~I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me ~ Simon & Garfunkel “I am a Rock”
I am sitting here trying to figure out how the world came to this. We all heard about this sickness in China a few months ago. I paid little attention, to be honest. And then it was Italy. And then Germany. And it seems by the time the coronavirus hit the US, we went from curiosity about it to confusion to anxiety to panic.
And now here we are. Quarantined to our homes. We are to stay 6 feet away from everyone. Wash your hands. Wear masks. Don’t touch anyone & let no one touch you.
I can’t help but wonder why in times like these, we turn to the arts. Like clockwork. Why does that happen? Why do I now want to read more or desire to read one of the classics I had hoped to read? People are doing puzzles again. My daughter and her friends are playing cards and board games. People are painting. They are listening to classic music and remembering the fun times. We are surrounding ourselves with the arts. And I don’t think it is a coincidence.
In hard times, in tragic times, we turn to the arts. Because the arts have always given us something to hope for. I’m sorry this is happening to us. Yet, I hope you take this time to dig deep into your creative side. Read that classic. Read poetry. Paint a picture and hang it in your living room. Write.
Hey Simon & Garfunkel, your lyrics are very fitting.
With love from Grand Haven,
Julie