New Poems in Cherry Tree and Split Rock Review, Early Spring Flowers, Missing AWP and the Coronovirus

Early Plum Blossoms

Early Spring Flowers and New Poems in Cherry Tree and Split Rock Review

It seems in times of crisis I want to spend more time in nature. This last week we had early cherry and plum trees starting to flower, and I spent a lot of time taking pictures of them. Plum blossoms in particular have a strong, beautiful scent, especially in a grove of trees, which along with a little more sunlight, increases your feelings of well-being no matter what the headlines.

A big thank you to both Cherry Tree and Split Rock Review, which both featured new poems by me in their latest issues. That was a pick-me-up during a stressful week of doctor appointments (where I found out even if I had Coronavirus they did not have enough test kits on hand, so…good luck, I guess!) and a dramatic Coronavirus uptick in our region.

Here are my poems “The Wildness” and “Self-Portrait as Seismologist” as well as a picture of Sylvia posting with the new issue of Cherry Tree and tulips:

More Spring Blossoming:

Split Rock Review published a more wintry poem, “Winter Solstice in Seattle:”

Missing AWP and Good Resources on the Coronavirus

Red-winged Blackbird

Yes, I’ll be missing AWP this year. I’m supposed to get an emergency root canal tomorrow instead of flying into Texas. Much less glamorous. But AWP kind of has a pall over it this year, especially as it is happening just as more confirmed cases of COVID-19 are appearing all over the US. Hey, let’s all get together in one big room right as a highly communicable virus is hitting. Yikes! I have a genetic immune deficiency AND MS, so this is probably a more frightening prospect for me than most people. That estimated 2 percent death rate is higher for people with other health conditions, and much higher for the elderly – up to 15 percent.

We had the first US death from Coronavirus here yesterday, at a hospital about a mile from my house, and a small breakout (fifty people, both caregivers and patients) has happened in a long-term care home in Kirkland (and Kirkland and Redmond firefighters are in quarantine after reto an emergency there). There is a lot of uncertainty right now – the doctors and systems here don’t have enough test kits or the capacity to test everyone, we don’t have enough masks even for medical personnel due to poor government planning, and we’re showing more community-acquired illness (two high school kids at opposite ends of town just this week). In my local neighborhood stores, there’s been some panic-buying – shelves of masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, even in some places bottled water and toilet paper have all been cleaned out. My husband has been running most of the errands to keep me out of crowds, so I’m getting my reports second-hand. Going back to spending time outside, which can really help you not feel too house-bound when you’re mostly confined in your home, is really important. Hence my red-winged blackbird picture (photographed down the street from my house).

Starting to feel like I have more in common with the girl on my last book cover…

Here are some good resources that I found this week to help you all with Coronavirus. Remember I have a biology degree and I had a specific interest in virology, so I’m not just a poet – I’m a poet who knows too much about viruses! There’s a lot of panic, anxiety, and misinformation out there (this is not a hoax – and definitely do NOT drink bleach!). Our government is not adequately prepared – we don’t have enough testing kits (we have dramatically undertested over the last six weeks as the virus has spread, and we still won’t have enough tests for two more weeks) or masks for medical personnel, or respirators for those who go into respiratory distress. We can’t control a selfish, irresponsible government who doesn’t act in the best interest of its people (except by voting them out eventually) or a greed-filled, short-sighted pharma/medical complex (our supply chain is going to be impacted because we no longer make the drugs we need – nor their main ingredients – they’ve outsourced almost everything to China, and they didn’t order more masks/respirators when they were told to several years ago to prepare for a crisis because “it was too expensive”) but we can control our own actions – choosing to stay home when sick, washing hands more frequently, maybe staying away from crowds when possible – and we can choose to be kind to ourselves and our neighbors. Drink more fluids, get more sleep. Here’s more information:

From Australian virologists who have practical advice for “If you’re about to be in a pandemic”

A great article on a reasonable response to Coronavirus – and why being prepared – and preparing to help others – is key to containing a pandemic.

NPR’s tips on how to prevent and prepare for the novel Coronavirus

Don’t panic, and always carry a clean towel – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

More updates to come. I am wishing you all a safe, happy, and healthy week. Spend some time outdoors with trees, and indoors with some poetry. Stay well.