tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16599348737295389872024-03-06T00:27:28.462-05:00Gloria Fern musesA collection of thoughts poetic or other written in reflection of days I am blessed to live.gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-87355631203457482342020-08-24T13:30:00.002-04:002020-08-24T13:30:39.429-04:00Nepal maybe?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
As many of you are aware, I will sometime have the pleasure and delight of accompanying my daughter and her family to Nepal. I will be helping them settle in, I will be comforting myself with the knowledge of where they are, what their home will look like and so many more aspects of experiencing with them the new world they will find themselves. <br />
<br />
Then I will go home and be able to remember. <br />
<br />
My ticket was booked for early June. <br />
<br />
The pandemic, the global pandemic arrived in March. Long before the ticket was to be shown at the airport or the seat claimed, even before the bags were packed the refund for the ticket showed up in our bank account. I would not be going to Nepal in June. <br />
<br />
With so many of you,my world,my daughters world,each one of my daughter's worlds changed. The goodbye celebrations,the family celebrations,the trip to Europe were all cancelled. <br />
<br />
None of us have been in a plane, none of us have been able to hug our beloved family members who live in Indiana. We have not travelled to Edmonton this summer. The children have not been to school. We wear masks. Last week two daughters and their families came to our home in Collingwood. Oh what fun we had, oh how we missed those who could not join us because of a closed border. <br />
<br />
The planning has begun again for my trip to Nepal, maybe the Nepal border will open on August 17. Maybe I will fly with the family who is going to work and live and learn in Nepal for the next 5 years. They have left their home, they are living in a borrowed apartment. They have tried momos, the children love them and are eager to try the food, and learn the language. The three year old calls watermelon tarabuja. <br />
<br />
I have an airline ticket. Perhaps I will get another refund. Perhaps I will fly soon, stay tuned. <br />
<br />
Today is August 19. Today was the day for the flight. Today we are not flying to Nepal. Nepal's borders are closed. I hope and pray the young family I am going to/was going to/ might accompany can go soon. I hope they can get settled in their home soon. In the meantime they have begun a blog it is entitled Home in Motion (knafziger.wixsite.com/website) My son in law and daughter are both great writers. Check it out if you are interested. <br />
<br />
Soon, perhaps I will begin a new blog. It is set up. It is on Wordpress<br />
It is called <a href="https://gloriafernmuses.wordpress.com/">https://gloriafernmuses.wordpress.com/</a>. The blog is travelling gg (as many of you know one of my primary identities in these days is that of grandma gloria (gg)<br />
<br />
and yes if you are noticing it is no longer August 19. <br />
<br />
I am not good at setting up new blogsites, or adapting to old platforms that get changed, I am fortunate to have daughters and partners and friends who help me. Thanks to them all and because of them I am certain that my new blog will be up before I fly to Nepal,<br />
<br />
And so for now goodbye to Blogger and blogspot. My journey continues the improbable has become probable and the musings continue. </div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-44797763338101128702020-08-19T20:21:00.000-04:002020-08-19T20:22:36.185-04:00Unjournied<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http:"></a>
A ticket no longer
means a trip<br />
a plan no longer
means an event<br />
A calendar no longer
details a date<br />
a restaurant no longer
feels inviting<br />
A movie theatre no longer
offers a blockbuster<br />
a gallery no longer
calls me in<br />
A dining room no longer
set for guests<br />
the odometer no longer
speaks<br />
the language of distance<br />
<br />
I travel
valleys, flower scented with possibilities beauty
<br />
over hills and discover more hills,<br />
some
transformed into mountains
of impossible passage<br />
swim across clear blue waters and swamps,<br />
cycle against headwinds
into dreams<br />
<br />
gloria fern August 2020</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-38471052505136207412020-08-04T19:33:00.002-04:002020-08-04T19:51:33.118-04:00A Month <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday’s yesterday it was July,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a summer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
month is Canada,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were swimming in the bay <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
my restorative home in these months of warmth, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the sidewalks filling with people coming to <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
enjoy the waters lapping on shorelines, the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>breezes <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
blowing through trees, to escape the still city sounds, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
cars filled with longing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>seeking space by orange<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
pylons you are not welcome in this space, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
or this place as the earth called forth welcome, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the holiday weekend had arrived, will it someday<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
be recognized as emancipation weekend,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and when it <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
is, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how will its
meaning be understood? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
today the rains have stopped falling,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the birds are <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
singing as the thunder echos in the background, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the trees wave gently, the breeze refreshes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
we have had a partial family visit, we have opened<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and yet our gathering is incomplete as our beloveds live<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
south of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>covid border
line and perhaps soon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
some will be across the ocean while pool and lake waters <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
