M.B. HENRY 
SPECIAL EDITION: A poem of historical hope
Hello Dear Friends of WordPress and beyond.
Like the rest of you, I am disturbed and troubled by the outbreak sweeping the globe as I sit here and type this. It’s a bit overwhelming, almost paralyzing. As the days go by, it feels like things go from bad to worse. There’s an ever present tingling and tension in the air. I go through the world (or rather, my house since I’m under shelter in place orders) with stooped shoulders and an upset stomach.
In times like these, it feels hard to keep writing, reading, making art, taking pictures, and going about my routine. However, the writing muse still crackles in my veins and it will not be ignored. It tells me that as hard as it is, now is the most important time to keep doing those things. Because art and literature are powerful human sun rays in a storm like this. More than that, they can bear witness for a future generation, those who will look into the hearts and minds of people like us, locked in this scary time and unable to see the other side.
Thinking in those terms, I see my pen as the most powerful weapon in a world where I feel helpless. This week, instead of one of my usual posts, I picked up that pen and wrote a little something special that I hope will bring you some encouragement. I hope it reminds you that we, humans, have weathered an awful lot of storms. We have been knocked down, but we get back up. We work together and make things come out right. This too shall pass.
I am thinking of all of you. I wish you safety, health, and emotional well being in these very troubling times. To hopefully help with that, I have included some of my favorite photos of flowers and butterflies in this post, two magical things in nature that remind us times of darkness, in a cocoon or in winter’s cold ground, can be times of transformation. We can come out stronger and more beautiful on the other side. So, while we wait for our wings to come in, I wish you all well.
A Poem of Historical Hope
by M.B. Henry
I find myself speechless as I out reach for my pen
Never thought I’d see something like this, not in a decade or ten
I find I’m scared and anxious, it’s hard to focus or think
People have closed their shops and doors, I miss that human link
There’s no real telling when it ends, a kind of thing like this
I’m not sure when normal resumes, or even what normal is
It’s hard for me to think about, I feel so very alone
No places to go or people to see, just sitting here in my home
But there’s lots of people to talk to still, and they’re not too far away
Just down on my bookshelf, thousands of people await
People who have endured so much, survived all kinds of hell
On every page, with every story, they remind me all will be well
World Wars, famines, floods, revolutions, and pandemics too
Space shuttle crashes, nuclear melt downs, shipwrecks in the deep blue
One thing I learn reading it all is light always shines in the dark
Even when things get really rough, there’s always the human spark
It might take more time than we’d like, months, maybe years
Lots of people will get upset, there will be a lot more tears
Someday though, the curve will flatten, things will turn out right
The clouds and rain will dissipate, the sun will shine so bright
The spirit of many tested peoples runs through all of our veins
It helps us to never give up or quit, no matter what chaos reigns
So when I need some company, I’ll march right to my shelf
I’ll grab a book, a glass of wine, I’ll travel some time else
I’ll also keep picking up my pen and writing in the same old way
Especially in my journal, which will help bear witness someday
To tell the story of the Covid Pandemic and how we made it through
For up and coming generations who will have their struggles too
I’ll stay calm and do my best, I’ll wait for the storm to pass
I’ll help my neighbors, call my friends, and attend my livestream mass
I’ll wash my hands, I’ll stay inside, I’ll try to keep to myself
And when I need a dose of courage, I’ll reach for that old book shelf
All photos by M.B. Henry. For more flowers and butterflies, click here and here
Nice. Thank you for this. Be well.
<3 You too!
Fearing with you, and hoping with you, M.B.
All the best,
Tanja
<3 We're all in this together!
powerful and perceptive post MB … absolutely love your poem and your amazing pics!
You’ve penned what many must be feeling just now but this too will pass 🙂
“They went to war so we could live
we just have to stay in the comfort of our own home
…. so they can live!”
Yes, especially to that last part of your comment!! <3
Beautiful.
Glad you liked it.
You express the angst and hopes and fears of this time so well, MB. With you, I find comfort in others who have shared their triumphs, tragedies, fears, and heroic actions through the ages.
<3 I'm so glad you find comfort in that too.
Wonderful poem, MB. Books can indeed offer solace, perspective, and a reminder that many other people have “been there, done that” when it comes to facing immense challenges.
Agreed <3 Loved your Sunday post, by the way!
Thanks for the reminder that we will survive this and history will remember us.
