How are you?
by Elouise
Photo taken on our last visit to Longwood Gardens, October 2019
It’s been so long
Since I laid eyes on you
Or heard the sound of
Your voice or felt the warmth
Of your body unfiltered
Through electronic wavelengths
From other planets
Unreachable if not lost
In some black hole
How are you? I
Can’t help asking everyone
In particular plus anyone
Caught in webs of good
And evil intentions
Now unraveling and
Morphing into something
Worse than promises
Of our certain liberation
And how am I?
I was never one to enjoy
Unproven fictions now seeping
Through locked doors
Demanding allegiance whether
Justified or not as promising
Moments shatter into shards
Of competing universes
Threatening to undo us
Just in case: Three questions for me, should I be called to serve on a jury anytime soon:
Do I wear a facemask in public?
Yes. I value my life and yours.
Am I prepared to die?
I’d like to think I am, but I’m not sure.
Does the current situation give me hope?
No. My hope does not rest on the current situation.
Not-so-random thoughts passing through my mind these days. I pray each of you is grounded in what matters most these days. And don’t forget to enjoy nature’s bounty!
Elouise♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 18 May 2020
Photo taken by DAFraser on October 2019, Longwood Gardens
Telling the Truth 
Thank you for your posts over the past weeks, Elouise. I miss you, too! Even in the most challenging of situations, the physical presence of other people helps – even the presence of the grumpy ones – because without that presence, there is so much guess-work involved – so much imagining. And when I guess, when I imagine what is going on with/in other people, I am often, if not always “off” – a little or a lot…
I live in hope that is not – cannot be – tethered to circumstances or human promises. I walk through each day asking God to help me remember where my hope lies, and how it can live in/through me this day.
Looking forward to the day when we can safely enjoy each other’s company face-to-face!
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What a wonderful comment, Debbie. I think our various experiences of time are also off-kilter. Most of the time I feel time has ground almost to a halt. I can only imagine it seems to be racing by for those who, like you, often have way too much on your plates and very little time to spare. Or sleep. 🙏🏻
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All of us can relate to your amazing poem and your important questions, Elouise. 🙂
I am outgoing and extroverted to the max 🙂 …so I miss seeing people and hugging people.
But, I’ve never found my hope in situations or other people. 🙂
To me, hope is like peace, joy, love…it’s one of those things you can have, you can feel it in your heart, mind, body and soul…even when the circumstances around you say you shouldn’t be feeling hopeful, joyful, peaceful. 🙂
“Earth’s troubles fade in the light of heaven’s hope.” Billy Graham.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
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Thanks for your uplifting comments! I find myself challenged almost daily to keep my heart fixed on True North. Often that means choosing not to pay attention to news reports. Instead, I listen to music or get outside for a walk. Or write my heart out. 💜💕
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I totally understand how you feel.
I feel the same way.
(((HUGS)))
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Not sure why I just thought of this. Maybe a memory from Seminary class. What dance are you doing today and to what music? I think we still have a choice as to what song we will play and how we will respond to it. Carol and I have a small collection of 45s, 33 1/3s, and old 78s, but no turntable to spin them on. But just reading the titles generates great sound memories. So I ask what disc are you planning to spin tomorrow? I believe there is Hope in our planning to dance again tomorrow no matter what shoes we have to wear.
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Thanks, Dave, for your comments about dancing. I love your last line. I also love what you say about just reading titles of old favorites we can’t hear anymore except in our hearts! 🙂 As one of those preacher’s kids never allowed to participate in social dancing, I probably don’t have the same memories you do, but I get the point bigtime about dancing and Hope and planning to dance again tomorrow, regardless. One more thing: Your comment brought back the words to “I Danced in the Morning.” I think I used the words from that hymn more than once in my theology classes. Long ago and far away! Blessings to you and Carol, and prayers for this day and whatever it brings.
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Nicely put, Elouise.
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Thanks, John. I wonder what will become of us? Sometimes I feel like an outdated antique. So be it, if this is the best we can do at ‘real’ life.
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