Finding a Reason to Smile in Spite of Distancing in Spring 2020 

by Virginia Riedman-Dangler


Not just people, with or without masks, cross away
from each other— even the white, wild daisies
that dress the ground in the park
are apart from each other
as are the bare tree branches reaching
for the sun.

As I walk I notice a robin on the dirt path
and he passes to the other side, 
but his song greets me— can you hear it?

Even when you too are far away, 

we too can continue our singing. 


* * * * *

Virginia (Ginny) Riedman-Dangler lives in Rochester, NY with her husband Jim. She is a retired elementary school teacher, mental health therapist and school counselor. Her poetry has appeared in The Mason Street Review, an on-line publication through the Newark Public Library and in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Ginny's poetic inspiration draws upon nature, personal life experience and spiritual themes, with a focus on gratitude and hope. 

Ginny is currently compiling her poetry into her first chap book.