Did the World Stop Today

Did the world stop today Was it set to pause A moment frozen in time A warning that we have spun to fast Out our windows we see the fruits of solitude I forgot that I missed the rose grow The dogwood bloom The bee pollinate I forgot what it was like to hear nothing Did the world stop today Has this gift of time been received For so long we've struggled to live together Only to find that together we must live Isolation has united these vast nations We have set the world to pause So that once again we might play Did the world stop today Have our empty streets And quite cafes Unburdened our lives Are these frozen zones Cold moments in cozy reflection When did we forget to stop for the singing bird When did we forget to stop for the gentle breeze When did the promise of spring And all its rebirth elude our senses Did the world stop today To remind us how small we are That each little connection Is needed to grow, to prosper, to love Did the world wink with wise eye Has it whispered in our ears Did we feel its absent touch Did the world stop today And quarantine us in meditation Did we plant or create or reach out to love Did we promise or forgive or nuture Has the calm of an iced capped mountain Or the endless empty asphalt Brought us to peace Did this digital isolation That we worked so hard to achieve Really bring us the comfort that we desired When the world returns to play And promises another day Will we remember That the rivers flow That the wild flowers bloom That crops are harvested That hunger is vast That sympathy is free That empathy is not a burden That the living have a will That we all play a part On this vast universe That each life saved now Has worth in all our tomorrows Did the world stop for you today?