lap on shores familiar waving hearts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wonder when <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
will this end?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and I
wonder when will <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what end? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
beginning constant beginnings and endings and another month<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
has passed and I am packing my bag, maybe I will travel <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
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<div class="MsoNormal">
certain uncertainty<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
hallmark of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seasons, months passage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-51710367442132850612020-07-03T10:59:00.004-04:002020-07-03T10:59:51.408-04:00Delight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Blankets, umbrellas, six feet apart</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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dot the shore line, it is Canada day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
red shirts with white maple <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
leaves cover little ones and big ones<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
testing the water, playing catch on the hillside</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
where blankets, picnic tables were covered</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
with families gathered and </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
charcoal smells waft to me, escaping </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for a day from cities confinement</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
trips to the beach crowd my memory as <o:p></o:p></div>
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I swim, fighting the waves <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
in my now hometown, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the cows were milked, the car<o:p></o:p></div>
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packed and we all five kids<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
dressed in excitement piled <o:p></o:p></div>
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on top of each other hardly daring <o:p></o:p></div>
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to believe there would<o:p></o:p></div>
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be a parking space for us<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
those days there were no <o:p></o:p></div>
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restrictions on picnic table, <o:p></o:p></div>
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blanket spacing,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>little if any <o:p></o:p></div>
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awareness of the stolen land<o:p></o:p></div>
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we were celebrating on or the waters </div>
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we were swimming in, no awareness either </div>
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of the town peoples who wished</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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we would not come and eat in their <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
parks or play on beaches<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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children playing, adults laughing <o:p></o:p></div>
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feeding children and themselves, drinking <o:p></o:p></div>
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from coolers and thermos,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>pulling out more<o:p></o:p></div>
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and more food, packed, planned carefully <o:p></o:p></div>
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days earlier in the hopes that this outing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
this day would offer comfort and joy in <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the midst of so much uncertainty<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
distracting for a few hours from the <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
job loss, the illness, the work still waiting<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the more things change <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
someone once said<o:p></o:p></div>
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the more they stay the same. <o:p></o:p></div>
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gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-80063057641962265582020-06-26T23:40:00.002-04:002020-06-26T23:40:58.621-04:00It is Friday <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is Friday, what’s new in Collingwood today, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the email news feed is as consistent as I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
scanning for good news, any</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
photos of double rainbows in rain filled skies, of <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
sun rising or setting over the bay, numbers of <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
cases falling, deaths lessening<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
yet there are deaths, there is loss, someone</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
is grieving and I am swimming in the bay, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
celebrating first little arms wrapped around <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
my neck in months,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and my body has taken on new<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
hope, even when I speak to the daughter so far <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
away in the United States,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know we will be <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
together again before forever passes, and in the <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
meantime I will zoom, I will delight in face painting <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
across miles and I will hold tight confident <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
in the wellness of friends, of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>family,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and the <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
