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(POETRY)

STUCK/SAFE AT HOME

​VALERIE FROST

Stuck at home
​

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
                                                                                                                        -Isaiah 41:10-13, NKJV
 
Bad news
why did I think that it’s
business as usual
it’s not
I want to go to work
I can’t believe
I’m spending more time than ever with my family
this is punishment
why would we believe
staying home is a rare bonding opportunity
I’ve never spoken to my neighbors before
isn’t it terrible that
I feel joy when waving at anybody on my block now
I’ve always used so much toilet paper
I’m ashamed to admit
I’m being thrifty with material goods
my life before this was so busy and scheduled with activities
I can’t stand that
I’m forced to slow down and be present in the moment
isolation is boring, with no options for things to do
it’s not true
social distancing will protect the ones we love
we should be frightened and there’s no hope
it’s a lie to think
God will strengthen and help us
we have to embrace this new way of living
when we should wish for things to return to normal
this is not
Good news
 
Safe at home (re-read from bottom to top)

Picture



​Valerie Frost
is a native of the Garden State and now lives in Central Kentucky. She is currently earning an MFA in creative nonfiction and poetry at Eastern Kentucky University. She has a BA and MA in Education and when she is not working with young children, she is at home with her twin three-year-olds. She has previously written for the Graham's Foundation NICU blog and also has a freelance writing job for a Millennial women's site, where she has been a regular contributor for over a year.

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