Poetry for a Pandemic with Kim Stafford
Kim Stafford, like his father William Stafford before him, is the Oregon Poet Laureate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim has written multiple poems about the experience of this unique time. One of these poems, published on March 20, 2020 is titled Shelter in Place. Find a quiet place to read the poem through, hopefully at least two times.
Long before the pandemic, the trees
knew how to guard one place with
roots and shade. Moss found
how to hug a stone for life.
Every stream works out how
to move in place, staying home
even as it flows generously
outward, sending bounty far.
Now is our time to practice —
singing from balconies, sending
words of comfort by any courier,
kindling our lonesome generosity
to shine in all directions like stars.
For reflection:
How has sheltering in place been for you?
What has sheltering revealed to you about yourself, your relationships, your work, your life?