Poetry friends, I'm feeling frightened, exhausted, and defeated by the pandemic. I live in central Illinois, where we've set new case records everyday for the last three days at 12,000 plus cases per day. Our specific metropolitan has the 11th highest case count in the nation. My daughter is a Covid ICU nurse who has to deal with the horrific reality of this situation every single day. Our governor has begged us to wear masks, social distance, and not gather in large groups. He's trying like hell to keep our economy open. So many people ignore his pleas. These people claim to be liberty loving Americans- liberty loving Americans who refuse to do the most patriotic thing they could do- follow the few simple steps that have proven to lower case counts and save lives. Our healthcare system is overwhelmed, and because of that, we've been warned that if things do not begin to turn around in the next few days, we will be under a state mandated shutdown again. I hate this for our local businesses (especially during this time of the year), but I also absolutely see the necessity to do it. It just saddens me to no end that so many people won't do what they can to protect their fellow Americans.
Covid cases rise
Hospital beds dwindle
Winter is coming
And now for some hope....
Scientists working
Clinical trial success
Vaccine on the way
This week's Poetry Friday round up is hosted by Robyn at Life On The Deckle Edge Blog. Be sure to click over to savor all of this week's poetry goodness.
Oh Kimberly,I share your outrage...and most days I have to work on the hope bit. I'm so very disappointed in the behavior of my fellow human beings. I don't see that we are any better than days of old despite the fact that we know more and have history to draw on. I will keep you and especially your daughter in my thoughts. I can't imagine being an ICU Nurse hearing all the compliments about being a hero and yet facing the behavior that causes all of this constantly. It's just crazy and wrong. Thank you for ending with hope. We all need that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. As someone noted below, let's all hope and pray for a better future. I want to live in a world where we strive to be kind and to protect one another.
DeleteGoodness, Kimberly, I can relate to your anguish. Your haiku convey so much in so few words. Here in Switzerland we hit 10,000 cases a day two weeks ago. They've deployed the military to help in hospitals in various regions of the country. And, this is the kicker, they didn't mandate mask wearing until late October. Ugh. As an expat who isn't fluent in the language or knowledgeable of the culture I feel exceedingly vulnerable. I am sending my best to you and your daughter. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bridget, and I'm praying for your health and safety in Switzerland, as well.
Delete"Vaccine on the way" gives me hope, Kimberly. Please thank you daughter for her service.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYes, I am thankful for the vaccine coming. I hear you on the foolishness of some people. We have the same here on Long Island and we are waiting to hear if the NYC Schools will be closed next week at the percentages of cases rise. Life is mixed up for sure but your writing is still providing us with updates. Please thank your daughter for being a front line worker. It must be such a difficult job. Let's hope for a better future.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol, and yes, hoping and praying for a better future.
DeleteI am in constant turmoil over this, too, Kimberly. It is even closer to you because of your daughter's work for which I am so grateful. I do not understand either, wishing it was not true that people are upset about the simple & easy wearing of a mask in order to keep others & themselves safe. Hugs to you for writing about it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I had so much trouble writing in the early months of the pandemic, but now it's a sort of therapy for me.
DeleteKimberly you offer contrasting scenes in your haiku poetry and your words emanate from a place of knowing and bitterly acquired knowledge. To finish with optimism is important. Like you I have used haiku and other short forms of poetry to help me understand this pandemic and the differing attitudes to dealing with its challenges. I continue to hope the months ahead will bring the US a far more co-ordinated approach to dealing with this invisible enemy. The fracturing of civil society has clearly affected the concerted efforts of health experts and front line health providers. Fingers crossed...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alan. I, too, pray that our country can heal, come together to deal with this virus, and work to protect one another.
DeleteI can feel your stress across the miles. I have a niece who works in the ER in a hospital in central Illinois. All of my extended family live there. I worry about her and them. And the mask issue drives me crazy. Masks shouldn't even be an issue. I hope your sister and you and all your family stays safe and healthy throughout this winter. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jilanne. I'm keeping your niece and all healthcare workers in my prayers.
DeleteI'm so sorry that you're in such a hot spot. It's increasing here, but not as bad yet in upstate NY. Your daughter is a true hero. I know how hard that work is. Your first haiku reflects the dread, and the last some hope. Stay safe and well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. You stay say and well, too.
DeleteLet you daughter and her coworkers know that we deeply appreciate their work, their passion, their compassion. And you stay well! Thank you for your "both sides of the coin" haikus!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary Lee. I will pass along your message.
DeleteI hear you on all the worry, fear, and frustration, Kimberly. I think most of us cannot comprehend why so many refuse to follow the simple mitigation suggestions the health experts have been begging everyone to heed. Wearing a mask isn't a big deal. The stubbornness of "my body/my choice" people is beyond selfish and hypocritical.
ReplyDeleteSending hugs and strength to you and your daughter. We are so grateful for all the frontline healthcare workers. True heroics!
Oh Kimberly, I can't begin to imagine the worry you must face on a day to day basis, for your community, yes, but especially for your daughter. Things are not going well here in Florida either, but nothing like where you are. :( Praying sense and new safety measures will prevail.
ReplyDeleteOf course I feel the same way, outraged and yet hopeful that SOMEONE might persuade/require EVERYONE to act wisely in the short term for solutions in the long term. But so many of us seem to have become people who feel like this:
ReplyDeleteif I go, I go
this must be what God has planned
I'll party on out
I hope your daughter and her colleagues find a way to sustain themselves.
Thank you for this heartfelt post, Kimberly - with its poignant darks and lights. Wishing you a good and safe week.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your daughter, Kimberly. ❤️ 2020 has left me very disappointed in the "freedom for me, who cares about you" crowd. I hope we can elevate our culture in the future so there's less of that.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Kimberly! It's maddening. Praying for the people working on the vaccine.
ReplyDelete