Love & Loss #76
Plastic shields divide
Anthony Nanfito, Haiku Ponderings
Respirators pump and press
A silent goodbye
Pondering This Haiku
I originally published this haiku to my Instagram account (haikubyfifi) on January 15, 2021. I shared it in response to a news update I heard via NPR about the rising cases of deaths in the U.S. due to the covid-19 pandemic.
It’s been over two years since the covid-19 virus first appeared on the world stage and a lot has changed since then, but I still think about those who were lost (or lost someone) during this pandemic. As of this writing (April 17, 2022) there have been over 988,560,000 total deaths in the U.S. and 6.2 million total deaths worldwide (Source: ourworldindata.org).
Behind each of those numbers was a person with a family and friends. Thinking about them reminded me of this haiku I wrote. When I wrote it, I was thinking about how difficult it must have been to personally suffer and lose something from this virus, especially in the beginning.
Oftentimes—due to the spread of the virus—the early losses in this pandemic died behind plastic walls, away from loved ones and without the touch of another human being to comfort them as they parted this life. It’s truly tragic and my heart goes out to all of the people around the globe who have suffered because of covid-19 and its fallout.
The virus is still out there and while it seems like things are under control, we know from the second half of 2021 (and from the pandemic as whole) that the world is inherently unpredictable and random. For some, this might cause a sense of panic, but for me it reminds me of the value of the present moment. The value of honoring today and those we share it with because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
Wherever you are in the world, keep washing those hands with soap and water, and stay safe.
A Question for You to Ponder
What’s your favorite way to be present with those you love?
Share your answer in the comments below.
Book Promo for National Poetry Month:
The featured haiku in this post is from my haiku collection, Haiku Ponderings. This collection features over 100 haiku centered around the themes of Mindfulness, Compassion, Gratitude, Love & Loss, and Give & Forgive.
In celebration of (U.S.) National Poetry Month, my collection is discounted for a promotion price of $0.99 from Fri April 1, 2022 to Sat April 30, 2022 on the following retailers. Follow the link below to download your copy today!
If you’re enjoying this blog series celebrating National Poetry Month and want to read the other posts in the series click here.
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Anthony Nanfito 