words of the wise

one of the hateful parts

of lingering COVID

is the feeling of incompetence

of not thinking quickly or clearly

and the depression that spreads

into all that we had been able to do

and thus, the loss of joy

in the little things that delighted us

so, it will take determination to continue

in motion, a step at a time

a willingness to walk when we’d rather

stay curled up in our misery

a willingness to lie down to sleep

when we know only babies take naps

the grit to listen to and honor the needs

of our bodies as we put everything

into allowing ourselves to heal

not yet

not yet

frightened? yes, a little

all my life i’ve been independent

but now the vertigo threatens; the pandemic limits

the grass grows to my waist; cobwebs drape from high ceilings

over six months i’ve grown old

but not old enough to give in