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How will I remember quarantine?
By the shopping trips I didn’t take.
The concerts not attended.
The restaurants avoided.
Or what I did instead?
Call a cousin not seen in years. Bake
banana bread. Paint the bedroom pink.
Garden. Hike. Read. Sleep past 8 a.m.
Snuggle with an old man statistically
at risk to be gone in the next decade
whether he catches the virus or not.
Wonder if I inhaled each breath
with the honor it deserved.
© by Jacqueline Jules.
Used here with the author’s permission.
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Jacqueline Jules is a former librarian who found herself intrigued by almost every book she put on the shelf. As a reader and as a writer, she doesn’t restrict herself to one genre. She is the author of 50 books for young readers on a wide variety of topics, including two poetry books for young readers, Tag Your Dreams: Poems of Play and Persistence (Albert Whitman, 2020), and Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember (Bushel & Peck, 2023). Jacqueline is also the author of four poetry books for adults, including a collection of biblically inspired poems, Manna in the Morning (Kelsay Books, 2021). After 26 years in Virginia, she moved to Long Island to be closer to her grandchildren. Learn more about her at www.jacquelinejules.com.
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charsbigsis :
What a wonderful view of this pandemic!!
Thank you!
Posted 03/11/2021 12:28 PM
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ATCGBasePairs :
What a poignant reminder that time is short and we should make the best of whatever situation we should find ourselves in.
Posted 10/29/2020 01:32 AM
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MatthewMiller:
The "snuggle" stanza hits so hard. I identify with the sensation of fleeting time, no matter what! Great job!
Posted 10/23/2020 09:38 AM
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wayne.goodling@yahoo.com:
Thank you.
Posted 10/22/2020 10:34 AM
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Lori Levy:
Encouraging perspective.
Posted 10/19/2020 07:26 PM
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Larry Schug:
It doesn't get any better than a poem with banana bread in the words. The final stanza is a superb thought.
Posted 10/19/2020 06:01 PM
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Anastasia:
"Wonder if I inhaled each breath
with the honor it deserved."
That is an amazing and centering thought. Thank you.
Posted 10/19/2020 03:16 PM
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Gilbert Allen:
I enjoyed reading this timely poem.
Posted 10/19/2020 01:04 PM
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AlmaMPesiri:
a poignant reminder of what we've missed, but what's available to make beautiful memories
Posted 10/19/2020 12:52 PM
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michael escoubas:
Totally well said, Jacqueline! How this perspective is needed during these times. Thank you.
Posted 10/19/2020 11:07 AM
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TheSilverOne:
Yes, we all doing other things. This poem makes me realize what survivors we are during these unbelievable times...and it's not just time wasted. Thank you.
Posted 10/19/2020 10:07 AM
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Paulie Walnuts:
Such a quaint poem, Jacqueline. Amid the mayhem of the pandemic, thank you for highlighting the mundane-turned-spiritual activities that comfort us a little bit each day. Today the sky shines blue!
Posted 10/19/2020 09:31 AM
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Jacqueline Jules:
Thank you so much for these kind comments. And thank you to Jayne for choosing this poem.
Posted 10/19/2020 09:10 AM
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KevinArnold:
What a delightful poem!
Posted 10/19/2020 08:25 AM
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MatthewMiller:
This brought tears to my eyes, especially the stanza about snuggling. Life is precious!
Posted 10/19/2020 08:14 AM
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mail@schoolbusmart.com:
And with that last line I took the deep breath with the honor it deserved. Thank you. Nice piece. Randy
Posted 10/19/2020 07:51 AM
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