Meditations On The Plague

My friend Nina just shared a poem that her mother, Elaine, wrote, and I wanted to share it with you.

Born in 1930, Elaine (Hartgogian) Anderson, worked with Chuck Williams for close to 20 years as his assistant at the Williams Sonoma corporate office in San Francisco.  According to Elaine, and those who knew Chuck, he was a merchant with impeccably good taste. Elaine and Chuck became lifelong friends. 

Elaine turns 90 later this year on October 18.

MEDITATIONS ON THE PLAGUE 

As I sit here in my quiet room
And do my best to dispel all gloom
I cheer myself with tender dreams
Of places traveled and wonders seen. 

I long to travel there once more
To Parthenon’s hill and Italy’s shore,
To grand La Scala and the river Seine,
How glad I will be to see them again. 

And closer to home and grandest of all,
The mighty Yosemite with its brilliant fall.
And much as my mind allows me to roam
I’m grateful for shelter and safety at home.

This too will pass I tell myself
As I take one more book from off the shelf.
One fine day on Garda’s lake
I’ll swim, drink wine, new memories make.
And then at twilight enjoy Puccini
While sipping my favorite Prosecco Bellini.

Ah well, it’s good to fantasize,
Though wise men may say it’s a bit unwise.
But why be bound to the daily real
When moments of joy one can blithely steal? 

So let’s dream our dreams and follow our star
And hope that the day is not too far,
When once more I’ll see Seville’s tower
And wander the hills and caress each flower.

And so dear friends be strong ’til then
For surely we will meet again.

-- Elaine H. Anderson
5-20-20

Stay well and strong, friends.

Joanne