Hundreds of brilliant white seagulls soaring
High above the dark blue ocean

Seagulls

Swirling around so fast they are hard to distinguish
They are just a blur

Seagulls

Suddenly they turn, aiming towards the sun
Flying higher and higher

Seagulls

So  that they can no longer be seen
But their faint cries can still be heard

Seagulls
As they disappear into the clouds
Watching their flight is majestic

Seagulls

The movements and speed
Like witnessing something being created
Part of the artistry of Mother Nature

Seagulls

It’s a beautiful day.
Bright white fluffy clouds in the sky.
A slight cool breeze is gently blowing.
The air is clear and fresh.
Off in a distance, a horse has jumped the gate of a corral.
It’s running free towards the mountains.
Moving faster and faster.
Till it finally disappears into the distance.
Like a mirage.
Freedom

The sun is out!
After a dark storm
With lots of pouring rain
Heaviness
High winds
Dark gray skies
The sun finally comes
Like a welcome friend
Bright, golden, warm
Enticing
Blue sky returns
Set against marshmallow white clouds
Sunshine bliss

Everything is clean
Washed by nature
The city takes on a new look
Streets look better
Windows shine
Flower colors are striking
Trees stand taller
Reaching up towards the sky
Grass is greener
Sunshine bliss

Moods brighten
Smiles are bigger
People feel lighter
If freed from something
Laughter is louder
Sunshine bliss

Look through the darkness
Into the light
It may be hard to see
At first
But it’s there
It’s always been there
Since the beginning
It offers comfort
It offers healing
Each time you do this
Darkness lifts

Close your eyes
Smell the air
The freshness
Notice the slight aroma in the air
The flowers
Their sweet perfume
It flavors the world
With their scent
Each time you do this
Darkness lifts

Listen to the birds
Singing their songs
Notice their beauty
Their grace
As they fly through the air
With such ease
Each time you do this
Darkness lifts

It first came in the winter
Of last year
Slowly
It was a hidden enemy
Not visible
But it left its mark
It would move across a country
Touching people one by one
Parts of the world watched
Assuming it would not reach them
Unfortunately they were wrong

The virus

We had been warned about this before
That something like this could happen
One day just like history
Things would repeat
This came true last year
It brought illness and death
It crushed countries
New heroes emerged
They were the new warriors
We were in a different war
All of humanity

The virus

It slowly moved from Asia to Europe
Then on to other places
Soon the entire world
Some places were hit harder than others
Borders closed down
Travel ended
People stopped going out
A new normal was created
The world waited
For science to understand
For science to learn
For a solution
For a vaccine

The virus

At first not much was known
Over time that changed
But the cost was high
In suffering and death
Economies were devastated
No one still knows how this happened
Where did it come from


The virus

Now we are in a new year
2021
Hope was for a fresh start
For an end to this
But things are still pretty much the same
Though there are some treatments
And vaccines are now available
Help is coming slowly
After a long difficult wait
But it’s going to take time

The virus

Doctors, nurses and front line people are heroes
Same for scientists and teachers
People standing up for each other
Neighbors
Families

The virus

Cities shut down
It has changed the world
How we interact with each other
Video chat
Zoom
Online classes
Tours, concerts and movies
Delivery services

The virus

We wait
For the vaccines
For the virus to diminish
For it to end
For another new normal to come
We hope an end is on the horizon
Perhaps by year end
We hope and wait

The virus

Ever since she was a child
She was protected
Something was always there
To keep her safe
Like a shield

It was as if a transparent shield covered her
When she went out
When she was with others
While she slept
Like a shield

Whatever she needed
Came
When there was hurt and pain
She healed
When there was peril and danger
She was safe
Like a shield

It wasn’t of the spirit
It was something else
But it was always there
Covering her
Protecting her
Like a shield

It would never leave her
It would be there till the end
Like a shield
A force of protection

After so much time
With great storms and turbulence
Where people have been waiting such a long time
Things are slowly changing
A calm has come

After so much division and sour feelings
After so much pain and illness
Possibilities and hope have arrived
A calm has come

After heavy darkness
Light has shined through
It shines bright through the clouds
Bringing blue sky
Pushing the darkness away
A calm has come

After great sadness
Heavy hearts
Tears and angst
Joy has arrived
Life has gotten a bit better
Smiles starting to return
A calm has come

After people gave up
After too much stress
They want  to try again
To begin again
Together
A calm has come