Perhaps Wiser

No, I don’t approve of his behavior

But if I close my eyes and just listen to his speech, that’s different

No, I don’t like her

But if I sit quietly when I hear her sing, her voice is intoxicating

No, I didn’t like how he said it, but

When I read it, however, the words made sense

No, I never eat that

Still when it was served and I tasted it, it was really good

No, I would never travel there

Yesterday I learned that is where ........... is, and I would like to see that

No, I am afraid to try.

But when I close my eyes and dream, I pretend I am doing it.

As we endure, resent and feel increasingly stressed during these endless days, hours, and lonely moments mandated by isolation and/or quarantine, perhaps it might be prudent to not worry about cleaning out closets, desk drawers or computer files.

There may be an alternative way to utilize this gift of time.

Possibly, it could also be a golden opportunity to relook at some of the less apparent prejudices, resentments and unsubstantiated reactions lingering in our psyche.

Because of the physical and social limitations of the past 25 plus days, I certainly have begun to review with clarity some of the emotional reactions I have long held in place.

I believe I will try to be a fair judge now of anything with peppermint,

and I have decided to reread Philip Roth (not that he needs another reader).

I will ask Alexa to play Barbara Streisand and just listen to the luxury of her voice.

And if I emerge intact when the world is once again sane, I will shop in a mall.

And perhaps when this ends, because it will, I will be kinder if not wiser..