Gathering
by Louise Gallagher
Gathering, the circle draws us near
candlelight flickering
on precious faces held so dear
sharing stories of our days
laughing and teasing one another
as only those whose stories have been woven
through the warp and weft of this family tapestry can
because we know
there is no distance too far
that cannot be bridged by two hearts
beating together and weaving stories
full of memory and love of life
shared within the circle.
As we thread our stories
together, laughter, memories and love risesand we raise a glass in silent honouring
of all the hearts who lost their beat
in those days, not yet past but slowly now,
slipping away,
when we could not gather with family and friendsbecause only the distance between us
could keep us safe.
We are gathering now
drawing near
stretching our arms around one another,
curving into bodies touching, heart to heart
and savouring these times
where we can feel them beat
in time
as we gather and share
laughter, love and memories of times past
and loved ones lost and feeling grateful
for those who made it
through to be here now,
gathering, the circle drawing us near,
holding us safe
from where so many have gone
leaving behind only memories
to light the empty spaces left behind.
Powerful! Thought-provoking!
As we slowly, very slowly, attempt to emerge from our Covid-influenced cocoons (do not like bubbles, sounds like a cheap version of Veuve Clicquot!), we face the reality of a new normalcy. I, for one, am still reluctant to throw the doors wide open to embrace the ever-loosening restrictions. Too many times we have had to revert back, sometimes not fast enough, as those nasty tentacles of Covid’s insipid re-ignite.
Yet, Dear Friend, your words bring comfort, peace of mind, that it may be time to begin to grasp the concept of gathering beyond the pall of the past 18+ months. Slowly, very slowly.
Namaste!
Australia has fared so much better than we have Joanne. Here in Alberta, the counts are still high, vaccination rates not high enough, and the toll of Covid continues to steal too many lives.
Beautifully heartfelt and poignantly touching Louise … I had a very similar gathering yesterday, a meeting of friends after an extraordinary 18 months of lockdown .. . with deep combined feelings of joy, relief, love, and fuzzy tingling warmth … 🤗😉😍🌏
Your poem is a journey giving glimpses of life, how it has been and how it is. So deeply touching, beautiful. I could feel the crowding, the distancing and the precious gathering again – such deep joy felt, such deep grief that has passed.
Pragalbha, you have the most exquisite way of expressing your connection and sense of the invisible threads you experience in what others write. (like me)
It is absolutely beautiful and moving how you do that. Thank you. ❤
And over here in Sask as deaths and ICU’s are overfull we are personally drawing back. The government is too weak knee to put in any restrictions but we are super careful about what we do and where we go. Way more so than 2 months ago despite the fact that my entire family are fully vaccinated except for the grandchildren who are too little — hence why we need to be careful. Lovely poem. Such evocative words.
Alberta and Sask have been the poster children of ‘what not to do in a pandemic’. Our rates are dropping but the death toll is still heart-breaking and tragic and a reflection of our lack of good leadership. I keep thinking our Premier will step down but that’s just wishful thinking.
We too were pulling back but are slowly easing — while still keeping caution at the forefront of all our interactions.
I am off to Vancouver tomorrow to spend time with my grandchildren — I welcome the day such travel doesn’t also carry fissures of worry in the back of my mind.
Hugs.
Dare Boldly 
Powerful! Thought-provoking!
As we slowly, very slowly, attempt to emerge from our Covid-influenced cocoons (do not like bubbles, sounds like a cheap version of Veuve Clicquot!), we face the reality of a new normalcy. I, for one, am still reluctant to throw the doors wide open to embrace the ever-loosening restrictions. Too many times we have had to revert back, sometimes not fast enough, as those nasty tentacles of Covid’s insipid re-ignite.
Yet, Dear Friend, your words bring comfort, peace of mind, that it may be time to begin to grasp the concept of gathering beyond the pall of the past 18+ months. Slowly, very slowly.
Namaste!
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I hear you my friend. Still so many unknowns and invisible microbes lurking.
And still, the circle opens and draws closer those we love, as it must, for we are made to love one another. ❤
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Wow………….
A post to make one think
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Australia has fared so much better than we have Joanne. Here in Alberta, the counts are still high, vaccination rates not high enough, and the toll of Covid continues to steal too many lives.
Many hugs my friend. ❤
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……and I wonder. Let us hope. It is a lovely thought.
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Yes Mary… let us hope…. ❤
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Beautifully heartfelt and poignantly touching Louise … I had a very similar gathering yesterday, a meeting of friends after an extraordinary 18 months of lockdown .. . with deep combined feelings of joy, relief, love, and fuzzy tingling warmth … 🤗😉😍🌏
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How beautiful Ivor! To gather and feel so much beauty!
And yes, it has been an extraordinary time. ❤
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It is precious to gather with family and friends. Maybe we all appreciate this more than ever?
I was most struck by your ending lines.
“leaving behind only memories
to light the empty spaces left behind.”
Memories, being the loving light, that remains with us forever. That we can hold on to.
Enjoy your time tonight.
Sending you love,
Ali
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Thank you dear Ali — it was truly an illuminating experience ❤
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Your poem is a journey giving glimpses of life, how it has been and how it is. So deeply touching, beautiful. I could feel the crowding, the distancing and the precious gathering again – such deep joy felt, such deep grief that has passed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pragalbha, you have the most exquisite way of expressing your connection and sense of the invisible threads you experience in what others write. (like me)
It is absolutely beautiful and moving how you do that. Thank you. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You make me feel so good with your kind words 🙏🏼 My pleasure and privilege to get to engage with your words and work 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
And over here in Sask as deaths and ICU’s are overfull we are personally drawing back. The government is too weak knee to put in any restrictions but we are super careful about what we do and where we go. Way more so than 2 months ago despite the fact that my entire family are fully vaccinated except for the grandchildren who are too little — hence why we need to be careful. Lovely poem. Such evocative words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alberta and Sask have been the poster children of ‘what not to do in a pandemic’. Our rates are dropping but the death toll is still heart-breaking and tragic and a reflection of our lack of good leadership. I keep thinking our Premier will step down but that’s just wishful thinking.
We too were pulling back but are slowly easing — while still keeping caution at the forefront of all our interactions.
I am off to Vancouver tomorrow to spend time with my grandchildren — I welcome the day such travel doesn’t also carry fissures of worry in the back of my mind.
Hugs.
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