For How Long?
Pricked by the needle of a pandemic,
society sequestered – periwinkle
skies above each skyscraper, like
salient exclamation marks, signalling
just how much our air needed purifying
Fewer cars, to none, meant the earth
could inhale, could beat her heart loudly –
could watch the cloud of consumption
dissipate, if only for a moment
To spread her mountain wings in their full
glory, and holler to the seas and back again:
“I am here!”
But how long will we listen?
How long will we see?
How long will we care?
(Cristy Watson, 2021)
I’m in awe of how you’ve managed to use the words in the prompt to speak about the pandemic. Kudos! Beautiful piece!
Thank you!! I appreciate your thoughts!! Will definitely check yours out this week, too!
Cristy, this is lovely and full of so much meaning. I lost a frirmf yo cancer and I can understand
Wonderful use of the words, to tell a story that wouldn’t seem to have anything to do with those words. Very clever.
Thanks, teriharroun!! I’m so glad this poem worked…
Thank you, Solape Adeyemi for your thoughts on my cancer poem and I am sorry you lost your friend – that is tough!! Sending healing hugs…
How long will we listen? Not a moment longer than we have to, apparently.
Enjoying reading your poems.
Thank you again! I am happy this one worked and yes – your line is poignant – ‘not a moment longer than we have to…’ It is so sad – I really feel this past year gave us a chance to do things differently, going forward. At least, there is always poetry!
One of the best pandemic poems I’ve read. Love it
Thank you, Amy! I appreciate your feedback! 🙂
I love this poem. So powerful!
Thanks so much!! Glad you liked it.