Lockdown inspired poem

This has all inspired a lovely poem.  What is more inspiring is seeing people actually reaching out to each other.  We are not alone.

The real irony is that we are never alone.  We are always accompamied by what can best be described as representatives from the other side.  These are all spirits who have lived a human existence themselves as well and serve to provide assistence provided you ask.  This a bizarre concept to get your mind around and also to properly appreciate.

What makes it tricky is that not all such spirits have your best interests at heart either.  But you can learn to listen and apply rational thought to  shift away bad direction.  ideally you identify with a positive agency and nurture that.  It took me a long time to get there and  I may still be far away.  Yet they have literally cheered me on all my life..



Lockdown 

By Brother Richard Hendrick, OFM 

March 13, 2020 

https://files.constantcontact.com/eaea52b3701/6e970dc8-f66f-4088-9338-9e70e9e7a5f2.pdf

Yes there is fear. 
Yes there is isolation. 
Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. 
Yes there is even death. 
But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise 
You can hear the birds again. 
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet 
The sky is no longer thick with fumes 
But blue and grey and clear. 

They say that in the streets of Assisi 
People are singing to each other across the empty squares, 
keeping their windows open so that those who are alone 
may hear the sounds of family around them. 
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland 
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound. 
Today a young woman I know is busy spreading fliers 
with her number through the neighbourhood 
So that the elders may have someone to call on. 
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples 
are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary 

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting 
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality 
To how big we really are. 
To how little control we really have. 
To what really matters. 
To Love. 

So we pray and we remember that 
Yes there is fear. 
But there does not have to be hate. 
Yes there is isolation. 
But there does not have to be loneliness. 
Yes there is panic buying. 
But there does not have to be meanness. 
Yes there is sickness. 
But there does not have to be disease of the soul 

Yes there is even death. 
But there can always be a rebirth of love. 
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. 
Today, breathe. Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic 
The birds are singing again 
The sky is clearing, 
Spring is coming, 
And we are always encompassed by Love. 
Open the windows of your soul 
And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, 
Sing