Corona Jewels

But these tears will not be wasted
My Corona jewels, Pandemic pearls
They will fill up the river of my life
And overflow gently into the callows

Miriam Brennan rsm
Sligo

 

 COVID-19

The Corona Virus has caused many tears,
As well as anxiety and sorrow and fears
But here in Árd Bhríde all the rules we obey
Telling this deadly virus
You’re not welcome to stay!

Clare Phillips rsm
Mayo

 

STAY

Stay.
Now.
Here.
Be.
Be now.  Here, without
A what….without
A where….without
A when….
Something like the
Bird
Bee
Tree.
Is that
Me?

Noreen Lyons rsm
Galway

 

My Easter Dream for a New Dawn

I arise early and drive
To my Native Village of Cong.
Father Pat celebrates Mass
At the lake shore.
Red sparks from the Paschal fire
Crackle in the silence
Joyful alleluias fill the air
Ascending heavenwards.
The blackbirds sing their melodies
In the hedgerows nearby.
Tears of gratitude fall down my cheeks

As for a brief moment, I remember
The Corona Virus and the Pandemic
That rocked our World in
The last two years.
I remember the sacrifices
And the outpouring of love and generosity
Of those on the Frontline.
And I whisper a prayer of Thanksgiving.
Now, on this glorious morning,
With the dawn of a New Day,
Grannies and Grand Dads
Sit beside me on the rocks,
Embracing their little ones.
And singing
‘Christ has died, Christ is Risen.
Christ has come again’’.
There is a palpable feeling of His presence.
In every face, in every smile,
In every chant, in every
Ray of sunshine.
Bread broken and wine poured out,
Continues to embalm our world
With love and friendship,
As we become a new creation and
Minister to each other in the words of
Our Risen Saviour,
‘ I have given you an example
That so you also should do’

Angela Conroy rsm
Castlebar, Co Mayo

 

Blessing

Bless them oh my soul and all
my being bless the anonymous
and named, each worker facing
the virus: bless them when they
receive the scared at the hospital
entrance, wheel them to the ward –
their approach – a towel of light;
bless them when they give a glass
of water to relieve fever; their
gestures softening irritation’s
texture; bless the faces full of heart,
bending over aching bodies;
their words soothing the sorrowful,
marooned in isolation rooms. Blessing
on ears hearing sobs and screams
eyes beholding with intention –
their fortitude when oxygen
and ventilators fail to alleviate
the stare of struggle – breath
tightening, ribcage around lungs
not wanting to give in – the rhythm
of eternal breath in the gasp of death.

Mary Lee
Galway

 

A COVID Imbolc 2021

No group-gathering of rushes
This eve of Brigid feast
No crowds around her Holy
Wells In pilgrimage, this year
But somebody out walking
Along a country way may
See or hear in nature some
Renewing sense of Faith

May see a Brigid Mantle
Spread or hear a church bell
Ring, a sign to pause, reflect
A while or maybe cause to
Sing, remember Mary of the
Gael, St Brigid and her care
Spring season new, Imbolc
We celebrate, aware

A Virtual Programme for her
Day from Brigit’s Gardens
Zoom, lighting of the fire,
The story-telling room, her
Mantle spread, her tree
Adorned, her cross in rushes
Green, to keep alive a spark
A glow to honour Brigid’s Name
The Solas Bhríde Flame
Alight for Afri Festival
Another Virtual Gathering
With a world-wide connect

Music, song and poetry and
The Planting of a Tree
Eco-friendly thoughts inspire
Justice-action from Afri

We adapt the outdoor Rituals
And share the household
Lore, connect with one another
Repeat customs we all know
From hearth and home and
Healing, from nature and with
Prayer to nourish our belonging
And reach out in heartfelt care

Rose Moran
Longford

 

We, Too…..

Event of Easter, fifty days
Ongoing
Completion into Christ of
Jesus earthly life and our
Completion, mirrored

Our shortcomings, a block
To letting Christ-light thro’
Denial and betrayal, we, too
Forgiveness and begin again
Each time made new

From clock-time into lunar
COVID-19 challenge came
Find purpose and meaning
When restrictions caused
Pain

Task master like no other
We had ever known, but for
Good of all and safety we

Were happy to stay home
Get used to Masses on the

Screen, go surfacing, else-
Where, get used to Ritual
Meetings, Congregational
Affairs, Retreats, Reflection
Days.

Process personal history on
Walks and in-betweens
Relate with grieving families,
Manage patient visits and
Arrange Home Funerals

Frontline workers show how
Mercy cares in their respective
Roles, all included in our
Prayers and extra meditative
Hours

We pray that science will
Discover a vaccine to suit all
We discern Conspiracy Theories
And the rumours they incur
We thank God for the young

And old who keep our hearts
Up-beat; read plenty on the
Theme of Hope for tired worn-
Out feet, feel grateful for the
Health-care plans that offer us

Vaccines. For sake of all we
Play our part to keep the
Environment free. Remember
Family-friends abroad, read
Write and re-create

Listen, talk and help in need
To keep everybody safe
Remember Mercy’s wider
Than just our own cocoon
All Creation cries aloud

New thoughts already come
To process for the future

Years, reflective listening
To be done, perhaps another
Poem?

Rose Moran
Longford