Quarantine Poetry: Holy Days

During the pandemic of this year, I've been writing a poem each day and posting it to Facebook. Most of my poems are celebrations of natural beauty; a few are ethical/political commentaries with some bite.

You can see more poems by visiting my new Facebook page.

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Holy Days

©2020 Rev. Ted Tollefson

We could spend the next several weeks

arguing about which holiday came first

or who has the most followers

but I hope we won't.

We have better things to do.

We could even get nasty

and make some holidays illegal

and just one mandatory

we could insist that everyone

sing our favorite song

but I hope we won't

on a good day

we are better than that.

We could even wage holy war

or imprison those

who use a slightly different metaphor

for the Great Mystery

which sustains all life

but what would that accomplish?

In this season of Light,

let's stop arguing

about which candle burns brightest

or who Mom or Dad

loves the most.

What if we shift our gaze

from candles and traditions

to the One Light

that shines through all things

and sustains every life

whether we like it or not

whether we see if or not.

May the eyes of our hearts be open

and tongues of "I know better"

keep still.

Now is always a good time

to witness, praise, and share the Light

entrusted to our care

even if our hands tremble

even if we can't remember the magic words