Our normally busy street has been quiet
these days of sequestering.
But the other day traffic was backed up at the corner
with lots of honking. I went to investigate.
It was a teachers’ parade, crossing our road,
threading through the neighborhoods of our town,
everybody distanced and in their own cars—
recognizing them for Teacher Appreciation Week.
I was moved, not just by the applauding,
not just the support for teachers
(who, like nurses, are as heroic as soldiers)
but this wonderful gift: that traffic stopped.
Even sequestered we can busy ourselves and forget
to stop.
When we stop and wait for others
in the gap we enlarge ourselves.
When the merely important stops for what is beautiful,
when we let a little sabbath interrupt our busyness
the holy enters in the empty spaces.
Stop, and let the Holy breathe in you.
Who knows? In the pause, angels may parade
the neighborhoods of your soul.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
May 7, 2020