wonder of time and space, found for gardening<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and swimming and reading and hiking and being <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
wondering how I will hold it all as we open<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
to old possibilities made new,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the options , the <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
wonder of a cleaner, friendlier world, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
open in new ways to difference, to rejection of<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ism’s that support some at the cost of others, knowing <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a benefactor and giving up privilege is <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a challenge felt even in these days of knowing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
that my family is safe and well, and others are sick<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
dying some because they do not have<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a home with a yard, with a bay to swim in or a <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
trail to walk <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or bike
on, or the privilege that comes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
with retirement and safety from <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a front line job that puts me at risk <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
one of my children is doing front line work, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
so far she has not tested positive for the virus <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
of Covid, her family is not free from the</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
deadly virus of racism<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> the <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
unfairness requires action<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
sometimes,I am up to the task and other times <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
inadequacy surrounds me and despair wins out <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
over the belief in the possibility of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ever <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
experiencing the change that this world <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
requires<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but today I
know that the virus will <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
not last forever, there is a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>brave new generation <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
rising up and filling this grandmother<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
with faith and confidence<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they stand <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
knowing they make a difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<o:p> gloria fern June 2020</o:p></div>
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gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-7166179450296393732020-06-18T12:49:00.001-04:002020-06-18T12:49:35.218-04:00String <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
mosquitos swarm over the rock crevices and pine</div>
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and maple woods,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we
walk, I swat away </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
tears of despair as I run through possib<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Lora%20Carter%20Nafziger" datetime="2020-06-18T12:00">i</ins></span>lities
</div>
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again,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how do I
live this life of privileged</div>
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<br /></div>
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an<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Lora%20Carter%20Nafziger" datetime="2020-06-18T12:01">g</ins></span>uish,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stumble on the roots catching </div>
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myself in the midst of a fall, in the midst of another</div>
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<br /></div>
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bite into maybe,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>what
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of no hugs outside the household,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swing my </div>
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<br /></div>
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walking sticks in the air, dissipating<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the </div>
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latest attack,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>watching my footing as I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>move</div>
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<br /></div>
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forward to read another story online to a child afraid</div>
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to play<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with his
cousin,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he has learned distance </div>
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<br /></div>
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protects, he likes that we are </div>
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connected by an invisible string and that I </div>
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<br /></div>
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notice he is growing into a big kid,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my <span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Lora%20Carter%20Nafziger" datetime="2020-06-18T12:28">t</ins></span>eeth,
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bring laughter to his eyes across the screen,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I </div>
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<br /></div>
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repress another flood of tears,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I cannot </div>
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go to him, not now,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>giggling<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>together about my baby
nose </div>
