Jennifer Fenn Poet Pantoum

My Birthday During Covid

MY BIRTHDAY DURING COVID

The laughter’s the same
my forty-fifth year,
with a softer refrain
for the birthday song.

My forty-fifth year,
my coworkers gather
for the birthday song,
ten-person skeleton crew.

My coworkers gather
six feet apart,
ten-person skeleton crew
extending beams of friendship.

Six feet apart,
their eyes shine
extending beams of friendship
across the social distance.

Their eyes shine
as their song floats
across the social distance
through sun-filled windows.

As their song floats,
I remember this refrain
through sun-filled windows
by friends for birthdays past.

I remember this refrain,
missing the warmth of hugs
by friends for birthdays past
like ribbons on gifts.

Missing the warmth of hugs,
I still bask in gazes and smiles
like ribbons on gifts.
The smaller chorus is clearer!

I still bask in gazes and smiles.
With a softer refrain,
the smaller chorus is clearer.
The laughter’s the same.

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James Marshall Goff August 28, 2021 at 10:55 PM Plaintive, authentic, sweet! Jennifer Fenn August 29, 2021 at 11:21 AM Thank you James, for your encouragement!

Paula Goldsmith June 16, 2021 at 1:19 PM A wonderful write. I fully understand. I had to cancel mine. I had worked on it for 2 years. Heartbreaking. Have a blessed day.............. Jennifer Fenn June 16, 2021 at 3:36 PM Celebrate double this year! You deserve it my friend! Thank you for stopping by. Glad you like it.

Brandy Nicole March 4, 2021 at 7:53 PM Covid keep us 6 feet apart, but moments and memories stay close to the heart. Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday- beyond everything that has been going on. Happy Belated Birthday, Jennifer. My best to you. :) Hugs, Brandy Jennifer Fenn March 5, 2021 at 5:15 PM Oh thank you Brandy! Glad you stopped by. Hugs to you too, Jennifer

Lindsay Laurie February 19, 2021 at 3:51 PM Hello Jennifer … it certainly has been an upside down year for us all and our annual expectations need more thought this year - I read you had a fine day Jennifer - Lindsay Jennifer Fenn February 19, 2021 at 9:48 PM Hiya Lindsay! Thank you for stopping by. Yes, I had a good time with my coworkers and with other friends at a later date. I thought I would be depressed but I wasn’t.

Jan Allison December 14, 2020 at 3:40 PM Hope you had a great day, got to say it has been a most surreal year, lets hope 2021 brings a happy and healthier year:-) hugs Jan xx Jennifer Fenn December 14, 2020 at 9:44 PM Yes, I did. I thought I would be really sad but with the calls, cards, texts and spaghetti dinner with my mom, I wasn’t sad after all. Then my coworkers had this party for me, and later in November before the 2nd virus wave hit, I celebrated with four friends for tea.

Sara Kendrick December 10, 2020 at 4:51 AM This year took the cake didn't it. I am sorry that you did not get to really enjoy your birthday but next year will be even more precious. My father lived during the time of the 1918/1919 flu. He remembered it until the day he died. He lived to be 97 lacking 2 weeks and he was 18 when the flu came. He said whole families would be down at one time and nearly every home had at least one death but his family did not have it. God blessed them. They would go around to neighbors' homes each day. SK Jennifer Fenn December 10, 2020 at 12:50 PM They sound like they were wonderful people. Jennifer Fenn December 10, 2020 at 12:49 PM Yes, God sure did bless them during that horrible time. Sara Kendrick December 10, 2020 at 4:52 AM continuing ...to check on all the neighbors and see if they needed help doing chores like drawing water, feeding the animals, getting in wood and water, etc. Sara