The Enemy
Once you
could see your enemies...
They
gathered by coppices on hills
Sharpening
their swords,
Horses
whinnying
Before the
impending storm...
Or they
clustered down the alley,
Shadows in
the darkness
Smoking
cigarettes...
Or waded in rat-infested trenches
Preparing to
attack at dawn...
Or clad
themselves in IED’s
And dissolute
philosophies.
Now the enemy
is silent and unseen
Where it will venture or might have been
We have absolutely
no idea...
We are simply waiting here -Washing our hands
Like Lady Macbeth -
"Out, damned spot! Out, I say!"
Waiting for
The enemy to enter us
And steal our breath away.
I shall have nightmares tonight now Mr P 😱
ReplyDeleteAsk your husband to pour more gin into your glass.
DeleteI like your thinking there
DeleteI like the poem -- although there have always been invisible enemies. Plague, anyone? I'm going to come right out and predict that this won't be stealing your obstinate Yorkshire breath anytime soon. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that "obstinate" is the wrong adjective Steve. How about "sweet"?
DeleteRight on, YP. There are all different kinds of enemies, and this is basically a war except we should all be on the same side in this one.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to put on a uniform, to carry a a gun and blast the enemy to smithereens but I cannot see the sneaky b******d!
DeleteWell written. The only way I know to fight this enemy is to stay home. At least I would think you can still take your walks as there does not seem to be any crowds where you walk! I hope you and Shirley are doing well.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that if self-isolation is legally enforced I would not be allowed to go on my country walks! Seems mad but there we are Bonnie!
DeleteWell...it's not going to stop me walking the dog!!
DeleteYou'll be arrested Frances. Just walk the dog round and round the garden like a teddy bear.
DeleteViruses, only pieces of DNA or RNA, they don't even have a cell wall and aren't capable of replicating themselves without a host cell and yet, they can brings us to our knees. That is impressive.
ReplyDeleteIn a sense the world is being shaken by nothing - but it is a very cruel and heartless nothing.
DeleteMy father's second wife died from the Spanish flu. And, he almost did. So, if that would not have happened, I wouldn't be here! Things happen for no reason at all. Or, things happen because of carelessness or greed or hate. One must really just go with the flow sometimes and wish for the best.....for all of us!
ReplyDeleteGo with the flow and wish for the best. I'm with you there dear Donna.
DeleteOnce you could see your enemies, and now the enemy is invisible and sometimes deadly. I am doing my part by self isolating for the past 5 days; my older son will bring me food when needed. I hope you will be able to continue your country walks.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that if self-isolation truly kicks in, we will all be house-bound. It may be illegal to go out walking.
DeleteI like your poem about the dreaded covid 19. We don't know much about the virus and it's not giving away any secrets. It truly is a cunning enemy.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mention COVID-19 in the poem but it was lurking there between the lines - invisible to the naked eye.
DeleteA very appropriate poem for the times we live in YP.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading it NS.
DeleteScary poem YP.
ReplyDeleteWe are on lockdown from 8 a.m. today, and there are road blocks everywhere. We are told to self isolate wherever possible, and it's very much a case of is your journey really necessary. It's eerily quiet. I'm fortunate to have a garden to walk round in, but I don't envy those living in apartments with tiny balconies. I am still allowed to walk my dog, but rarely ever see anyone when I do, so it's easier to maintain a safe distance.
It's the long-term effects of self isolation that is most worrying.
People who were already anxious or suffering from mental ill-health may be pushed over the edge by this. Look after yourself CG!
DeleteI've been inundated with emails cancelling events, including my choir concert next weekend, and appointments in the next week or so. My diary is looking so empty!
ReplyDeleteAn empty dairy? Where did the milking cows go?
Delete"clad themselves in IEDs" Do they offer protection?
ReplyDeleteWhen the button is pressed they become the fast lane to Allah... allegedly.
DeleteThat will, I think, got to the top of my little collection of your poems. It really hit home.
ReplyDeleteThank you Graham. I tried hard to capture the glum feeling that the unwelcome virus has brought into our lives.
Delete