Member-only story
Ode to the Long Empty Table in Pandemic Times
A flat slab, four corner legs, makes a perfect place to relax,
Indulge platefuls of food and drink fat glasses of wine,
The smells of gravy roast, chocolate and roasted almonds
Massage the anticipations, mingle the conversations;
Laughing, talking, creating, bonding with family’s futures.
Now, close your eyes to see again the memories of celebrations …
The birthdays, anniversaries, the holidays, the renovations;
Touch candlelit hands and lips, palm to palm with new friends;
Contentment settles in remnants from past flux of every day humanity.
No blame … if you don’t want to open your eyes to look at an empty table
In forced hugless isolation by a microscopic invasion breathing death
Without borders, collapsing order, infecting hope, fatiguing stress;
Can’t panic in a world turned upside down, can’t turn the table upside down
Into a blanket covered cage … but for awhile, it may be our only will power
To return to the sanctity of hugs and ample table set for family and friends.
Annemarie Berukoff
HelpfulMindstreamforChanges.com
