What Would Mr. Rogers Do?

When the unthinkable becomes our everyday thought, when cruelty is applauded and kindness mocked, when a little sniffle of wrongdoing explodes into an epidemic of uncommon indecency, where can we turn for a little teaspoon of solace? Who will remind us that we are gifted with life so we can learn to love and laugh and light the way for each other? 

 

This poem by Emilie Lygren offers the spoonful of sugar that helps the healing medicine go down. With just a slight taste of bitterness that we have allowed ourselves to forget what really matters. Come take off your shoes and put your feet in the water where Mr. Rogers can wash them:

 

“Mr. Rogers, what would you say to us now?

I miss your soft voice and slow smile.

 

Somehow you would remind us of what it means to share a neighborhood—

How our breath travels farther than we think,

but so can our care. 

 

You would’ve made the puppets of tiny cloth masks,

Had them ask all the questions children need to ask like, 

‘Why?’ and ‘How Long?’ and “Can’t we…?’

Let Daniel Tiger feel sad and antsy, itchy under the ear

  straps.

 

You would have explained it all patiently and thruthfully:

   ‘ No, we don’t know how long.’

    ‘ Yes, it’s okay to feel afraid.’ 

    ‘ This is how we care for everyone right now.’

 

Maybe the adults would have listened, too.”