I never posted this poem last year, which is why I'm sharing it during National Poetry Month. Before 2020, there was never a year where my home church did not host its annual Pie & Ice Cream Social. I've been creating an annual poem for over a decade, and it didn't feel right not creating a poem simply because the pandemic prevented Trondhjem from having its annual Social. With no Social going on, I created an UN-Social poem instead. Enjoy!
Trondhjem’s Pie & Ice Cream UN-Social 2020
Where normally our Social would’ve been a go,
In this year of COVID, we’re automatically no-shows.
Like so many the world over, our plans ground to a halt.
Each cancelled event was like rubbing wounds with more salt.
No Social meant zero mouthwatering baked goods to buy.
No lefse, kolaches or doughnuts, so release a sad sigh.
No Social meant no Silent Auction upstairs.
No bidding war to jump into as you gave gleeful glares.
No Social meant a year off from raffling a quilt.
We felt the loss of not seeing what our neighbors baked,
made and built.
No Social meant a year of Linda’s sloppy joes gone by
And an empty counter showcasing nary a pie.
I truly hope that next year will be so much better
And that, right now, we’re doing our part, following things
to the letter.
The social distancing, the masks; we’re tired of it all.
Stay healthy. Stay safe, and I hope our Social’s
back next fall!
--LK
11/2020