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<br /></div>
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stretching the invisible sting of connection </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
from my heart to his <span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Lora%20Carter%20Nafziger" datetime="2020-06-18T12:29"><o:p></o:p></ins></span></div>
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and back again. </div>
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<br /></div>
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gloria fern june 2020</div>
</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-79347162085409203182020-06-14T17:14:00.003-04:002020-06-14T17:17:19.482-04:00 Together <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
with gratitude to Jeanne Thompson and her CD </div>
<div>
Peace be with you and the Peace Train</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We drove over hill and vale</div>
<div>
met in a park, sat on a hill, </div>
<div>
peed behind a bush, no toilet in sight, </div>
<div>
but we saw a daughter had tea </div>
<div>
and a bite</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
it arrived in the mail </div>
<div>
a pink bubble wrap envelope, </div>
<div>
Peace be with You the title of </div>
<div>
recording, I listen I hear </div>
<div>
love is at the heart of it</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
barely awake a lego train </div>
<div>
arrived, money saved, </div>
<div>
ordered on line, moms assistance</div>
<div>
allowed bakery's inclusion, </div>
<div>
video shared delight, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
the market trail led us </div>
<div>
around town, bicycle wheels crushing </div>
<div>
gravel, skidding through sand, </div>
<div>
bouncing on pavement, </div>
<div>
we travel</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The phone rings, I hear his message again,</div>
</div>
<div>
there are those who are</div>
<div>
ready to head out the western </div>
<div>
door, death is not bad</div>
<div>
notice it all</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
angels on shoulders</div>
<div>
change all around, I head to a march, </div>
<div>
I made my own signs, justice equals </div>
<div>
peace, abolish racism the other side,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
the song rings in my ears, </div>
<div>
thanks for lyrics that </div>
<div>
summarize so well</div>
<div>
a'int no time for couch potatoes </div>
<div>
or regretting the past ... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
time to move forward together at last.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
gloria fern June 2020</div>
</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-75275615341406563452020-06-08T13:32:00.003-04:002020-06-08T17:47:51.955-04:00June 8 2020 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Black Lives Matter they chant in front of city hall, <br />
as they march down the sidewalk, the street,<br />
we listen to stories of violence, abuse<br />
hope lives as we chant, as we march,<br />
as I read signs that say, I am not a danger,<br />
and Be the Change and Black Lives Matter<br />
<br />
I grieve as I see signs that invite us to say<br />
their names, that list the names, a few of the names,<br />
some of the names, as I over hear a frustrated young<br />
woman explain why Black Lives Matter is <br />
important at this time and why All lives matter<br />
cannot be used, she used a wedding analogy<br />
<br />
My grandson made a sign to take to a rally<br />
in another town, it said racism is bad, <br />
he does not yet understand systems that<br />
maintain racism, re enforce racism, support<br />
racism, he looks at me with pride and love<br />
not knowing about his blond haired blue eyed privilege<br />
<br />
I see a mother with a sign that says when one mother<br />
is called, all mothers are called, and my mother<br />
heart is reminded again that all those names, that<br />
incomplete list of names had a mother, has a mother<br />
who is grieving, who lives with fear in the midst<br />
of grieve because of the colour of her skin<br />
<br />
I am a mother, I am a grandmother<br />
I worry for the grandchildren,<br />
for the children<br />
I know, I love, who do not have<br />
white skin<br />
<br />
There was a peaceful protest today<br />
organized by youth<br />
I am filled with hope and<br />
I am filled despair.<br />
<br />
gloria fern June 2020<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-57065222596401284702020-06-03T17:35:00.003-04:002020-06-03T17:35:18.000-04:00Expectation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The waiting is over, <br />
must be over, <br />
no more acceptance<br />
of helplessness<br />
<br />
no more waiting for the pandemic<br />
to be over<br />
<br />
no more waiting<br />
on this pandemic of racism<br />
on this pandemic of celebrating obscene wealth<br />
on this pandemic of raping our earth<br />
on this pandemic of violence<br />
<br />
no more waiting on these pandemics<br />
that are killing the most vulnerable<br />
<br />
these pandemics that have stolen so many lives<br />
<br />
the waiting is over.<br />
<br />
gloria fern June 3, 2020<br />
<br /></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-11399868178904409222020-05-31T17:25:00.001-04:002020-05-31T17:25:59.034-04:00Dysania<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<div>
another </div>
<div>
black human </div>
<div>
dead</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
change</div>
<div>
required </div>
<div>
to burnish</div>
<div>
hope</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
another </div>
<div>
black human </div>
<div>
dead</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
change</div>
<div>
required </div>
<div>
to burnish</div>
<div>
hope</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
another </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
change?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
gloria fern May 2020</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-22794371796797731232020-05-25T14:43:00.001-04:002020-05-25T14:43:34.344-04:00Safety ? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
bees cover the current bush<br />
<br />
orange, yellow, blue<br />
red, prayer flags<br />
shredded<br />
<br />
birds dance<br />
<br />
dog poop<br />
everywhere, I think<br />
stubbed toes, sour dough that did<br />
not rise today, soup too salty,<br />
or sweet<br />
or not<br />
<br />
mud covered they do not<br />
run towards me but laugh<br />
threateningly<br />
six feet away from a<br />
hug <br />
<br />
there will be no<br />
mud on me<br />
<br />
I am<br />
safe<br />
<br />
and now there<br />
is rain<br />
my heart feels it<br />
<br />
all<br />
<br />
feels it all.<br />
<br />
