Tiger's Tail — Writing our way through
This is a collection of writing from a group of us who began meeting at the beginning of COVID-19. We had one class before the shelter in place took effect and the rest have been online. We plan, once we are able to meet in person together again (may it be soon), to create a real book in physical form. We hope you find solace and strength, relief and humor in these words.
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Together --Clare Olivares
Together nestled under the peace of a big green tree my mind like a cloud wonders about the mystery of this time and place Waiting patiently trusting in the unbearable, the unknowable like falling out of a window forever forever falling Trusting that the earth will catch me with its sturdy hold This time this place forever falling into the fragility of the unknown into the brokenness of the world. |
Pay Attention --Clare Olivares
One can live with beauty and horror at the same time You can wake to the sound of birds and to the radio's blare recounting death The rain softly falling on the roof can mimic the tears of the forgotten Yes we can stand with a foot in each world Beauty, Sorrow I once saw a small dead bird cradled near its dead mother No marks, no blood just stillness and fragility So sorrowful my heart cracked a bit but my heart also swelled at the beautiful iridescent blue wings and tiny yellow beaks A heart broken and healed at the same time one ventricle saying to the other Pay attention, pay attention. |
Today, March 2020 --Clare Olivares
The dolphins have returned to the Venice canals bringing joy to a place of despair Today I saw a beautiful peacock strutting down my street with daring and disinterest My partner bought me a loaf of bread a sacred offering not jewel or precious gold a simple loaf Gave my neighbor my last packet of yeast for cinnamon rolls she said sharing the sweetness at a distance we will barter and trade as we are able and look at the world with kinder eyes Perhaps the world needs to rest awhile give us time to breathe compassion into our hearts and souls. |
Adjustments —Lynda Efros
Perhaps that was why I began to feel so drawn to birdsong, the scamper of squirrels, and the furry felines curled in their own personal circles of sun. I guess the center of me knew what was coming. That this would be the world’s assignment for awhile. To find increased beauty at home. Create a distance And further connection with others at the same time. To recognize smiling eyes peeking over homemade masks on neighborhood walks turned into good natured avoidance. Pray for those that can’t breathe this newly unleashed murderer out of their airways. And applaud those that fight for life for another When it’s only sheer will that keeps them standing. We fall asleep with the shadowed Images of their masked faces and those they care for clinging to life through tubes of solutions and ventilated air. We wish them well. It isn’t enough. It can’t be enough. |