I’ve had some conversations this week by Zoom or by phone that indicate that the isolation is wearing thin. If you’re the kind of person who’s up for a challenge, perhaps it felt like something to conquer — I can do this, no problem. Our family has done a kind of self isolation for years, needing to manage difficult behaviours that autism brings on. We’ve walked on a parallel trail with others for a long time. The only thing different about this present journey is that all of you are now walking it too. Suddenly we’re trending!

And yet, all I’m really learning is how impossible it is. We’re not made for this — even those of us who are declared introverts or the marginalized in society at large. We need each other and were made for each other. Hopefully we’re made more aware of our longing for connection and mindful of those who have suffered from isolation for years. Maybe we’ll come through this healed in ways to which we are not yet aware – and ready to bring healing to others. That’s how I’m praying anyway.

Isolation

We walk the edge
of our mirrored worlds together
(now wishing that our actions
did not always have equal
and opposite reactions)
as news and announcements
disturb our perceptions
and numbers rise alarmingly.
We’re revising everything,
the way we work, worship, breathe.

How could we forget
the impact we have on each other,
or how important presence is?
Our lives are reflected
even by a puddle,
our breath can cloud
our vision in the cold.
Is it so surprising
when our actions and inactions,
harmless as they seem,
ricochet everywhere?

Independence is a myth,
but needing a medicine
to stem infection now,
we’re finding how painful
isolation is — impossible.

When the virus
has completed its work
will we remember
the only important questions were:
When can we walk side by side,
sit around a table,
attend a sick friend,
grip the hand of a stranger,
steady someone stumbling?

When can I be with you again,
together and touching?

© 2020 Laurel Archer