CREATIVE QUARENTINE POETRY
Here are 4 creative writings related to the time society has spent in quarantine. The writings explain how even though the situation is different, it still can increase your desire for relationship with God. The first one was written by a Jerry Lo Piccalo a member of Catholic Spirit Radio's advisory board. The authors of the next 2 writings is unknown.
LOCKED OUT
The doors of my church are locked up today,
they said I can’t come in, and I couldn’t stay to pray.
A virus they said, more deadly than sin,
is the reason they gave, why they wouldn’t let me in.
I’m not sure who it was, or who made that decision,
don’t tell me He is dead, because I know He has risen.
I’ve been coming to visit Jesus, since I was a young lad,
now I can’t visit with Him, turning my happiness to sad.
The Adoration Chapel when I was there made us three,
visiting an hour each week, was only Jesus, Mary and me.
The years have passed me by, for I am now an old man,
does He knows why I’m not there, do you think He will understand.
A virtual mass is being shown to us instead,
they tell us He is alive, and don’t believe He is dead.
Funerals, weddings & baptisms are now only allowed,
no more than 10 people can be present, don’t make it a crowd.
You can watch mass on your laptop, your I-pad or I-phone,
They have made it convenient, much like working from home.
It’s not quite the same to watch mass on TV,
I would rather be in church, in my pew, where I am supposed to be.
When they say it’s all over, and I am allowed to someday,
return to my church, to visit Jesus and pray.
Memories of loved ones, that I have said goodby to,
are funerals of times past, when I shed tears more than a few.
I will remember these months, may it never happen again,
when they locked all the doors, and I couldn’t visit Him.
-Written by Jerry Lo Piccalo, Catholic Spirit Radio Advisory Board Member
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Are you praying and tuning into Mass while at home? If so, you may find this creative short story to be relevant. Here's a totally hypothetical story. It was retrieved from an article from the Catholic News agency which is owned by EWTN. The article's author does not disclose the name of the author of this short fictional conversation. It was at:
God is talking to the ‘enemy.’ The evil one saying, “With COVID19 I have closed your churches,” and with God answering, “On the contrary, I have opened a church in each house.”
-author unknown, short story has no title
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Here is an acrostic poem about how to grow in faith during this period of time that has been referred to as a public "lockdown" The author of the poem is unknown. This poem was posted on the facebook page of historic St. Patrick Church.
L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N. is a time to:
Listen to God’s voice and reflect. Let go and let God.
Obey His word and His teaching.
Call on Jesus’ name and be calm.
Know that God has a purpose for all of this.
Dwell in His presence. Do not panic.
Offer a prayer for everyone’s safety.
Wait on the Lord and be patient. This too shall pass.
Nurture our Future relationship with God.
-author unknown
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We discovered some other nice poems (as well as prayers) about Quarantine or Covid-19 at the website of a Catholic school Xavier University.
To see the full list, visit their website. Here is an example from that site:
The Other Side of the Virus,
An Opportunity to Awaken...
Written by Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM,
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
so that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic-
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
