This poem is about experiencing the pandemic from March 2020, up until this poem was completely finished (April 12, 2021). I am filled with gratitude for witnessing my friends, family, and myself experience immense strength in overcoming the obstacles that arose as we navigated stepping into the world a little more. I hope this poem can exist as a moment in time from my life during the COVID-19 pandemic. As hard as this past year has been, there is so much strength and beauty that overshadows the painful moments. 

Experiencing a global pandemic at 22 was not something we were prepared for in school. I watched friends slip to numbing their pain with alcohol and isolating from almost all social interaction. Some of this was in fear, some of it was in complete sadness and confusion. Navigating life in a pandemic, when society tells you this is the time to begin your life, is scary. Many of us lost jobs and family members, and deeply felt pain. 

As a yoga instructor, I am reminded that there is beauty in witnessing all that comes up within us. When we can realize that our karma is not the event that happened to us, but it is in how we react to the event that our mindsets shift. 

As my own paradigm shift took place after months of grappling with what lesson I could pull from the pandemic, I witnessed the beauty of community. Slowly, we made our way back to one another (and are continuing to do so). Even though we still might not be in physical spaces with one another like we used to, we are finding more love, beauty, and excitement in seeing one another. We are more open and more present with one another. We savor the moments of a simple conversation in person, and remember it when we feel alone. 

As we continue to grow from this past year, we are doing so together. So, where do we grow now?

 In the early mornings 
 When tree tops are covered by mist
 I can still hear you,
 begging for change at the root
 
 In cloudy minds
 and guarded hearts
 You tried to clip your own young wings
 You said there wouldn’t be anywhere to fly
 When nights came
 And seasons changed
 
 When the sun rose
 And you took flight
 I was reminded
 of how much you worked
 to overcome the pain
 
 Where do we grow now?