such a torrid two years
held captive by events
beyond my control”
health and economic strife
job losses, housing struggles
displaced refugees, weather
war and far too much more
has apathy taken hold
overwhelmed fearful
tend to react rather
than calmly respond
small things trigger
an emotive eruption
healthier to step back
reassess where I am
to where I’d prefer to be
how to assimilate
all this pollution
is it my responsibility
how can I assist most
stay afloat learn to coast
what works for me
with what I see
how can I contribute
connect and respect
by working on myself
and my attitude
calmness once achieved
will ripple out
to embrace others
nurture and empower
giving comfort
ease grief
erase doubts and fears
change will enable, set free
inspired by Stan Grants article on his favourite novel
aroused 
I think we have all felt this to some degree during the pandemic. You cut to the essential questions! “how can I assist most” and “how can I contribute” are ones I ask myself daily… I’m not sure there is any one right answer. I just keep trying different things to see what works. (hugs)
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there never is a definite right or wrong answer … we must all find our own way, thanks Val!
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Absolutely, Kate! Calm will ripple out to those around you! Xoxo
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A calm and measured message Kate. Wonderfully penned.
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Beautiful message, Kate. Much love to you, MW 🙏
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Beautiful poem Kate, a lovely evocative piece 🙂
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Such an important powerful poem…especially as we end this year and begin the new year. You’ve expressed feelings and thoughts I’ve felt/had. And, yes, we must live in ways that create positive ripples and waves, so that joy, peace, courage, and kindness will spread to many others.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…gorgeous, peaceful photo!
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That taking a step back is essential, I agree: how else will we be able to see the wood from the trees?
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I read Stan Grant’s article too, Kate. Have you read the book? It sounds interesting.
I enjoyed your response to his article. We do need to take charge of ourselves and our responses, especially when so much is out of our control. Here’s to more control in the new year!
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Change will enable for sure and set us free. We all have to work towards a wonderful world for all of us to live. Lovely poem so apt, Kate and I loved the picture too.
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A lovely shot. The colours of nature are amazing. Your words are profound as always. Yes, two years are gone. We all suffered but some have lost all they had. One can contribute in many ways but as Dalai Lama said “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them”.
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Kate, empowering ourselves to make a better world…what a fitting theme for 2022! 🙂
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A beautiful, reflective, deep poem about the problems of the modern world: droughts, floods, pandemics. How the setting sun would do no good again, except for the murderous heat. And for me, in turn, snow and frost -6 degrees. The cold in the house, the animals in the field also suffer.
greetings
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Such a wonderful message here at Christmastime and into the New Year. We must help one another to get through it…beautiful words of hope and comfort.
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A lovely reflective poem Kate…and yes, the past two years have been a real struggle for all of us. We all felt the effects of the pandemic….but at the same time i am grateful for what happened (still happening) for it has made us slow down and reasses ourselves and our priorities..
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Calm…a word and state I try to embrace, especially these last two unfathomable years, words like these are wonderful reminders, Kate, and are perfect to ponder on for the coming new year.
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really appreciate your kind words, thanks Kim!
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My pleasure! As my friend quoted to me, 2022=365 days of opportunity, I hope each day brings you joy as well – Happy New Year, Kate!
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yes every day we wake is a blessed opportunity indeed 🙂
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Great message here.
Not a heck of a lot changed for us during all this stuff so I haven’t had to struggle in that area like most.
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yes, self-employment must have some advantages 🙂
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really a wonderful message!💖
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much thanks Cindy!
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Pleasure!😇
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