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. 

It is indeed a strange time when bars in Spain and pubs in Ireland are closed. They are the hub of the community, popular with locals and visitors. I miss my evening drink with friends in our local Cooperativa bar, or morning coffee in Siremar. This photograph is from a pub in Galway where we stopped for a Guinness and a rest from a morning's wandering the town. It was welcoming to us as strangers but also had a familiar, local atmosphere with people in for lunch and a lively chat. The food looked as good as the Guinness.  It is a popular venue for arts and music and I hope to go back one day, when Ireland and Spain's bars and pubs are buzzing with life, noise and chatter again.  Here is a link to Tigh Neachtain for if you ever find yourself in Galway.  https://www.tighneachtain.com/ © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

This strange topsy turvey tree stump seemed rooted into the ground in an olive grove near my home. It now seems a good illustration of the confusing times we are living through where everything we took for granted is in question. What is certain is the land will continue to green without us, the olives will grow and ripen in time for their Autumn collection. Hopefully by then I will be able to walk among them.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

This was one of the last photographs I took before being isolated at home as the Spanish government ordered the population to stay in their homes. Unlike other countries we are not allowed out for walks or exercise and with an existing health condition I have not been out of my front door for over three weeks. The orange blossom will be fading now but at its peak the exquisite, sweet perfume from the fields of orange trees wafts over the whole village. I like the idea of people isolated in their homes being united by the scent of blossom as it permeates the village in a reminder that growth, nature, life continues outside our doors.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

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...

Day 1 of our imposed isolation in Spain, although in reality we have been self isolating and manically bleaching now for over a week. I am one of the at risk groups and have been aware since cases in Italy started to rise of the risks to my own health and my families. It was a strange feeling yesterday, empty streets, bars shut, supermarkets rammed with desperate shoppers who had left it late to shop. In the afternoon I arrived back from my last country walk to hear the Town Hall giving instructions by 'bando' the megaphone Town Crier system still used in our village. The reality of the situation and my gratitude to our new young Councillors bearing such a sombre responsibility struck me and I stood to listen with tears in my eyes.  The isolation is already strange, we are either laughing or crying, panicking or maintaining a strange calm. I am trying to keep calm, worry does not help and I need to support my children and their families. My grandson can not un...