Time past

the wind blows hot

the wind blows cold

first you’re young

now you’re old

you had a dream

to fulfill

now all you have

is a pile of bills

the sun comes up

the sun goes down

this old world

keeps spinning around

what happened

you don’t even know

you were wild and free

with places to go

but you entered the cage

of responsibility

tangled with routine

for respectability

this is not where

you wanted to be

when you were young

so young and free

(c)2020 by Catherine Elder

I never knew

I never knew

a father could look at a daughter with love

that he could stand behind her

gently guide her

I never knew

that a father would want to know

how a daughter is doing

show interest in her life 

I never knew

what a father was

except insults and disdain

neglect and shame

I never knew

a father could show pride

in what a daughter did

in who a daughter was

I never knew

a father would hug

and hold tight in a storm

without judgement

I never knew

a family that didn’t judge

that thought of me first

and made sure I was safe

I never knew

a family that was interested

in who I am

and what I do

I never knew

a family’s love

of hugs and good wishes

instead of chores and dishes

I never knew

a home sanctuary

no hate or bitterness

just acceptance

I never knew

(c) 2020 by Catherine Elder

Pandemic alone

Keep your distance

I stand alone

don’t breathe on me

or I’ll go home

level the curve

by curbing the flow

social distance

there’s no where to go

six feet apart

stand in line

getting supplies

to eat all the time

nothing defines the week

its one continuous day

eating and sleeping

nothing new to say

chatting and messaging

to connect

rambling on in

introspect

ghoulishly citing death tolls

know how lucky you are

watching it climb

hoping it doesn’t get far

self isolate

to limit the spread

hope for the living

pray for the dead

(c) 2020 by Catherine Elder