We fell into a rhythm of holidays
and seasonal change, cool to cold
days, gray skies and pearl moon
evenings with games, bonfires,
and homecoming parades.
We gathered and shared
food, stories, gifts, fellowship.
We reached across the table,
held hands when we prayed,
pressed in together, cheek
to cheek when we arrived
and as we left. We laughed
and cried right next to each
other, shoulder to shoulder,
huddled, hugging, holding,
without even one degree
of separation — much less six
and through masks and shields
and closed windows —
Do you remember that pleasant time
before this time just one year ago?
—C.L. Fisher, December 2020
