the news is a cacophony of stress … more COVID variants, more positive tests, more deaths, talk of ICU triage guidelines, and the vaccine rollout slowing to a trickle. What can I say? What can I do?
deep snow
on the deck and
it’s still snowing
But who wants to read gloomy observations? Most of us are wanting to be soothed, to forget.
darning
blue mittens
the colour of spring
©️2021 Ontheland
Another day at home for the two of us and the dogs. The wind knocks over a shovel on the porch and 55 pound Diesel barrels across the floor barking urgently. The other two dogs chime in, their madness continuing as snow blows its quiet storm.
.
.
playing scrabble
from opposite ends of the room
on smart phones
.
.
©️2021 Ontheland
As another grey day winds down, I hide in a new writing corner. This is my first, and hopefully, last pandemic winter. Last year, the infamous 2020, covid 19 may have been lurking in January, but no whistle had been blown. It wasn’t until mid-March on the cusp of spring that the World Health Organization declared a world pandemic.
Cold, damp, and dry, winter is our flu season, the time people typically get colds and flu so it is no surprise that COVID numbers are skyrocketing. I have been staying home but as of today it’s mandatory in Ontario…the pressure on society and the suffering of many is palpable, my salvation being gratitude for food, shelter, a home and so far, good health.
COVID winter
in the deep freeze dreaming
a Pfizer jab
.
.
©️2021 Ontheland
last moon
inching toward fullness
this year’s legacy
.
.
©️2020 Ontheland
new moon
in dark December
a frozen vaccine
.
.
©️2020 Ontheland
year end
airy and multi-layered
my new cover
.
.
©️2020 Ontheland
With coffers emptied and promises broken we find ourselves unprepared for another virus surge. We may not be able to afford a sharp lockdown but what will it cost us to stay open?
November blues
cracked earth
from summer drought
.
.
©️2020 Ontheland
late autumn
I plan my next trip
for groceries
.
.
And so life continues . . . I read this morning that Canada’s top public health doctor is recommending we wear three-layer non-medical masks (2-layer mask, with a filter in the pocket).
©️2020 Ontheland
The library email announces they have reopened. I may pick up the item that was on hand just before the lockdown. An excursion! I roll into the deserted community centre parking lot and spot the curbside sign with the library phone number. I obediently dial and speak to a librarian who will bring my item out to the cart near the door—about 10 metres away from where I am parked. When she comes outside we exchange waves and smiles. She disappears into the building. This is my cue to get out of my car and walk to the cart. There waiting for me is a brown paper bag with my name on it. I notice a container of Lysol wipes and a hand sanitizer pump next to it…part of a disinfection decor? “Perhaps I should get out more often” I muse as I walk back to my car.
public places
going out for a taste of
surreal
.
.
©️2020 Ontheland
life before the virus … will I let go of my novelty pen with the pullout scroll of last season’s shows at the Grand?
counting
the last days of
the month of May
.
.
©️2020 Ontheland
