Timeless.

History repeats itself. Came across this poem written in 1869, reprinted during 1919 Pandemic.

This is Timeless....

It was written in 1869 by Kathleen O’Mara:

And people stayed at home
And read books
And listened
And they rested
And did exercises
And made art and played
And learned new ways of being
And stopped and listened
More deeply
Someone meditated, someone prayed
Someone met their shadow
And people began to think differently
And people healed.
And in the absence of people who
Lived in ignorant ways
Dangerous, meaningless and heartless,
The earth also began to heal
And when the danger ended and
People found themselves
They grieved for the dead
And made new choices
And dreamed of new visions
And created new ways of living
And completely healed the earth
Just as they were healed.

Reprinted during Spanish flu
Pandemic, 1919
Photo taken during Spanish flu

Comments

  • Wikipedia explains the name "Spanish Flu" was because the countries at war during WW1 minimised their reporting, so neutral Spain seemed disproportionaely high.
    It didn't actually originate there.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

    It also suggests that it had the worst impact on those with the ****strongest**** immune systems ; because it triggered an overreaction. This made it worse for young adults.

    Covid-19 is worse for the elderly, which may be why there is so much disregard for the social distancing rules. If instead people were more directly affected by the consequences of their actions, they might be more compliant.

  • edited April 2020

    1889-1890 (when the poem was written) was another deadly flu pandemic that killed around a million people. I wonder if the two ladies in the photo survived. I hope so.

  • @UKGuy
    I doubt they survived.

    One looks to be carrying a takeaway in a white plastic bag, and some restaurants are a bit dodgy on the hygiene front. πŸ˜€

  • That's a purse ...

  • Also lovely poem @MissAdventurous

    @UKGuy I hope they survived as well and lived long lives 😊

  • Takeaway....lol. Did restaurants even offer carry out then? : )

  • <3 it- thank you for sharing- Miss Adventurous!

  • I wonder if anyone can figure out where that photo was taken? Those ironwork railings, the patterned sidewalk and that pillar in the background all must be good clues. They look to be well-to-do ladies so maybe it was an upscale part of town.

  • [Deleted User]ImajenMoon (deleted user)

    @MissAdventurous ~Beautiful. Needed. Such a clear reminder that when we don't learn from the past, we set ourselves up to repeat it..

    "And learned new ways of being
    And stopped and listened
    More deeply
    Someone meditated, someone prayed
    Someone met their shadow
    And people began to think differently
    And people healed.
    And in the absence of people who
    Lived in ignorant ways
    Dangerous, meaningless and heartless,
    The earth also began to heal"

    Let's hope.

    Imajen

  • Thank you @ImajenMoon πŸ’œ
    So welcome @syrene @Sashamcgee
    @AceCuddlerMike most likely not lol

    Important to remember history. πŸ™ƒ

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