gloria fern May 2020</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-7318366819285648102020-05-18T16:43:00.002-04:002020-05-18T16:43:15.073-04:00Teeter Totter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
hearts in windows, flowers on tables<br />
still blooming to those who mother,<br />
and grandmother with gratitude and love,<br />
wind on the backs, of the littles who know<br />
how to maintain distance connection<br />
without contradiction<br />
<br />
my sister in law graduated yesterday, <br />
photos sent in time and space,<br />
a grandson's graduation ceremony<br />
will be on Wednesday, we will be able<br />
to attend without eight hours of travel,<br />
oh bitter joy<br />
<br />
"hope is the expectation of future joy"<br />
the sign in the window on this day<br />
of May showers drizzling down on me,<br />
on our dog, on the freshly planted<br />
seedlings smiling from their<br />
squirrel turned soil.<br />
<br />
gloria fern May 18 2020<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-71966220679905379532020-05-15T14:02:00.000-04:002020-05-15T14:02:24.469-04:00No Zoom Today<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Giddy excitement filled me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
as I prepared for <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
art shared with elaborate story<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
smell the bottoms of the fritalaria <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
children kneel in the ground<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or seven or eight
feet apart <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
smelling skunks in
plants, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
examine seeds, and create mud puddles,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
games (newly acquired) shown and explained, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
watch the agility of climbers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the swing, the slide to slide to slide race<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
climbing hills, laughing, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
six or seven or eight feet apart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
your and <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your and <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your presence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>felt<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>held.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
gloria fern May 15, 2020<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-22183223538539808212020-05-11T15:52:00.002-04:002020-05-11T15:52:56.117-04:00The First Day <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
with thanks to Mary Oliver<br />
<br />
after your arrival<br />
<i>I jumped up and down</i><br />
<i>I clapped my hands,</i><br />
<i>I stared into space.</i><br />
<br />
I walked toward <i>the first warm sting of possibility</i><br />
<br />
in those days I was hungry for emptiness,<br />
go ahead tell me I was <i>both silly and serious</i><br />
as my stomach groaned for the<br />
improbable possibility of days<br />
without demand or calendars<br />
<br />
on the first day in spite of<br />
national, international news<br />
I heard only the music from balconies,<br />
the violinists, the soloists,<br />
the gratitude from empty streets<br />
<br />
my imagination did not stretch<br />
like the birds in flight overhead<br />
its range did not enter my heart now emptied<br />
of curly cuddles, it could not extend to<br />
the frozen soil of my longing<br />
<br />
after your arrival<br />
<i>I jumped up and down, </i><br />
<i>I clapped my hands, </i><br />
<i>I stared into space. </i><br />
<br />
gloria fern May 11, 2020<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-70306648702236900952020-05-08T16:56:00.000-04:002020-05-08T16:56:01.559-04:00Full Moon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bright red tulips<br />
trillium buds arrival,<br />
238 days left<br />
in this year,<br />
snowflakes<br />
the size of pancakes,<br />
fall amidst<br />
candles lit, reused wax<br />
reforming hope<br />
<br />
gloria fern May 8, 2020<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-79687109406387794952020-05-04T12:33:00.001-04:002020-05-04T12:33:20.971-04:00On Privilege<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am calling for help!
I would like to hear from you.
I am feeling lots of different feelings in these days of Covid, I am sure I am not different from the rest
of you in that!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am longing for my dear grandchildren, children and
friends,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zoom and other technological methods of
connection, and quite frankly I am tired of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am grateful for our beautiful backyard, for the floral
labyrinth that we have been creating since we moved into this beautiful home on
Georgian Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may never have been
quite as prepared for the planting season as this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seedlings<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>( with seeds nurtured and harvested by our
neighbourt) nestled on the porch, along with pansies ( from the local gardening
centre) which we were able to purchase and pick up, in a no contact sort of
way. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have been eating, sharing and enjoying sour dough
bread,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pancakes, waffles, pizza and
todays new adventure naan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have just
finished baking a coconut cream pie and placing four pie shells in our
abundantly filled freezer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have yeast,
sugar, flour, milk, eggs, fresh salad greens,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of those items come,
delivered to our door by the local farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I give thanks for the farmers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have a neighbourhood, that gathers from a distance to
show support for front line workers every night at 7:30 and then we can stand
on the street ( there is little traffic)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and visit or at least yell greeting to check in on the health of one
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live in a small town that has had nine people test
positive for Covid 19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two have been
from out of town,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one person from a town
near to us has died<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as a result of Covid
