While We Stay Inside

We took for granted many things.

Some we thought we’d never miss.

But now they’re gone, it all feels wrong.

And so, we’ll stay inside.

A cold beer in the driveway with a few neighbors, around the time the sky starts to get dark.

Our children’s t-ball games on weeknights in the park,

Sitting shoulder to shoulder with a stranger, on a bus, that smells like pee.

Fully stocked shelves in stores, where everyone can find the things they need.

We took for granted many things.

Some we thought we’d never miss.

But now they’re gone, it all feels wrong.

And so, we’ll stay inside.

Full pews at church, smiles at the grocery store

and potluck dinners that never end.

Long lines in coffee shops.

Afternoon playdates with best friends.

We took for granted many things.

Some we thought we’d never miss.

But now they’re gone, it all feels wrong.

And so, we’ll stay inside.

Bumping shoulders at the farmers market, with early morning smiles that say “hello”

The neighbor kids’ laughter drifting through an open kitchen window

The roar of the crowd as the buzzer blares and the ball goes through the net!

When my hands smelt of lotion, gluten free flour and dirt from freshly planted flowers

Instead of hand sanitizer, soap and anxiety sweat.

We took for granted many things.

Some we thought we’d never miss.

But now they’re gone, it all feels wrong.

And so, we’ll stay inside.

Traffic jams and crowded, stuffy rooms full of friends on the weekend.

Awkward chatting with strangers at the dog park while our dogs become best friends.

School kids in hallways, lined up in single file.

Campfires on a buggy night with friends you haven’t seen in a while.

We took for granted so many things.

And now they’re all racing through my mind.

So, god, please grant us all the patience and faith

To wait this out inside.