Little More Than Words
I may write of the trials imposed by a pandemic
with words that speak of separation and isolation,
the trial of being removed from fellow man,
but there is no disparity for me these days.
My one connection here was carefully chosen.
Since moving to the mid-west, I have not
been a social animal, except through the convenience
of technology, this digital medium connecting
me to others with common interests, remotely.
Do I find safety in a distance I have known all along?
Separation from family is my one trial, a choice I made
when I made this move. There are no others,
and little else, to trouble me by separation.
I am held up by the love that brought me here.
And so, I read, and I write, sometimes about the distance
imposed by an invisible force that keeps people apart.
It may be hard to believe, but love already does that.
Anything else is little more than words.
Today is Day 25 of National/Global Poetry Writing Month. I took one look at the prompt at napowrimo.net and knew there was no way I would even (want) to try meeting it. For one thing, the prompt actually came from a poetry workshop, and it has more in bullet points than my typical poem has in words. Secondly, it’s based on a poem that reads like a book. It includes a reading that takes 34 minutes. Again, that’s more minutes than my typical poem has in words. In addition, it was clear that any response would likely be a narrative, and as I said recently, I’m usually not one for writing narrative poems. (Guess what? I ended up writing one, anyway.)
Instead of following the prompt, I’ve done further edits to a prose poem I’ve been working on for the past two weeks, the current draft being a conversion to stanzas. This is that draft.
rivrvlogr 
Oh my – I like your poem very much, and especially resonate with your commentary on the prompt! Bravo for your wave at the prompt as you trot off on your own path!
And thank you for being part of my digitally-connected network. I’m having far less adjustment to COVID isolation than many – having chosen to honor my inner introvert upon retirement – almost 18 years now!
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There’s a lot to think about here. I’m a person who normally spends a lot of time alone, yet I’m really tired of me. I talk to my daughters every night, but I miss the hugs, the touch of another human, from them and from my friends. It doesn’t take that much to satisfy that craving I guess. But having none is really hard. (K)
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I enjoy my visits, but travel is infrequent (and I knew it would be when I made the choice to move). While I probably wouldn’t be seeing my family right now (due to stay at home) if I lived back there, proximity still makes a difference in attitude.
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Once I got more settled into things, and that took time (not because I mind the social restrictions but because I don’t adjust to changes easily, and wow these changes they sure did drop on us fast) I am starting to accept things now and try to make sense of things. Blog friends , I don’t know what I would have done without you. This poem really hit home for me.
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I know this is a connection I truly appreciate.
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This poem resonates with me–and those last few lines really hit. What we do for love.
I’m not feeling the restrictions as badly as some people either, except there’s that constant low-level anxiety–I usually only walk early in the morning so I won’t meet anyone. And I know I’m fortunate to be in isolation with my husband. I know some people who are alone and really feeling it.
I agree with your points about the prompt, too. 😀
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Thank you, Merril. Moving here, I knew I would miss the old. It’s been eight years, and time and age have seemed to magnify it.
Meanwhile, with grocery stores counting heads on entry (due to restrictions), it’s easy to maintain a distance. Some double that distance, while others still don’t seem to get it, which is frustrating.
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