Longing for the times when I was living free – Covid-19 6


Longing for the times that used to be 

How many new lives will be made?

How many bills go will go unpaid?

How many relationships will be charmed?

How many people will be harmed?

i-Stock photo

Are you a doomsayer and glad?

Are you an optimist and sad?

Do you still think this ain’t real?

Will you risk it for a thrill?

 

 

 

Will your messes get cleaned?

Will you say fuck it – icecream?

Can you use this time wisely?

Will you bitch and moan and embrace misery?

 

How many toenails will grow?

How many weaves will go ‘fro?

Could this be the dress rehearsal?

Might this be humanity’s reversal?

 

I don’t know about you but I know about me

I long for the times they when I was living free,

I long for the times “they used to be.”*

Related:

Lucille Clifton, late Poet Laureate, wrote a children’s book, The Times They Used to Be.* The title inspired the title of my poem.

Tribe of Good People by Candelaria Silva

Millions of Beautiful Things by Candelaria Silva


About Candelaria Silva

Candelaria Silva-Collins is a marketing, community outreach and programming consultant; writer; and trainer/facilitator who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She has designed and facilitated workshops on a wide variety of topics including communication, facilitation, job search skills, team building, and parenting issues. She currently coordinates the Community Membership Program of the Huntington Theatre Company. Her work as Director of ACT Roxbury was profiled in several publications, including The Creative Communities Builders Handbook. Candelaria’s children’s stories, short stories, essays and reviews have been published in local and national publications and she is an active blogger. Her publications include the booklets, Handling Rejection; Pushing through Shyness: Networking Tips when You’re Shy, Slow to Warm Up or Just don’t Feel you Belong; and Real Questions about Sex & Relationships for Teens: A Discussion Guide for Parents. She has served on the boards of Goddard College, Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston Foundation for Architecture, and Discover Roxbury. She is currently Chair, Designators of the Henderson Foundation.

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6 thoughts on “Longing for the times when I was living free – Covid-19

  • LANA JACKSON

    I’m kind of liking this “alone-time”! Not having to justify not-being social —and finally get some much-needed work done! Yeah…! I’ve built 9 frames this last week alone! When stir crazy, I take a walk in the neighborhood. Hope this feeling remains thru this crisis.

    • Candelaria Silva Post author

      It is great you are doing your work during this “alone time.” I, too, am getting lots of things done but I do miss freedom to hop on the train and go where I want to go. I miss movies and theater out as opposed to end. Still, I’m getting a lot done including writing and cleaning up papers. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

    • Candelaria Silva Post author

      Social media is essential. I do find, however, that it can be overdone, especially the zoom-a-zoom-zooms. Some of the opportunities for extra togetherness and social with work people outside of the business meetings are feeling piled-on. A small complaint and observation. Some folks have to fill-in space and quiet. Thanks for taking time to read and leave your thoughts..

  • Peggy Cameron

    Interesting times we are living in Candelaria!
    I am an optimist who is sad for all the less fortunate people in the world.
    This virus will change the way we live for at least 6 months.
    Uncertainty is one of the most difficult human experiences, because a sense of control is so vital to our health and well-being, our minds go to great lengths to gain a sense of control in the face of uncertainty.
    I feel kindness and compassion will help ease the discomfort of uncertainty.
    Take care dear friend, keep shining, keep smiling.
    Peggy xxxx