“The Great Pause”
our world holds its breath
as Mother Nature exhales
sighs of relief recede
clouds of carbon dioxide
from towering cityscapes
over brilliant barren avenues
satellite images clear like
a slate wiped suddenly clean
wildlife boldly ventures out
exploring storefront windows
from sunlit asphalt lanes
goats nibble untamed hedges
wolves play in lush backyards
occupy empty park benches
pink flamingos stroll across
pristine snow-white beaches
stags sport oak and maple racks
high and wide as their forest homes
mounting marble cathedral steps
beneath brilliant sun stained glass
as grey-skinned dolphins swim
unmolested in blue-green waters
while for once we are the ones
trapped behind translucent glass
looking out at the world
from inside
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Since we are midway through National Poetry Month, I thought I’d take a moment to review. As you know, all in-person poetry events have been cancelled or postponed due to the current pandemic, but the poetry community has come together in other ways. I was honored to have my poem, “Poet,” featured on April 5th for Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Read + Write: 30 Days of Poetry!
April 23rd is Shakespeare’s birthday, so be sure to honor the Bard by reading a book, watching a play (online), or sharing poetry! I’ve linked a few free resources, in case you don’t know where to start, and many libraries offer free online materials as well through their own websites, as well as apps like Hoopla and Overdrive. Local theatres are struggling now (for obvious reasons), so you could make a donation to your local playhouse or attend a local online event (like Ohio Shakespeare Festival). You could also do some silly celebrations, such as Talk-Like-Shakespeare Day!
Also, since this blog is mostly poetry, you may not be aware that I’ve written quite a bit of prose over the years, mostly flash fiction. Lately I have been featuring a weekly free flash fiction post and podcast on my Patreon. This is my way of providing some free reading material for people currently stuck at home, as well as generating excitement for my upcoming book, An Optimist’s Journal of the End of Days and Other Stories!
I hope you enjoyed my poem! Remember, if you are quarantined at home, you are helping to save lives. If you need to venture out to work to keep everyone else going during these difficult times, thank you. Your efforts are appreciated, and my heart goes out to you all.
Take solace in the good things, and try to get through the bad. Stay safe, stay well, and read often!
Cat Russell 