EDIE JONES - POEMS

Edie Jones is the award-winning author of Raising Kids With Love, Honor and Respect: Recipes for Success and Walkers Wisdom, His Journey from Puppy to Big Dog. She is retired and lives in Sisters Oregon with her Golden Doodle, Walker. You can find her books and poetry at wwww.recipesforraisingkids.com.

   What Are We Missing?

​What are we learning as we tread these strange paths?
What are we missing, we no longer have?
A sense of community so long embraced,
the glue that connects the whole human race.
Help us, dear God, when normal returns
to reach out with love. Accept that we yearn
to not be self centered, only focused on us.
To stay caring, forgiving — definitely not fluff!
Essential it is if we’re to survive.
Love for all others will keep us alive.
May we learn from days filled with gloom
that hatred separates. May we give it no room!
Creative we must be when navigating back.
Keep us implanted on this love, caring track.

​ The Goodness Among Us

​What do you need? I’m going your way.
Wonderful words to hear any day.

A neighbor asks, “What do you wish?
I’ve extra to share—May I bring you a dish?”
“How do you feel?” Words offered with care.
Questioning sincerely, how do I fare?
 
A plague is among us, making many ill.
It lies in the shadows, with intentions to kill.
The “Virus" we call it, a terrible bug,
keeping friends far a part, no chance for a hug.
Distance required whenever we chat.
Hygiene, disinfecting, our energy sapped.
 
But goodness abounds and will win in the end
as families connect, and friendships win.
We’re primed to help others, wired to care.
“Virus" – Be Gone. Goodwill is the snare
that will defeat and devour mutations new.
“Virus" – Be Gone. We Will Conquer You!

​The Virus

​Our world’s infected by a deadly strange plight.
Here uninvited it steals through the night
creating strange distance for foes, family and friends.
A new normal existence, an unwanted trend.
Stay home — don’t go out. Don’t venture around.
Who knows who’s infected, what decisions are sound?
Keep hands off of doorknobs, keep hands off your face.
Unseen and un-beckoned, germs alight on each place.


Hidden and deadly this virus grows,
from country to country its venom imposed.
How to stop it? How can we exist
without touching another, exchanging the bliss

of hugs and firm handshakes or knocks on our doors
when LESS is mandated. Decrees say — no more
to meetings or gatherings or dinner time out.
No "High Fives" or “Hurrahs" or excited group shouts.
 
Bizarre as this is we’re learning to bend.
Those who were strangers are becoming friends
and neighbors call neighbors, those living alone.
How special those voices we hear on the phone.
Church services and groups can meet and be held
if using Zoom, to this we’re compelled.
We’re concerned about others, How do they faire?
Asking, “How are you doing?” Showing we care.


Social Distancing, a new way to survive.
Patience is needed, to keep us alive.
Follow directions let go of our pride,
as we battle this enemy, interrupting its’ stride.
Resilience and flexible, two skills that we need,
to fight and curtail this super bug’s greed.
We know someday it’ll be over and gone
and pray love for each other grows, and stays strong.


With faith in our hearts, we face this new trial.
Reaching out to others through virtual miles
that brings us together, friends, family and foes.
To defeat this virus — our perseverance grows!
 We'll join hands together, the whole human race,
and confidently fight this challenge we face.
     Like a coping saw, with steel that can bend,
     we’ll flex with force and win in the end.