Meditating

                                      Written during the pandemic but still applicable.

What if we see the pandemic

As a hard blessing

and a cue to reflect

That truly

Life is beautiful

And we need to see ourselves

As family

Without distinction

And love each other

And learn to give tenderness,

What if we learn to love

Our Mother Earth

And take care of ourselves

And take care of her.

What if in our isolation

We learn to listen to each other

With understanding

And look with wonder at every pebble

Every shadow.

What if we marvel

At the sunset,

At the song of a bird

And a droplet of water

And what if we listen

With a new ear to the children

And the elders.

And what if we search inside ourselves

And realize

We actually don't need a lot,

That the ultimate beauty

Is what we now miss so much--

To hug,

To look into each other's eyes

That we really lack for nothing.