When We Think of Time Passages

When We Think of Time Passages

poem by Alice Jane-Marie Massa

Please do not tell me

when five o’clock comes today.

The pendulum on my grandfather clock–

the one with the commemorative plate noting 1942,

the year when my parents were married–

stands tall in the corner by the big window.

All day, the pendulum gracefully, rhythmically

moves back and forth,

back and forth

to remind me of

the passage of time–

six years since my third Leader Dog Zoe

was at my side, was at my touch.

As I hear of the refugees carrying

their pet dogs and cats

to measured safety in a different land,

my heart breaks again

for all that these millions of individuals endure.

What is the hour they await?

The pendulum swings back and forth,

back and forth.

I think of my Zoe’s

last hours, last minutes,

her beautiful heart

that literally broke–

the irony of such a disease

to take her away from me so unbelievably quickly.

Yet, quickly–how quickly the refugees had to leave their deeply beloved homeland

and loved ones…

My heart goes out to the Ukrainians

who (like my friends and I) are blind,

who have other disabilities–

to all of them who seek a peaceful heart,

once again a peaceful homeland.

What will the passage of time

bring to these

strong and courageous people?

On this day that will be bookmarked

in history,

two presidents spoke;

one Congress stood in ovation.

There was asking;

there was measured giving.

There was hope

of once again living

in peace.

With this nearly unbelievable backdrop

on the world stage,

I–watching the pendulum

swing back and forth,

back and forth–

mark the passage of time

in memories

and pray at the altar of sunflowers

for peace, dear friends,

for peace please.

March 16, 2022, Wednesday

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