19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two people have been hospitalized
and returned home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had no
outbreaks in long term care,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>please God
let this remain so! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have great privilege,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>just by virtue of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my birth place, my skin colour, my ability
and my class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many in this
town, and this country who do not have my privilege.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some do not have backyards, some do not have cars, some do
not have access to fresh or even stale food,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>some do not have an address.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am struggling with the choices that are available to me in
my privilege.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not need to wear a
mask most of the time,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as it is not hard
for me to keep a six foot distance when I go out doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I would like to have a conversation with you all,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like you to have a conversation with
your friends, your neighbours, your family<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>about what our responsibility is to the world, macro and micro from our
places of privilege.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">gloriafern May 2020</span></div>
</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-66767515504113027142020-05-03T13:54:00.001-04:002020-05-03T13:54:09.285-04:00Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
chickadees dance in tree tops, </div>
<div>
branches bud filled, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
daffodils fill ditches, </div>
<div>
swans on nests, egrets </div>
<div>
wait wait for the moment,</div>
<div>
like the fisherpeople denied their </div>
<div>
deeply eroded rod holders,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
our garden waits for seedlings, </div>
<div>
warming on protected porch floor,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
killdeers call, haunting, </div>
<div>
childhood returns to me, </div>
<div>
the turned fields of spring, the </div>
<div>
calves found next to mamas, </div>
<div>
baby chicks gaining feathers, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
the feeder outside my kitchen </div>
<div>
window sways </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
gloria fern May 3 2020</div>
</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-20431682982409136232020-04-30T18:09:00.001-04:002020-04-30T18:13:07.012-04:00April Weeps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tears like raindrops fall <br />
<div>
forty days of making music </div>
<div>
giving gratitude for essential workers</div>
<div>
forty days I have been sheltering </div>
<div>
in place with people who love me</div>
<div>
forty days I have watched</div>
<div>
the news with hope, with despair</div>
<div>
forty days have passed</div>
<div>
since I held a grandchild in my arms</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
forty days of hope</div>
<div>
of believing we could </div>
<div>
make it end, this nightmare </div>
<div>
called pandemic, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
today the sky snivels, </div>
<div>
joins me in deep longing </div>
<div>
blooms, bright yellow reflect </div>
<div>
the droplets of sorrow</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Beltane's arrival seeks</div>
<div>
Mayday Mayday Mayday</div>
<div>
release.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
gloriafern </div>
<div>
April 30, 2020</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-46722932349667158432020-04-27T16:59:00.000-04:002020-04-27T21:09:10.178-04:00Seventeen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
a.n.o.t.h.e.r. day<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a not the r day<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an other day<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an ot her d.a.y<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
another day<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
I miss his hugs, his smile shines across the<br />
<div>
screen we sing a Tom Chapin's</div>
<div>
birthday song for him,</div>
<div>
where did that song come from </div>
<div>
asks our musican grandson,</div>
<div>
my hope grows. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
gloria fern April 25, 2020 </div>
</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-6655715805818076272020-04-22T16:42:00.001-04:002020-04-22T16:42:29.105-04:00We Rise Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
cold winds blow,<br />
snow, hail,<br />
<br />
drums, dance, <br />
bagpipes,<br />
fiddles<br />
<br />
rocks beauty painted,<br />
windows, heart and rainbow,<br />
<br />
waves lash on shores,<br />
red spruce bends and bows,<br />
jabbing heaviness<br />
<br />
sunshine amidst blue<br />
skied clouds<br />
<br />
daffodil heads hang,<br />
pansies weeping in pots,<br />
<br />
april showers<br />
marshal<br />
may flowers.<br />
<br />
<i>with thanks to the Rankin Family</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
gloria fern April 22 2020<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-18613237551445637662020-04-18T08:01:00.000-04:002020-04-18T08:01:21.464-04:00Oft Shrouded<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have I ever told you? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have I told you how much I like stories, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
how they fuel me, inform me,
and make me <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
feel whole, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the stories I read,
see and hear, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the costumes, the dancing, the song, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
characters, like me
and so different <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
as well, the truth, the real, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the absurd, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like movement and bodies <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
performance and risk, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
they lead me, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
from fear and <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
uncertainty too, away
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
from obsession and grief, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
they take me right
