As The Pandemic Wanes

The days,
one after another,
are beginning to look different,
to feel lighter.
There is an air
of celebration and relief
as we return
to what was once
normal.

Yet, I am reluctant
to say good-bye
to this past year
just yet.

Because even though
it was often
heart-wrenchingly
difficult,
sad,
and frustrating,
there was a bond
borne of these hard times.

With so much
stripped away,
we could see
more clearly
what really mattered.

We leaned in
to help each other through,
cast our energy
to protecting
the ones we love.

Its not that I want
to go back.

It’s just-
before I move forward,
I’d like to meditate
for a moment
on both the bitter
and the sweet.
I want to set to memory
this particular together
that I will always
hold dear.

By Maria Brady-Smith