don’t give up
when you freeze
in that all-too common
grip of fear
please remember
no moment
is ever permanent
you will heal
you will survive
*
life on pause
like so many of us
who are forcefully homebound
I have begun to listen
to the birds
who continually voice
their thoughts in song
to the leaves
who sweetly dance
with an ever-present wind
perhaps I would have missed
these beautiful things
had I not slowed down
*
together
I think it’s safe
to assume
that we are all
filled with anxiety
so let’s take
a restful moment
to breathe slowly
just you and me
inhale
exhale
*Published in Cantos: A Literary and Arts Journal, 2020