by Esther T. Hu

Let it come, as it will, and don’t

be afraid. God does not leave us

comfortless, so let evening come.

After a scholarly Roundtable with one’s

academic peers, the audience satisfied

with intricate details from Shakespeare, branches

from training and experience giving wonder

(it’s a tragedy because Romeo’s mother

dies of grief over her son), I hear voices

Fade as Wellesley confirms its first case. Voices

instruct all BU faculty to move one’s

classes online during Spring Break. My mother

would surely have been content and satisfied

with such speed, while my students justly wonder:

“Is America safe?” We are linked branches.

A birdsnest snugly nestled in the branches

of our rhododendron; excited voices

calling, “Mom! Come see!” express childlike wonder

and joy. Once outside, I lift the younger ones

up, up to see four hungry mouths satisfied

by the timely offerings of able mother

While Robin father calls loudly to mother

a full-throated voice among maple branches,

leaving my children partially satisfied

with the likely story that their bird voices

debate if fresh worms suffice for little ones?

This Spring morning fills hearts with blessèd wonder

A bless’d Hope in a bleak land. Joyful wonder

and reminder: “The Earth that’s nature’s mother

is her tomb; /…her burying grave… is her womb.” Ones’

children, nevertheless, tender young branches

from the Nation’s trunk, now hear angry voices

justly lament: How can we be satisfied

While 82,389 lives have “satisfied”

the enemy virus by June? We wonder

when will our American expert voices

unite to fight? We simply pray as Mother

would: “May unity join government branches.”

The Holy Ghost broods over His chosen ones.

May your souls be satisfied. As a mother

comforts her child, My wonder-full Love branches

forth; bright wings still My dear ones’ hearts and voices.

Composed during the Covid-19 Pandemic, 2020

Prof. Esther T. Hu

Lecturer, College of Arts and Sciences Writing Program
Fellow, International History Institute
Affiliated Faculty, Center for the Study of Asia, Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University
ethu@bu.edu