Picking Through

I laid on the grass at the park,

I fell asleep and dreamt.

The world was still here

unchanged, even peaceful 

the colours of nature so vivid

the sky of a blue summer hue

the sun shining and warm high above

people mingling

life was living

Then, still in my dream
a dark cloud appear far away
but quickly approaching
we stood still for one second
watching attentively, of what was coming
we had heard rumor of the cloud
but never thought we would ever see it
We stayed where we had been standing
the cloud taking over
passing over our heads like a gigantic space ship,
clouds clashing in thunder
swiftly moving across the sky
there was, no rain

Then, we looked at the horizon
the blue sky was turning
white cotton clouds sweeping earth
pushing the black cloud away
the sun rays flashing down to earth
bringing life

I woke-up with my hand over my face
unsure if I had been dreaming
I laid there paralyzed
afraid to open my eyes. 
I could hear children's laughter,
people talking, playing games perhaps
still unsure and afraid, but with courage
I picked through my fingers
yes, the horrible pandemic that hit us all,
some, worse than others was gone
it all have been a dream
I felt the sun on my legs
and the blue sky appeared
brushed by soft clouds
and nature vibrant
life is living

Today, I Remember

Today, I remember
I remember the fallen
the ones that survived
the ones that never came home

When the twelve salute guns are fired
I remember,
that lives were given for our freedom
that men and women volunteered
to end the evil that had been created
and the chaos that seemed, 
never ending

Today, I remember
I remember the fallen
the ones that survived
the ones that never came home

Today, I remember
that 75 years ago, 
the struggle to end the struggle
ended
thousands of lives were lost
but the struggle was won, nevertheless

Today, I remember
I remember the fallen
The ones that survive
the ones that never came home

When the fighter jets fly high above in the sky
I remember,
and I bowed my head
and with tears streaming down my cheeks
I say thank you
for all the sacrifices that were made
to give me freedom

Today, I remember
I remember the fallen
the ones that survived
the ones that never came home

I remember, that lives were lost
in that moment of silence
where only the Post plays
the sound of sorrow
and sadness

Today, I remember
I remember the fallen
the ones that survived
the ones that never came home

Today, I remember
not only those that fought for freedom, but
all those citizens that also lost their lives
imprisoned in camps and send on the train
to their final death destination
and we will never know
the feared and uncertainty that went
through their minds

Today, I remember
I remember the fallen
the ones that survived
the ones that never came home
let's we never forget

Sour Candy Strip

I was not quite sure at the beginning,

I was in the candy store

jars, boxes and containers filled with colour

there was sugar in the air

that's for sure

I walked aisle by aisle looking,

impatiently looking for my sweet

delicious, scrumptious, beautiful

colourful, superb and magical

sour strip candy

I saw it and took a strip

put in my hand and smelled it

sugar oozing from each vain of colour

hmmm mouth watering goodness

I could not contained myself,

I put it in my mouth

it felt like I had been shot up to the sky

I felt magically floating in the air,

there was mellon, lemon and strawberries in this line

I took another

another ecstatic moment

filled with sourness, my salivary glands

working extra hard

filling my mouth with delicious sugar

this time  there was lime, mango and peach

this was IT

I remember seeing fireworks

bursting above my head

even when my eyes were closed

it was the most

wonderful experience of my life

I was not quite sure at the beginning,

I was in the candy store

jars, boxes and containers filled with colour

there was sugar in the air

that's for sure

and just like that,

I fell in love

with this magical and magnificent

sour candy strip

IT Came

It was closer to Spring
we heard about it
but never thought it would come
to pay us a visit, but
IT did

We were asked to stay home
so we did
Some went back to the front-lines
courageously to risk their lives to save others
and uncertain the outcomes

Messages of encouragement were sent,
to keep our spirits up
because we were sad
we felt lonely, we felt torn apart
we were distant, truly distant

It was closer to Spring
we heard about IT
but never thought it would come
to pay us a visit, but
IT did

Spring day came, the sun rose high in the sky
we went running, walking or grocery shopping
but only when needed
still confined to our homes
we felt blessed to still have each other,
to lean on

There in the distance I felt resilience
in those very uncertain times
when we had no answers
of when, how long, why
IT had come

We were asked to stay home
so we did
Some went back to the front-lines
courageously to risk their lives to save others
and uncertain of the outcomes

In the midst of the uncertainty
we feel blessed for all that we have
and hopeful that this too shall pass
and we feel grateful for all that we have,
however small it is

Our center of gravity was shifted
from sure to uncertainty
but courageously we wait for the cure
we are extremely blessed for all that we have,
and, amidst uncertainty we are hopeful
for a better future and remain grateful 
and positive that this too shall pass

IT was COVID-19

Thank you!