A student stayed online today
  to ask an earnest question:

               "Will this pandemic have a lasting
                 impact upon society, or will it, too,
                 be forgotten like the Spanish Flu?"

I hadn't thought of a reply just then;
instead, I stared through the screen
and spoke from my heart.

"I think everyone in school right now
will be fundamentally shaped
by this magnanimous event;
in prior generations, it was world wars
and Vietnam, for me it was 9/11,
but this year's tragedy will become
a fixture in your collective memory."

"My hope is that your generation
will rekindle society's compassion
and generosity,
that you will grow
from these months
of social isolation
to listen more closely,
engage in meaningful conversations
honor older generations,
your schools,
and the value
of a hard day's work."

                            "You mean to be a more kind,      
                             respectful, and responsible  
                             generation," he said smiling.

"Yes, and to show those
older and younger
what it means to be enriched
by hardship,
wise through self reflection,
humbled by uncertainties
and unknowns."

Ka か
Ke け
Ki き
Ko こ
Ku く

I write,
Over and over again,
As if chanting silently
To ward off
Forgetfulness
And a growing sense
Of impending mediocrity.

Let’s take a ride
With photos as our guide

Not that they are enough
But they bring out all the stuff

Those collection of instances
Those endearing reminiscences

Each picture tells a tale
Dragging us on its trail

More than anything else
It subjects your inner self

You contemplate with a new perspective
And gradually become introspective

Those memories caress you
When you are lost and feeling blue

The journey ends up to meet yourself
Getting the push to move forward oneself.

new announcement:
due Monday at 11:59 PM
unit assignment
requires: more energy than I can muster right now.

each morning repeats;
wake up to notifications and expectations
forcing a mindset that is almost impossible to maintain
every minute that passes
is a minute wasted.

timelines approach,
all that is felt is
indescribable exhaustion
is that assignment really due,
or is this all my imagination?

this all feels like
an overlapping, metaphorical Sisyphus;
every day I push one boulder up a hill,
but there are several others deserving of my attention
and they are never ending.

A forked tongue on display
Desperate to divert apart
as head and heart seem separate
Sometimes we have to surrender to loss as opportunity knocks
Times will come when
difficult decisions are deemed useful
As transitions are a learning tool for all
Pain is part of the process of progress
Acknowledge the logical steps that need to be met
Some set criteria may be inferior
But agree to abide by these guidance rules