We are all under the same sky
And the sun sets as surely
On bad days as on good
And will rise again timely
On tomorrow’s troubles
And light up its joys
However much we try
With procrastinating ploys
To waste away our time
Think of those gone from us
Who wanted just one more day
And night under the same stars
Perhaps their time was short
To dream and look to the sky
So live well and take your chance
Because you can, that’s why

As the sun rose a welcome ray
Holding us in its embrace
Was that your spirit come to say
I’ll hold you up and leave a trace
Of goodness in this world?
As the birds sang their hearts out
With the joys of a new day
Was that your spirit come to shout
I’m free, I’m flying, I’m on my way
I’m leaving this world?
As the breeze stirred with sweetness
As we breathed in its scent
Was that your keenness
The last of your energy spent
To reach another world?

After you see the look
Of pain and fear in his eye
After you feel the chances
Slipping on by
After you bear witness
To the screaming shaking pain
After the wave of anger
Washes you with blame
After you feel hope slipping
From your very hands
After you soothe and comfort
And hope he understands
After the grief of what can’t be
Of not accepting where you’re at
Good luck finding sweet dreams
After all that

I’m standing in the spotlight of the gas station
Waiting for the tank to fill
Doing the mundane and ordinary
Glad that I’m not ill
I look up at the inky blackness
So dark against the glare
The wind stirs and snowflakes drift
Towards me standing there
Illuminated....      
                         ......sparkling
Floating...........
                          Ethereal.......
I’m not a fan of winter
My fingers frozen to the bone
I’d rather have a summer day
And make the beach my home
But the beauty in small things
Lifts my heart from doom
Each tiny speck of crystal white
Brightening the gloom
Perhaps they are a blessing
Saying I’ll be alright
Perhaps they are a promise
That I’ll have a better night
Maybe they’re a sign
From one who passed as I held her
A thank you and goodbye
A pause to reflect and remember

Isolation
Self isolation
From the virus
From social contact
From education
From earning a living
From access to food
From life

Welcome
Your new friends
Rub shoulders with anxiety
Meet confusion
Find loneliness
Wake up to depression
Try not to sit close to panic
Reach an understanding with grief