Even when we could not touch one another
The news told stories of death and isolation
Yet the earth held a story of life and connection
Spring sprouted reaching out its verdant embrace
Comfort freely offered to all
A blossoming of possibility
Opposition to the catastrophizing of our anxious minds
Each petal a delicate delight to entice the senses
A gift of beauty
Transient like all life
Which made that moment all the more precious
As indefinite separation from our loved ones loomed over us
The steadfast sun brought warmth into our lives
Visiting a little bit longer each day
Caterpillars welcomed social distancing
Temporarily masked in their cocoons
They emerged triumphantly transformed
Prepared to fly to new heights
Still at times I felt the pull
Of humanity’s dread of dark times ahead
Many claimed life as we knew it was over
What would the future hold?
Searching for answers, I ventured into darkness
And marveled at the myriad of stars in the night sky
Points of brilliance we have only ever known from a distance
Their connections revealed a bigger picture
A heavenly map to help lost travelers find direction
That night I dreamed I carried the brilliance of a star
And so did you
In every person a point of light
Uniting to form divine constellations
Empowering humanity to navigate the dark times it dreads
The real question was not
What would the future hold?
Rather it was
What would we hold?
Lose ourselves in our darkness
Or hold onto the guidance of the light
Author Bio:
After years of working a humdrum job, in 2017 Amanda Chandler heard her higher muse calling her back to education and poetry. She recently graduated from NC State University with a MA in Education. Now her life’s mission is to live a truly inspired life guided by her core values and passions. Even when it makes her feel vulnerable, she writes with her authentic voice hoping others may have the courage to do the same.