable but hard to find Fun invitations out of the blue just when I have nothing to do Words that matter, words that rhyme A telephone call in the nick of time Indoor plumbing and caller ID Amazon deliveries wherever I may be A chance to listen, a chance to speak A lucky break, a winning streak I'm thankful for singers and their song and silver linings when things go wrong A view of the Earth from a hot air balloon Sun-warmed shoulders on a wintry afternoon These are a few, as I said before Just some of the things I am thankful for What if one day you woke to find you were no longer as you've always been? Now driven by a curious mind to gaze at all you've never seen Like one emerging from a dream you pack your bags and sail away Forswearing all you most esteem though loathe to leave, you cannot stay No doubt you'll falter as you roam on stormy seas or lonely track But though you'll often yearn for home you know there is no turning back One day you'll step across a line then turn to contemplate your past When all your yesterdays combine you'll feel yourself complete at last You'll hold your future in your hands your destiny now set in stone A connoisseur of many lands there's one you'll pick to be your own A well-lived life will help you learn precisely where you're meant to go When it is finally your turn to plant your seed and watch it grow Tripped and stumbled Landed on my head Broke my favorite collarbone so here I am in bed Time drifts along in a blur of days Pain meds keep me in a permanent haze What am I doing here? What was your name? Tuesdays and Saturdays all look the same Take another x-ray Pop another pill Thank God for Medicare Send them the bill Hope it doesn’t take too long to mend my wounded wing Everything’s a challenge with my good arm in a sling OMG!!
Oh my God!! Can this be true?? After all these years is it really you?? You’re looking great, I must admit, I swear you haven’t changed a bit!! Get together? I’d love to, very much! Yes, yes, let’s do that, we must stay in touch! It’s so good to see you! We go back so far! (If only I could remember who you are!) Confession We call it a crush but I loved you deeply then in the only way I knew how: Shyly From a distance In my mind You were neither cruel nor kind but you looked right through me in the hall You didn’t really see me at all While I had eyes for you alone If only you’d known! Why? If you and I are grapes from the very same vine, why are some of your memories of the times we shared so different from mine? |
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