there<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
then back here <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have I ever told you how much I like <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the curious sharing, the daring, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and caring, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the risk?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> I give thanks for the hope offered <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>and shared by the arts
community in these <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>days of covid and
beyond!! <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gloria Fern April 16, 2020<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-69869747627538152342020-04-14T11:44:00.003-04:002020-04-14T14:43:12.656-04:00Normal <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I celebrate the normal of loving friends,<br />
smiling at strangers, greeting those we <br />
meet on our path, making space for all,<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal of zoom, skype, facetime,<br />
with family and friends, when their faces have<br />
been too long absent, physically,<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal of gratitude shared with<br />
grocery store clerks, garbage collectors, first responders,<br />
health care providers, especially PSW's,<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal of neighbours gathering,<br />
sharing smiles, food, music, waving from<br />
the other end of the street, just to say hi,<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal of noticing our fossil fuel<br />
usage, of being conscious of mother earth and all her<br />
creatures and celebrating clean air,<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal of blowing bubbles, sidewalk<br />
chalked message of love, laughter, hope,<br />
hearts and rainbows brightening lives,<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal of recognized privilege,<br />
of caring for the least among us,<br />
connection across difference,<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal of notes sent by mail,<br />
by email, of remembering, of time taken to<br />
let another know we care,<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal of seeing, smelling feeling,<br />
flowers, sun and rain, forests, rivers, streams<br />
and ocean and mountain sunrises,<br />
<br />
<br />
I celebrate the normal we are creating.<br />
<br />
gloria fern April 14, 2020</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-74394680632782221482020-04-12T12:41:00.001-04:002020-04-12T12:41:13.998-04:00An Easter Morn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It came peaking out of the clouds,<br />
just a sliver of the sun, it was 6:41<br />
bicycle wheels turned to get us there<br />
on time, after debate about cold, about rain<br />
past the eyes seeking, musky scent,<br />
speed forward, needing perhaps <br />
to witness the sun rise,<br />
to ensure it would happen,<br />
on this most peculiar of Sunday mornings<br />
and it rose, there was shade,<br />
there were clouds,<br />
but we saw it, as I have seen it<br />
many Easter's before, we alone<br />
were at the terminals, no trumpet<br />
sound, no carols sung, and yet there<br />
was a rising, a resurrection,<br />
like the cinnamon buns, like the<br />
hot cross buns, like the croissants,<br />
we walked among the sprouting<br />
plants the buds not yet <br />
fully present to all that is,<br />
like me, not fully present to feeling<br />
it all, not wanting to notice the<br />
sorrow, the emptiness<br />
only here in this moment<br />
life<br />
<br />
gloria fern April 12, 2020<br />
<br /></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-40926679327099457872020-04-10T12:43:00.001-04:002020-04-10T16:10:04.986-04:00Good Friday <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have always wondered why it was called Good<br />
this Friday that falls somewhere around Eostre<br />
sometime close to Passover, this year almost<br />
overlapping with Vaisakhi and Buddha day,<br />
always in Christian tradition two days before Easter.<br />
<br />
Easter that celebration of new life, of growth,<br />
of new life, Easter that day that joins<br />
with the holidays of other traditions, celebrating<br />
enlightenment, and freedom from slavery, and the<br />
new harvest. Those sacred holy days that call us to hope.<br />
<br />
I have always wondered why the day two days<br />
before, the one that in my tradition is the day<br />
that Jesus is flogged is crucified, when for all the world he<br />
dies, the curtain is torn, and sorrow is at it height<br />
why is it called GOOD? <br />
<br />
I have read, I have studied the theology, a holy day,<br />
a good day, and yet I have questioned, <br />
today the question rests<br />
I have felt the resurrection in my life, over<br />
and over again, today tulips are in bud.<br />
<br />
Today is Good Friday, <br />
for me a day of grief, of loss, of confronting of being confronted<br />
a father on a ventilator, he is a doctor, has Covid,<br />
an aunt in intensive care, no visitors allowed<br />
an exchange student breathing constricted, waiting<br />
<br />
There is not resurrection, no enlightenment, no new life,<br />
no freedom from our enslavement called Covid in sight, <br />
and yet I sit knowing this is not good, and yet the bulbs<br />
are budding, the generosity is visible, the compassion<br />
is growing<br />
<br />
today is a holy day.<br />
<br />
gloria fern April 10 2020<br />
<br /></div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1659934873729538987.post-28644790983226150772020-04-06T17:45:00.001-04:002020-04-06T17:45:23.712-04:00 Black Currants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sour dough bread slathered black current jam<br />
from last summers loaded bushes<br />
harvested, washed, made into jam when the idea<br />
that there would not be flour in the grocery<br />
store every time we went was an absurdity.<br />
<br />
a bicycle ride with a friend, six feet apart<br />
and we so fortunate to<br />
have trails almost empty, and spring<br />
peepers to welcome us in the marshy<br />
corner gravel trail crunchy stop<br />
as bullfrogs call notice<br />
<br />
pussy willows, forsythia budding<br />
forth cardinals chickadees<br />
dance before me, spirit <br />
companions on my journey<br />
life on this planet, present always<br />
<br />
dinner offers stew rich with wonder of<br />
tomatoes found in the depth of our deep<br />
freeze, cleaned in these days, awaiting<br />
spring saps offering, summer harvest,<br />
soon there will be more currants<br />
hopes gift today.<br />
<br />
gloriafern April 6, 2020</div>
gloria fernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337701128769861267noreply@blogger.com0