Beside Restful Waters

by Greg Hermann

The following are words of an anonymous author:

It was March, 2020.

The streets were empty,

the shops were closed,

people couldn't get out.

But spring did not know,

and the flowers began to bloom,

the sun shone,

the birds sang,

the swallow would soon arrive,

the sky was blue,

the morning arrived early.

It was March, 2020.

Young people had to study on line,

and find occupations at home,

people could no longer go shopping,

or go top the hair dresser.

Soon there would be no more room in hospitals,

and people continued to get sick.

But spring did not know,

the time to go to the garden arrived,

the grass greened.

It was March 2020.

People have been put in lockdown

to protect grandparents,

families and children.

No more meetings or meals,

family celebrations.

The fear became real

and the days were therefore similar.

But the spring did not know,

apples, cherry trees and others bloomed,

the leaves greened.

People started reading,

playing with their families,

learning a language,

singing on the balcony,

inviting neighbors to do the same,

being supportive,

and focusing on other values.

People realized the importance of health,

of suffering,

of this world that had stopped,

of the economy that has plummeted.