this time, any time – poem by Jenna Plewes

In a fortnight's time, I should be getting ready to head off for the Hebrides to lead the first of two weeks of annual retreats, Islands of the Heart, on the sacred Isle of Iona. I'm heartbroken to have to cancel these.

One of our would-have-been participants, on the first, 'Core', group, Jenna, sent me this poem. I reproduce it here with her permission and my thanks to her.


Love will be our bedrock

We are separate, but we all stand
on the same patient, greening earth.

All around us life is busy, a song thrush
practises its three small phrases, a crow

balances on the crown of a Monterey pine,
rasps its black throat, a buzzard circles.

Hedges are white with blackthorn blossom,
celandine brighten the lanes, lambs grow strong.

The city sounds are muffled, streets deserted.
Fingers send messages, smile greets smile on screen.

Fear prowls the tunnels of our dreams,
casts giant shadows on the bedroom walls,

but morning comes, we watch another sunrise
lighten the day, make a list of friends to ring.

Jenna Plewes