In a content series curated by Rose Forde, contributors from issue 26 reflect on the new normal. Here, photographer Justin French shares his thoughts on self-imposed exile
a time for compassion, when time lost increases loss
too many words, too many channels, too many rules, too many choices
murky history, muddy future
all the reasons to smile, every reason to cry
so many colours the world has now, the sudden stasis brought into focus
silence where there was chaos, devastation where there was comfort
terrestrial roots watered, technological routes strained
love bonds stronger, kinks strung taught
challenged to be more human than we’ve had to be….
learning more than expected through self reflection
became a jack of all trades via necessity
cook, cleaner, gardener, nutritionist, therapist, chemist, civil servant
quelling the fear of unknown for others, neglecting my own
an over utilised shoulder and ear
the relief on faces that have secured access to much needed resources
the daily briefings that heighten our anxiety and remind us just how flawed and human we are
a pandemic with a mysterious origin, and untold impact on the human body
in circumstances where we need human compassion and touch most
self imposed exile as a means of survival
which I intend to emerge from with love and reinforced sense of charity
13:59:28:04:20
