Things I’ve Learned During the Pandemic

I can do hard things.

This message is not finding anyone well,
We all just show that differently.

Always take a phone charger
With you to the hospital.

Children are not meant
To be raised
Without the village.

When everything else
Is stripped away,
Love will remain.

I can do hard things.

And to wear red lipstick
For myself
And myself only,

Which I always should have done –
But it took a year behind a mask
For me to realize that before
I was always waiting
For someone else
To validate my smile.

The only thing I see
When I think about after
Is hugs
And red lipstick
On long-missed cheeks.

We can do hard things.