COVID Puzzle

My Dear Friend,

What are you puzzling over in your life?

Most evenings, Bob and I work on a puzzle.
One end of dining table,
Covered with puzzle pieces.

We read aloud during puzzle time.
Taking turns as reader.
It's a together-time we enjoy.

Hard part sometimes:
Finding book we both want
Out loud during puzzle time.

A couple of puzzles ago,
Having put in last piece,
Now examining picture created,
Bob said, "Hmmm, look at that design!”

“I didn't see all that color
With only some of pieces in place.
How different it looks now,
Than when we were struggling to find right pieces."

Absolutely right!

I thought about how it parallels life,
Perhaps especially now.

I can't see the total picture.
Some of the pieces
Look dark.
Too dark and ugly to want them
As part of my picture.

Some don't seem to have a slot
In picture taking shape.

I just need to keep
Putting in the pieces.

Showing up, putting in pieces,
Every day.
Pattern will emerge.
Maybe one I didn't expect.

Those dark pieces,
Fitting in their slot?
Unanticipated richness
In this pattern.

Who knew this was the puzzle
I was working on during this time?

Now we have dumped
Another puzzle on our table.
I'll keep at it,
"One-Piece-at-a-Time.”

Sending Hugs and Patience,
Lin