I touch the computer screen,
give you a virtual hug,
shrinking the miles with smiles.
Remember when I’d turn up the music
and we’d dance,
your child’s feet on mine?
No close dancing now.
I’m condemned
to dance alone
with too much space between.
Kim M. Russell, 6th March 2020
My response to dVerse Poets Pub Quadrille: What’s neither closed nor cancelled? Poetry
De is hosting the Quadrille this Monday and the word is ‘close’.
writing in north norfolk 
I can only imagine the distancing… may it be over soon so you can be close to your grand-daughter again. I wonder how much longer it will last.
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Thanks Bjorn – although Lucas was a boy last time I changed his nappy!
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🙂 Oh I forgot it was a boy… many excuses
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No problem!
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Oh, Kim. This makes my heart hurt. But this line is so hopeful, and so important:
“shrinking the miles with smiles”
Thankful for technology, in these strange times.
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Definitely, De, I’d be lost without my twice daily face messaging.
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Nice line: “shrinking the miles with smiles.”
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Thanks Frank!
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We don’t mind the isolation. Like it in fact. But two of mine are isolated, alone in their small rooms, and a long way away. I’m beginning to feel that the dance has gone on long enough.
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After three weeks, I’m getting used to the isolation and enjoying the peace and quiet. I’ve also noticed less spam in my email. But I do miss my voluntary work, which was my only contact even before the lockdown.
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It’s always very quiet here, but at the moment it’s silent except for the birds and wildlife. Even on Sunday no one, but no one walked past on the lane, and it was a beautiful hot afternoon.
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Virtual hugs, virtual love–better than snail mail or texting, but we need to get over this hump and get some skin in the game.
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Yes, I miss skin.
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I know you must be missing your grandson, and you can’t really explain to him either.
I hope this is all over before too long.
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Me too, Merril.
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Oh but how sweet will be the reunion!
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It will!
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Glad you are staying in touch via video for now.
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Thanks Lisa.
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What a bittersweet post, Kim. This distancing has changed our lives in so many ways and no matter who you speak to, far and wide, it’s affecting us all. I haven’t seen (or touched) my granddaughters in weeks now…it’s hard.
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Thank you, Gayle. It is hard, and this pandemic spread so quickly, we didn’t have the chance to think carefully about the practicalities – or lack of them.
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I think this speaks to how so many feel. This is the danger of this disease in rushing back into each other’s arms we can become something we would never wish to be.
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Holding back is so hard but necessary. I think I can wait a bit longer.
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We all are learning a bit more about waiting patiently.
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It’s taken a while, but we’re starting to appreciate the safety of our homes.
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I agree. There are things that I am anxious to get through and then there are other parts of this quarantine thing which I hope to keep when we walk back into the “normal”.
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So sweet! Such a charming piece. I love “shrinking the miles with smiles.” Nicely done!
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Thank you!
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These words “to dance alone
with too much space between” seem to describe my own experience right now. Beautifully written.
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Thank you, Victoria.
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I feel sad that I have not taken cared of my grandson for weeks now. But virtual hugs and kisses are welcome certainly.
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My son-in-law is working from home now, so Ellen has seemed more relaxed on our video chats. I feel deeply for people who live on their own.
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I think we all feel that way about the people we want to see. Virtual will have to do. (K)
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Let’s hope it’s over soon, Kerfe.
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I miss human contact but, I will have to settle for Skype and face time.
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Me too. 😦
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Nicely done.
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Thank you!
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We can be grateful for tecnology more so now.
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Yes, for all the problems, it’s the only thing that connects some people. I so look forward to my daily video chats with my daughter and grandson.
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Your words spoke to and for so many.
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Thank you!
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Beautiful and sad….and so true
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Thank you, Viv.
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😊
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My heart goes to all of the people that can’t be with family openly like it used to be.
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Hard times. Lets hope it’s over very soon.
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Sweet poem. May this soon be over for all of us and we can close the gap and grab some warm skin and bur our faces in a loved ones neck.
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Thank you, Toni. This is a hard time for everyone. There are going to be a hell of a lot of hugs once it’s over!
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It’s so hard. I guess we should be grateful for technology, but it’s not quite the same, is it? I love the central image of dancing, Kim.
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Thank you, Sarah!
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A sweet poem Kim. It’s not easy being apart and I’m so grateful for the technology we have today where we can see each other, touch the screen. Stay safe and well xxx
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Thank you, Xenia. I hope you’re keeping well and still enjoying walks with Eivor and Pearl. xxx
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Thank you Kim, we’re glad we can still walk them and get the exercise we need 💜
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Sending you lots of virtual hugs Kim. what a touching and sweet poem.
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Thank you, Linda.
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May the world heel soon!
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I mean heal…auto correct…
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Oh this is so sad. Grandparents unable to be with their grandkids other than on a computer or phone screen. Yes….so many of us in that situation. What a surreal world we live in. May we be closer to our loved ones soon!
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I hope so, Lill!
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The virtual cannot replace the real. How well you capture!
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Thank you, Frank!
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Thank you for the re-blog!
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