It is the Ides of March
A day to beware
To look over my shoulder
With darting eyes
Taking in all
That might pose danger
I am not Julius Caesar
The one who received that warning
But on this Ides of March
There is caution all around me as
Fear boldly offers to take me into
A place of uncertainty
Where Self-doubt and Second Guesses
Join their friend in the doorway and
Together they rush to introduce everyone
To the one whose name is
Pandemic
Someone or something whose plan is
To assume control and wreak havoc
Throughout the world
I am aware
This Ides of March
Oh, I am aware
Of all the confusion
And chaos
And terror
That these companions bring
I know their dangers
What will happen
If I shake Pandemic’s hand
I know the cost of acquaintance
With Fear
I know what is possible
If Self-doubt and Second Guesses are allowed
To answer on my behalf
Life itself could be compromised
Tempting it is
For me to withdraw
In the company of this troupe
So that I might emerge from this season
Unscathed
Yet there are things
That I can do
That I am called to do
That I yearn to do
Even from a distance
There is courage I can offer
To those who do not feel strong enough
There are salves that I can vouchsafe
To those who need the medicine of endurance
As Fear and Pandemic
Self-doubt and Second Guesses
Continue to knock on our doors
There are ways that I can help
Words that I can speak
Songs that I can sing
Bright colors of blue and green and purple
That I can paint into my prayers
For those who need to be surrounded
With hope and peace and comfort
For the healing of this world
The path may not be quite clear
But draped in silence
Without the clamor of others
Who like me are keeping distance
Yet in the fog of this season
I know I am not alone
So I will wait until the path is clear again
And study hyacinths
Emerging through solid earth
I will listen to the tune of hope
And join the song that Spring sings
For all of us
Photos by CAR on 15 March 2020 in Shaffer Garden, Parkersburg, WV
prayers of my heart, a collection of articles and writings by C. Alicia Randolph 
Thank you for your efforts today to encourage my heart that God is in control. For I am indeed one of “those who need to be surrounded
With hope and peace and comfort
For the healing of this world”. The service this morning was a blessing. Thank you, Jimmy & Rich for connecting us all together and assuring me that God is in control. Your words were a great comfort in the midst of last weeks chaos. Your poem put my heart at ease this evening. I think I’ll try and focus on the hyacinths & Spring for this week. You are a source of sanity and encouragement. God be at all our sides this week. Thanks & many blessings come your way!
Gary
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