Happy to report, a voice inside my head has been quieted. It wanted me to achieve an unreasonable amount of success during the lockdown. It told me how easy it was to work from home, finish my short stories, loose weight, eat better, get more exercise, clean every inch of my apartment and grow spiritually during this intense time in world history. It sounded like, after the Stay Home, Stay Healthy mandate was over, I’d be as Christ leaving the tomb victorious over death and writer’s block! Well, voice in my head, I hate to break it to you, but I am not Christ, I am human, although I’m a pretty good human, I DO HAVE LIMITS, for cryin’ in the night! To achieve Christ-likeness during these 2-4 months of a pandemic would be a small miracle for sure. So, I say “Good day, sir. Leave me to my textured life of layered excuses. harumph!”
On a different note, here is the first draft of a poem I wrote about my house plant:
Common House Plant
Terra cotta prisoners
I have questions for you.
Gloved hands bind you
to bagged soil, force-feed
you vitamins and faucet water.
When roots touch potted boundaries
tell me, do you scream?
1) an observed joy- this morning I enjoyed St. James Presbyterian’s Easter service live-streamed on Zoom, (the music was especially uplifting) and my “regular Sunday morning check-in” call with a good friend. It was really nice.
2) a real concern- The high cost of food in my area is still a concern. I decided to shop for fresh veg and fruit this Wednesday.
3) a personal challenge- reread “Why Poetry” by Matthew Zapruder
4) one personal success (no matter how small)- As of today, all my regular bills are paid.
5) a random thought (no matter how silly)- I haven’t had a haircut since December 2019. Washington State, the next time you shut us down, could we get maybe a months warning?
Here is my current mood illustrated by a meme.
I wish you, wherever you are, good health, peace in your hearts and courage for the challenges you face.
-Shannon
shannon p. laws 