I was recently at a fantastic retreat. And we did discuss the impact the COVID had on our lives. The leader gave us this wonderful poem:
May we never again
take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
full shelves at the store
conversations with the neighbours
a crowded theatre
Friday night out
the taste of communion
a routine check-up
the school rush each morning
coffee with a friend
the stadium roaring
each deep breath
a boring Tuesday
Life itself.
When this ends
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way - better
for each other
because of the worst
- Laura Kelly Fanucci.
I read it and also reflected on the ecological crisis. There is not going to be one moment, one time, one disaster that 'completes' the ecological crisis. It is ongoing, it peaks and falls like ocean waves. So I've written:
When we experience the worst
may we never again
take for granted
clean water to drink
clean air to breathe
healthy soil to grow food in
consistent seasons that we can rely upon for growth
unpolluted oceans for our fish to swim in
forests to capture excess carbon
insects
ice caps to reflect the light from the sun
wild animals to roam the continents
cooler weather for half of the year
fish and coral
convenience
Life in all its forms
When the earth heals
may we find
that we have become
more like the species
we need to be
we were created to be
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way - better
for all of creation
because of the worst.