A Poem Can Be a PSA

Greetings!
by Amy LV

Revised on March 11, 2020 for air hugs instead of elbow bumps.

(We sneeze into our elbows.)

Recording Not Yet Revised

Students - I am lucky to spend time in schools, and yesterday I had the chance to talk with some wise teachers talking about the importance of education around COVID-19 and about keeping each other healthy when sickness is in the air. My mom volunteers in classrooms, and one of the teachers she works with has taught her students to make finger hearts to say hello and goodbye each day. I have been reading articles about ways to greet each other too, because with COVID-19 here, it is important to be responsible and to take care of each other.

Today's poem is a public service announcement (PSA), a poem message to share important information. I am looking for new ways to greet people, and I thought you might be too.

You may have seen some scary pictures and news stories about COVID-19. And there are some pieces of writing out there that are not true at all. This is a time to listen to scientists and to trust their words. Young people usually do not get very sick with this virus, but we need to think of older people and people whose immune systems are not strong. By not touching each other now, we keep other people safe, even if we are young and protected. Some things we do for the community, even if we would prefer to do something else. So while I would like to shake your hand through the screen here today, instead I place my hand on my heart and give you a deep nod.

We can write about what is happening in the world. When we see something that feels like a need....we can add a few words or a bit of art or music to help make sense of things. We can connect with syllables and sentences. 

Rebecca is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup at Sloth Reads. Visit her blog to read two of her own water-inspired poems written during Laura Shovan's Daily Poem Project last month. We invite everybody to join in each Friday as we share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship. Check out my left sidebar to learn where to find this poetry goodness each week of the year.

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