Pandemic Pantoum
How Did We Survive?
Pandemic Pantoum| How Did We Survive?
by Chanda Singleton Griesë
The way forward is the way back
Car lines snaking around the park
To bring life and light to death and black
Waiting for their turn to toe the mark
Car lines snaking around the park
Searching for ways to stop the spread
Waiting for their turn to toe the mark
To not be counted among the dead
Searching for ways to stop the spread
We all took sides, our family and friends
To not be counted among the dead
Whatever precautions, it all depends
We all took sides, our family and friends
On differing points, we didn’t meet
Whatever precautions, it all depends
To reconcile was no small feat
On differing points, we didn’t meet
Some of our dearest friends were lost
To reconcile was no small feat
And we are still counting the cost
Some of our dearest friends were lost
After restrictions were lifted
And we’re still counting the cost
Our community had shifted
After restrictions were lifted
Some of our loved ones had died
Our community had shifted
We were tested and tried
Some of our loved ones had died
For three years we suffered
We were tested and tried
Our choices had not buffered
For three years we suffered
Separated from one another
Our choices had not buffered
How we would ever recover
Separated from one another
Thanksgiving was put on hold
How would we ever recover
The stories that were never told?
Thanksgiving was put on hold
To bring life and light to death and black
The stories that were never told—
The way forward is the way back
The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want He makes me lie down in green pastures He leads me beside still waters He restores my soul He makes me walk in paths of righteousness For His name's sake Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me Thou preparest for me a table for me in the presence of mine enemies Thou anointest my head with oil Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
Afterword - “Cars snaking around the park” was indicative of the 1-2 hour wait at drive-in testing sites during the pandemic. Whether from COVID or not, we lost one or more beloved family members each year of the pandemic. What made it hardest was the separation we felt with COVID restrictions. Memorial services were simple. We tried our best to honor our loved ones. “The way forward is the way back.” Like old times, family get togethers have been healing for us. We are thankful to our relatives who have come to visit us. It is a reminder of the reunion we will have by the grace of God when we will meet our loved ones again in the new Jerusalem with Christ our Savior and Lord.
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:2-5).