after social distancing; hand in hand – two poems by Joachim Matschoss

some time ago butterflies stayed folded
we wished for it to rain
so that our tears could hide more easily
sitting opposite in safe distance
uncertainty was the norm
and time was heavy
we were like stones –

now a bee tickles a rose
makes it gush and tremble
I will pick it later for your hair
grasshoppers click across a field
we quietly approach
and talk about springtime
walking arm in arm
grateful for the gift
of closeness

hand in hand

when the masked days
have been folded away
into the book of the past
come step into my
lonely, little world
and we’ll say farewell to social distance
and hand in hand
we will run through the puddles
that yesterday’s rain has left
we’ll fly through the clouds
and swim in the sea
we’ll sing and dance
and whistle and sway
we’ll kiss and be free
free to do
free just to be