🙂 Glad you liked it.
It’s true that the human journey historically has been a rough road. We just got a little spoiled in the last 60 years or so, vaccines and antibiotics eliminating so many diseases. I guess the bill has finally come due.
Stay well, MB!
You too <3 We will get through this together!
Sending you ❤️, will be here to read your lovely writings, history is a great place to be. Stay frosty soldier!
😉 You know it! And this was a very uplifting comment, thank you!
You have done a wonderful job expressing the sentiments of so many. Humankind as experienced struggles since the beginning and somehow we always weather the storms. ❤️
Yes we do <3 We will weather this one too!
A great poem and beautiful photos.
Thank you!
We are all indeed living through a unique stretch of history. Your poem mirrors what many of us – me included – are experiencing. Thank you for these words of empathy and encouragement.
I’m glad they could help. We will get through this! <3
What an excellent poem. Thank you, MB! “The spirit of many tested peoples runs through all of our veins” – how true this is. Our ancestors are the ones who survived all the plagues that have gone before.
Gorgeous photos – some of those butterflies I’ve not seen before.
I’m often reminded of all our ancestors survived by reading through your many family stories! 🙂 Glad you like the butterflies, they’re one of my favorite photography subjects.
And difficult to photograph, too!
So wonderfully encouraging! Thank you so much!
You are most welcome <3
😊
What lovely words of encouragement.
Glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Be well, MB🙏🏻
You too <3
Your prose is as poetic as your wise verse.
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed them both <3
I love your idea of traveling some time else.
Maybe I will meet you there.
Stay safe.
You choose the era! 🙂
Tough choice for me today…
Each one does have its challenges.
Beautiful. Indeed this gives me hope. Thank you for this message of light to guide us through the darkness.
Glad it could give you some hope!
You have captured it all beautifully! Thank you!
<3 Thank you for reading, glad you enjoyed it.
Beautiful poem and photos!
Thanks so much!
Beautifully done, MB. And an important reminder. I was born during World War II and my parents lived through the Depression. And much has happened since. We will prevail. The good people of the world will prevail. Hope is essential in dark times, and kindness, and a sense of humor, and love… as well as clear thinking, good leadership , and sacrifice. Loved both your photos and your poem. Hang in there! –Curt
So glad you enjoyed it, Curt. Yes – I agree with everything you said here!
Inspiring and comforting. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it
Worldwide we are in this together and thank you for your poem and beautiful photos. Our libraries closed two weeks ago, so I am glad we have lots of books. This evening I started to read a fascinating book on the Spanish flu
Our libraries are closed too. Luckily my book addiction means my house is crammed with books to keep me busy. Which book are you reading? I read a great one about that a long time ago that was hard to get through, even when there wasn’t a pandemic afoot! Keep up your excellent photos 🙂
It was written by a Danish author as it happened a hundred years ago. They suffered a lot then as whole families sometimes died in overcrowded flats
The author is Tommy Heisz
Oh, M.B. You already know I love your words and this week, your photos are incredible as well. Thanks for brightening my day through words and pics. 😊
<3 <3 So glad it all brought you a smile.
Thank you for this. It is difficult to express all the thoughts and feelings this pandemic is producing. As I’m reading this, unable to sleep in the middle of the night, I’m experiencing probably my first real moment of fear associated with all of this. I am grateful that somehow I’ve managed to stay relatively calm until now. I suppose the stress of our unusual situation is bound to pull us all down once in a while. It helps a little to place it all in a historical perspective.
Glad the poem could help a little. I hope you start sleeping better soon, and yes it’s amazing how calm you’ve been able to stay! I have good days and bad days, as I think we all do. Stay well and safe.
So well written, so true and very touching. You really succeed in describing how everyone’s reality looks and feels today. So far from what we call normal…
Great post and gorgeous photos!! Take care!
I’m so very glad you enjoyed it. These are definitely some strange and trying times – I’m glad you liked the photos too. Coming from you that is quite the compliment, since your photos are so magnificent!
Thank you so much for kind words 😊
Outstanding post. Getting over the hump that this is real and this is serious comes at different times for different people. Then, settling into the reality is another thing altogether. Thank you for putting to words what many are feeling — both the uncertainty and newness of it, as well as the hope of a brighter day. I applaud you 🙂
Thank you very much <3 Hope you are safe and well.
Stay safe and be well, MB 😷☮🙏
You too! <3
Nice words. The first photo is a knockout.
