healingwords: poetry for the soul

Yesterday I was able to go out for the first time in 8 weeks. It was a beautiful evening, cooling enough to enjoy a gentle walk around the village. We crossed paths with other walkers, all politely moving aside, maintaining a safe distance without comment. It was strange to see people and speak Spanish again and refreshing to be out in the open, enjoying familiar views and the countryside blooming. I am fortunate to live 5 minutes walk from nature, the virus still controls our movements here but we enjoy more freedom than those living in city flats with a high density population. I wonder with the new home office working proving possible if we will stiff a movement out of the cities to a quieter way of life and a regeneration of many depopulated rural areas. I think we are at the beginning of a time of change, where the accepted progress of our societies, with its benefits but also its problems,  is being reevaluated.

Today is a big day in Spain, children are allowed outside for the first time in 6 weeks, my grandson is on his bike and the baby feeling the sunshine for his first outing since birth. I am counting down the days, the Government plan is for people to be allowed out for exercise and walks from May 2nd if all goes well this week. The strict lockdown has worked and the out of control rise in virus cases is now reducing. However we will need caution in the days and weeks ahead, things will change and we are changing already in our expectations. Today is just for rejoicing that our children have the freedom to run again. 

Second day of isolation at home and I am looking out over my roof terrace to the mountains. It is a chill, grey day, clouds hanging over the hills. I have the windows open to let fresh air flow through the house. The air is full of birdsong, I can hear a chain saw but no cars. My son is practising his saxophone, I can not remember the last time he picked up his instrument but he has already thought of things to fill his time. It feels strange, like our little corner of the world is suspended from normal life. We are thinking of what we eat, making sure we do not waste any food, planning ahead.  I like many have complained about the negative impact of social media but in this situation it is an amazing tool. As long as I do not obsess on the news but use it for connecting with my children and grandchildren, sharing a virtual cup of tea, keeping up with my friends, sharing poetry and uplifting posts of flowers and trees. I am enjoying you tube videos of story telling and seeing...