Janna Frith

Photo by Akshay Paatil on Unsplash Can we hear them? Cry after cry Soul weary Demanding justice As blood on our white hands drips again into the ground As air is cut off and pleas go ignored Last gasp until silence A life gone, deemed worthless Hearts break Anger rises Voices cry …They just want to live. Can we see them? Choosing clothes Choosing settings Choosing activities Choosing words carefully Choosing housing Choosing healthcare selectively …They just want to live. Can we hear them? Teaching their young black kids Words and posture of respect Doing all they can to help their children survive Bird watching Jogging Neighbours Shopping Sleeping Partying Coffee shops Traffic stops …They just want to live. Can we see them? Denied promotions Denied fair trials Denied equal access Denied a voice Denied justice Denied privilege Denied trust Denied worth Denied the freedom to live without fear …They just want to live. Can we listen? Can we hear? Can we learn? Can we acknowledge the re

Every year, after a long winter, we watch in awe as spring arrives, and with it comes an inner sigh of relief and a breath of fresh hope. What can spring teach us about hope? Winter is not my favourite. I just want to hibernate warmly until warmer breezes blow, huddled in my hoodie with strong black coffee in hand. Some of us spend the winter waiting for spring. And this year, we have needed the hope of spring more than ever . We’re all a little weary hearing about the coronavirus pandemic, yet it is hard to ignore something that has invaded all our lives, turning them upside down. At the easiest end of things, we are missing our extended families and friends while adjusting to having our family home 24-7. We're anxious getting groceries, missing school and celebrations, and left wondering if we’re going to get the summer vacation we’ve been anticipating. On the other end of the spectrum, dear ones are devastated by financial and health crises as a direct result of this pandemic. J