Spring buds are here!

 After a long, grey, wet winter, we have just had a run of beautiful sunny spring days. What a difference it has made to my mood. 

SPRING BUDS ARE HERE

Simple

Pleasures

Returning

Instinctively -

Nature’s

Guest

Bursting

Unashamed;

Dazzling

Splendour,

Arousing,

Renewing,

Energising.

Hope

Exhales;

Relief

Emanates.

Rachel McCoubrie 26.2.21

COVID #6: The morning after winter solstice

I wrote this at the end of December 2020. It had been an incredibly difficult year for everyone. The pandemic had taken its toll in so many different ways for different people, and certainly working in the NHS had felt so much more stressful than usual. As Winter Solstice came and went, I read a comment on Facebook about the shortest day and that from now on, each day will be a little longer and lighter as we move towards spring. This, and the news of a vaccine for COVID being rolled out, felt like the start of something more hopeful, more positive to look forward to. 

The morning after winter solstice

 

The shortest day is done.

Dawn breaks with a promise;

each day a fraction longer,

a sunbeam brighter,

a feather lighter.

From deep earthy darkness, 

seeds of hope take root, 

tentative shoots push

towards the surface

where light and air abound.

With a deep breath,

determined, they stand tall;

fat buds burst triumphant,

rainbows of resplendent flowers

jubilantly declare better days are on the way.

Brighter, lighter, promising hope. 

 

 

Rachel McCoubrie 22.12.20

COVID #5: Learning from COVID

COVID poem #5: Learning from COVID

Life is to be savoured.

We took so much for granted

Without appreciating how very fortunate we were

Without COVID. 

 

Things like hugs,

Unmasked faces,

Sharing air and touching,

Without fear of catching or sharing infection.

 

Dinner dates,

Drinks after work,

Family gatherings and celebrations,

Without having to consider where or how many people.

 

Visiting grandparents,

Holding their wrinkled hands,

Sitting close so they can lip-read and hear,

Without masks, alcohol gel, plastic screens or visiting bans.

 

Planning holidays abroad,

Tropical beaches, revitalising sunshine, 

Spectacular scenery, edifying cultural experiences,

Without fear of cancellation, quarantine, or implications for work and school.

 

Sitting in cinemas

Sharing bags of popcorn,

Concerts, arenas, standing in big crowds,

Without any thought of virus spread and global pandemics. 

 

One day,

One very fine day,

We'll do all these things again,

Savouring every moment, every touch, and every breath

Without COVID.

 

 

Rachel McCoubrie

24.10.20