We go to that house on different days
My daughter and I keeping our distance
Leaving things for each other safely exchanging
Tokens of our affection staying connected.
I haven’t seen her in the longest time
And it will be some time more before I do
But we keep in touch all the same
Needing to know we are each all right.
In those rooms I hear her voice from before
I see her smile coming through the door
Memories of a happy time living together
When she was preparing to go out on her own.
Now the pandemic brings a weekly visit home
Doing her laundry and enjoying the backyard deck
Getting away from the urban crush of people
Living in view of Manhattan across the Hudson.
And we go to our house every nine or ten days
Traveling back from our May sojourn upstate
Exploring the Hudson Valley and Catskills
Where we wait out the worst of the first wave.
We go to water the plants and take in the mail
And see the light coming through the windows
And see the garden in spring flowering
And imagine living here again next month.
As the days go by getting used to a new routine
Feeling healthy enough not thinking I'm sick
I'm ready to let go of my worries and enjoy
Being where we can be by ourselves outdoors.
