We’re spending more time alone because of the pandemic and I suspect, even those of us who need a large measure of alone-time have had sufficient, thanks you very much!. So there’s joy, isn’t there, when a moment of togetherness is gifted to you – even if it is through a Zoom meeting?

One evening this past week, I gathered with two friends via zoom who enjoy writing and who know how to hold silence. I was looking forward to it, but it returned to me a larger measure of joy than I was expecting because it ‘decorated’ the space we shared, even though we’re separated by mountains, prairies and an ocean. The poem below (formatted in a different way than I’ve yet used on this blog, because of the structure — must needs) came out of the time the three of us gave to writing to a prompt. This prompt asked us to be sparse with words to create a mood. This is the result of my time and a few minutes the next morning — spillover of joy from the previous night, like finding another present under the tree after you thought they were all gone.

desk decorations

a reminder for that meeting
in plain sight   poems
scattered mid-edit   a late supper
enjoyed   a phone turned off -- 
turned over   a pine cone awakens
my hand   a pencil jotting notes
to remember   friends of mine
invited   a little silence.

© 2020 Laurel Archer

Decorations are usually things that are extra special, add ons to highlight the season, a celebration or a feeling. But maybe a special moment elevates ordinary items we see every day to make them special too, making them Advent treasures.