Kate O'Gorman

Himatangi, New Zealand

t was written 28th April 2020 by Kate O'Gorman. Kate is originally from Cardiff, Wales but now resides in Himatangi, New Zealand where she is an English and Drama teacher in a school in nearby Palmerston-North. Kate is currently enjoying a resurgence in her writing.

Poem written 28th April 2020

The New Normal

Go slow, mother bear.

Stop. Breath.

Your enforced hibernation has made you still.

And still, you can’t quite acquiesce

to this new normal.

You are Ursa Major.

To dash, to drive, to press, to stress

is your default setting.

Rise in the hurly burly of first light,

chase your cubs out of bed,

Feed-hustle-teeth-bustle

careering for your career

at breakneck breathless speed

nudging your young through the den.

Exit pursued by a bear.

Go slow, mother bear.

Stop. Breath.

Your enforced vegetation has made you pause.

And yet, can you now acquiesce

to this new normal?

You are Ursa Minor.

To relieve, to repose, to decompress, to destress

is your new program.

Languish in the warmth of the dawn.

Savour your babes in their slumber.

Read-bake-bread-make

Decelerating for the world.

A measured moment in time,

Nuzzling your nippers in love.

You bear the power to embrace your captivity.