We’ve been eating breakfast outside, my kids and me. It’s a summer tradition that got bumped up to spring this year since the schools closed. Even with me putting in a few hours maintaining the school garden, and the boys dabbling in online lessons, most of our energy is spent on navigating long days together. So first, we munch on cereal, granola bars, and assorted goodies from the kids’ free “Grab and Go” bags. We point out birds, read stories, or plan the day. Eventually the kids climb, run, swing sticks, etc. Sometimes I manage to read the paper, water plants, or compose poetry. The form seems to fit these slower, uncharted COVID-19 times.
The things I know
Swallows swirling by the bridge
My foster daughter melting into my lap
Pink Mexican evening primrose blooming
My son smiling at his teacher
The things that are new
“I can’t give you a hug”
Monday morning staff meeting
“We’re going on a TRIP!”
Zoom.
Newly known
A net of clouds cast upon the sky
A bumper crop of wolfberries
A zoomed-in view of brittlebush
The birds keep singing.
One morning
I cried for the last refrain of a song about mothers and memory, reliving a dream in which I was searching – for what? – in my grandparent’s backyard.
I smiled at my 4-year-old when she reached her hand up to my cheek and said, “It’s going to be OK”
I yelled to no one in particular when my car didn’t start. “Nooooo!”
I nodded a meek “Thank you” to my husband as I transferred my work stuff to his car.
I cried for joy upon discovering the garden water was repaired at work.
I smiled in relief to return home, where a conga line commenced to go down the street to lunch.
