I’m a writer, a poet! So what do I do when stressed out? WRITE POETRY! Poetry is the way I have processed life—no different during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the first in a series of poems I’ve written! What a long month! Since we got back from Spain a month ago, I’ve processed my fear and anxiety about the possibility of getting the coronavirus through words, thoughts and poems.
Here’s a poem I wrote a couple days ago, and I will be sharing more in the next couple days.

By: Larada Horner-Miller April 7, 2020 Thirty-one days Since we left Coronavirus-stricken Madrid And Spain We left on March 8th; It exploded there the 9th. Thirty-one days of Holding my breath Self-examination By the minute Self-diagnosis Daily Self-screening Repeatedly Washing hands washing hands washing hands! A throat tickle Sore throat Diarrhea Cough Is it the virus? Dread and anxiety gripped me Two weeks of Self-quarantine Desperate not to share If I had it. Dances cancelled CALLERLAB cancelled Life cancelled! After two weeks A sigh Maybe we made it Yet. . . Incubation period 2 — 14 days maybe 27 Oh, my God! Shelter-in-place Nothing new No new symptoms After two weeks, Out of the house for the first time For a prescription and groceries Panic and fear People six-feet apart at the drug store Safe yet foreign People too close to me In the grocery store Claustrophobic Malted Easter Eggs lured me in Impulse buying No, it’s Easter time I always buy them at Easter Normal routine Two bags I wolfed down one whole bag immediately And gained three pounds! Remedy to grocery shopping Senior time slot Early in the morning Safer Respectful of distance Less people Still washing hands disinfecting the bags the Jeep the steering wheel the knobs EVERTYTHING! Watching my husband, Lin, closely Fear gripped my heart Both of us have had health issues the last couple years Three weeks gone Another sigh of relief Yet in the back of my mind And heart Will it happen? Will it sneak up and attack when I least expect it? Tomorrow I will breathe Celebrate Relax Praise God! But today, I am still apprehensive Not sure Wondering? God protect us!

We live in uncertain times, staying home when I’m used to being with others, dancing, traveling and hugging. I haven’t been able to visit our ranch in southeastern Colorado and be rejuvenated by open prairies, a magnificent evening sunset silhouetting Saddlerock or an evening ride around our ranch with my brother looking for wildlife and sharing favorite memories!
I’m an extrovert, so I need you and your hugs! However, we can cope with this insanity—we just have to find the best way that works for our individual personalities!
I hope my words comfort your heart—take them as a virtual hug! Let me know how you have felt during this sad time! And there will be more!
~Visit my web site for all the information you need about me and my books: https://www.laradasbooks.com
~Whitey & Gladys Puerling were playful friends of Flippo’s who created a Fan Club. I thought it would be fun to recreate this group. Would you like to join the Marshall Flippo Fan Club Facebook page? Read interesting posts about Flippo’s life. https://www.facebook.com/groups/328325644382769/
~ I HAVE 232 PRE-ORDERS FOR THE MARSHALL FLIPPO BIOGRAPHY! It will be published by in APRIL! You, too, can pre-order this amazing story! You can select which paper format or e-book format you would like. Go here to order the version you want. Monthly SWAG Giveaways! https://goo.gl/forms/4D4hwbHdme1fvJc42