The Call of the Lonely

By William Laferriere

No matter the stage, or place on the continuum

from the start of the lockdown

we knew the pandemic to be

a physiological and psychological

threat to our individual health

and potentially render us into

that proverbial rabbit hole

Many report symptoms

of anxiety or depression

the increase fairly telling

depression everywhere on the rise

so to is the scramble to find solutions

that may provide relief

So we ask

are you lonely tonight

your stars out of alignment

do you realize

there is someone that you can turn to

who can identify with

and understand what you

are going through

and extend a helping hand

to alleviate the depths

of despair and desolation

And in turn perhaps you too

can provide a measure of relief

to someone else

conceivably a less fortunate soul

they need not be friend

or acquaintance, or friend to a friend

maybe just a stranger

traveling alone through

the darkness

It doesn’t require

an effort greater than

what you think

you can provide

by simply

extending a hand

a voice

a smile

a meal

a ride

If it’s in you please consider answering the call