All the best from a more or less locked down London 🇬🇧.
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Best of luck in London, I’m so glad I got to visit there early this year before all this started! Hope to be back someday soon when all of this is over <3
Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos and words and reaching for those books and pen!! Take care!!
So glad that you enjoyed them 🙂 Stay well!
It’s perfectly rational to feel fear and be troubled when confined with something frightening seemingly waiting outside. Stay safe, M.B. Be well. We’ll get through this.
Yes we will! <3 Thanks for your encouraging thoughts
That was very well written. All the emotions – past, present and future. Take care, this will pass, hopefully soon.
Yes, hopefully soon <3
Years of medications required to deal with severe pulmonary disease have literally rendered my wife’s bones, capable of breaking through normal daily activities. The first of several compression fractures of the spine occurred in December. There have been several others, since that time.
Three days before the gubernatorial/Presidential disaster declaration for Massachusetts, Sheryl and packed up the dogs and headed south, to a little place we bought last year, on the west coast of Florida.
I think my honey can describe in painful detail, every crack and pothole over 1,500 miles of asphalt. All the best, MB. This too shall pass.
🙁 Prayers for you and your wife, who sounds very strong and very amazing. All the best for you both of you. <3 <3
Loved the poem, MB, and the tulip photo is gorgeous! Be well.
Thanks so much! You also! <3
Thank you, MB….a brilliant poem. Much appreciated.
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
So beautiful poem, you told in details, in a soft way, the crisis at this moment. Stay safe, my friend!
Thank you <3
A very sweet, and — in these dangerous times — meaningful piece!
Stay safe and prudent!
Thanks very much! You too
I so enjoyed reading this poem. The world of books, the journeys they take us on the people they introduce us to. Books are indeed an antidote to the CV!9 crisis. They put it into perspective. Thank you.
They sure do! They also provide escape when we need it, and I’m very grateful for all the books on my shelf these days 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem, stay well and safe <3
Thank you for sharing this encouragement – and the beautiful flower pics too! It is an overwhelming time, with so much sadness and uncertainty. However, there is the human spark you spoke of, as well as other ways of keeping in touch. Thanks again for this. 🙂
<3 <3 So glad you enjoyed it
This is an amazing perspective shared by all of us. We all feel the anxiety, we all feel the sadness but at the same time we all are very hopeful. Love that Flower photo too. Thanks for thisM.B. 💚
Yes, we are indeed all in this together! So glad you enjoyed the post, wishing you health, safety, and well-being!
Wishing you the same MB. Sending you 🧡
Great message, beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.
<3 Glad you liked it
Thank you for this, M.B.! I have these fears, too. We will all make it together.
Yes we will! <3
This is definitely a change of pace for you, unless you consider the metaphorical “war” against the virus.
Right? 🙂 Sometimes I can put my sword away and get in touch with the feels 🙂 Hope you are well and safe, I always enjoy your photos brightening up my reader!
Full of encouragement and so nice. We all will get throught this. Thank you MB!
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
A nice written reflection and images! All is so strange… especially during an election year. Crazy and scary!
This is such a great heartfelt post that describes how many of us feel. Your poem is very well crafted and is one to keep for the future generations to read! Stay safe and this too will pass.
Dwight
Thank you so much Dwight! I’m so glad you enjoyed it – I hope you are staying well, safe, and sane!
We are doing fine. I am gardening and painting and reading. I think I could almost get used to this.
Good – glad you’re doing well. I’m mostly reading and doing puzzles 🙂 And writing of course!
Sounds gooe!
Your poem was exactly what I needed. Uplifting words! Thank you!
<3 Many thanks, I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Your light always shines in the dark. 🙂
<3 Thank you!!
A beautifully written poem on what we are all going through. Stay well.
<3 I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you are well and safe too
Beautiful images of nature’s beauty, MB. Yes, it’s true, reading can take us traveling even though we’re having to stay safe at home. Stay well. 🤗
So glad you enjoyed it! And you too 🙂
great
Many thanks!
A “dose of courage” is what we all need as things just continue even more bizarrely than usual.
Agreed. It’s been one heck of a year so far.
Even introverts must be getting a bit lonely… 🙂
a poetic capture of the times. well expressed and rhyming!
Thanks so much – glad you enjoyed it!
surely you are welcomed. it was time well spent reading you
Thank you! <3
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