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| Balcony concert in Italy. |
This is a strange time to be in the world. When has there ever been another time when all of humanity had to practice social distancing for the survival of the race? Like so many of you, I am feeling the separation from the friends and family that I would normally see in person. I grieve for the thousands of people who are sick or mourning the loss of loved ones who have died of this virus. I weep for the healthcare workers who are overwhelmed by the enormity of their task. And yet, I also see the world community uniting spiritually during this time of physical separation. I see many ways in which the coronavirus is building bridges of oneness.
People from all over the world are joining in prayer and meditation, creating positive energy and light for the healing of our planet, and offering suggestions for healthy ways to spend time alone at home. We have heard people singing together from their balconies in Italy and Spain; we have read poetry by those who have been inspired by the enormity of this experience; we have witnessed the selfless actions of those who continue to offer essential services, and those who sew masks or provide necessities to those who don't have them. My sister is posting online yoga classes and many others are live streaming programs of all kinds for adults and children. Our hearts are growing because of the need of the hour. We are reaching out to one another across borders and oceans, to seek solace, offer support, and share advice.
The coronavirus is helping us to recognize our oneness. May we learn this lesson now so that in the future it won't take a pandemic to wake us up to the truth of our interconnectedness.
I'd like to share some of the poetry and images that give us hope during this cataclysmic time. If you have others to share, please post them under comments!
Poem by Donna Ashworth:
History will remember when the world stopped,
And the flights stayed on the ground,
And the cars parked in the street,
And the trains didn’t run.
History will remember when the schools closed,
And the children stayed indoors,
And the medical staff walked towards the fire,
And they didn’t run.
History will remember when the people sang,
On their balconies, in isolation,
But so very much together,
In courage and song.
History will remember when the people fought
For their old and their weak,
Protected the vulnerable
by doing nothing at all.
History will remember when the virus left,
And the houses opened,
And the people came out,
And hugged and kissed,
And started again.
Pandemic
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
–Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
And this one by my brother:
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
–Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
And this one by my brother:
Pandemic
Steve Harvester
Pardon me, my unknown friend,
For offering you this wine
Across our social distance.
For offering you this wine
Across our social distance.
It is bold, as we must be,
With hints of coffee, cherry,
Chocolate, plum, and leather.
With hints of coffee, cherry,
Chocolate, plum, and leather.
Let us drink in together
Both the wine, and the sunlight,
As it turns brown grass to gold;
Hear the peepers spring to life.
Both the wine, and the sunlight,
As it turns brown grass to gold;
Hear the peepers spring to life.
“Pandemic” hints of “panic”;
Also “pandemonium.”
But here, now, across our space
I take your virtual hand.
Together, we raise glasses.
One leaf trembles on the pond
Then becomes perfectly still.
Also “pandemonium.”
But here, now, across our space
I take your virtual hand.
Together, we raise glasses.
One leaf trembles on the pond
Then becomes perfectly still.
Balcony concerts in Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBByYjjvNzs
Europeans Under Lockdown Are Singing Together and Giving Their Health Care Workers Citywide Ovations: https://slate.com/culture/2020/03/coronavirus-quarantine-singalong-ovation-applause-italy-spain-bella-ciao-volare-nessun-dorma-verbena.html
From Patricia Cota-Robles at the Era of Peace: https://eraofpeace.org/blogs/news/a-positive-opportunity-involving-caronavirus
Blessings to all of my friends around the world. Stay safe, stay well, stay home - but send your love and light around the world to keep those bridges strong!
