Which Clouds Have a Silver Lining?

Which clouds have a silver lining?

All of the them if we look

We are sure to find some examples

Even in the pages of a crisis book.

Since the shutdown began, if we observe

Everyone started cooking  at home

So out came all those dusty appliances we had never used

And finally we could justify why they were owned.

 

We got out our aprons and mixing bowls

And began to make fancy and unusual spreads

I don't think any of us could ever have imagined

Some of the fancier dishes we learned to prepare.

 

And because we couldn't go to restaurants or movies

Home is where we had to work and have fun

In the process, some home repairs and projects got started or finished

That might have been on the back shelf and forever remained undone.

 

And all that time we used to spend

Sitting on trains, buses, and in cars

We now spent reading, walking, exercising, crafting, creating, becoming better at different things

Just by using all those extra hours.

 

And what about all the gardening

Some of us went lock stock and barrel into

We transformed backyards and front yards into havens to enjoy

And became mini farmers of fruits, vegetables, and herbs too.

 

And then there was the fact

That because we all drove and gadded about so much less

We saved money on maintenance, insurance, and gas

And were spared of crowds and traffic stress.

 

A lot of other money was saved

By not going to stores where expensive dresses, bags and cosmetics awaited

And many of us looked in the mirror and said,  "thank god I don't need a regular haircut"

Remembering all the ones we had gone for and hated (thanks Krysia for this input).

 

It became so easy to find time to attend meetings and events

Because it was a question of just plugging into Zoom

We didn't have to dress or drive anywhere to show our face or participate

We just had to sit down in front of a computer in any old room.

 

Our kids and family got to see us more

And to appreciate all that we do

In turn we got to participate in their lives

In a way we couldn't construe.

 

So reader, which clouds have a silver lining?

I dare say, all of them if we look

I am sure each of us can create our own version

Of the silver linings playbook.