15 May 2024

Poetry


2020

We rang our bells like lepers
"Unclean! Unclean!"
Drifting along half empty streets
Faces hidden by surgical masks
Furtively glancing at those who passed
Going nowhere.
Going home.


We switched on television sets
"Stay Home! Save Lives!"
Wondering if we might die soon
Fears hidden by masks of ribaldry or
Desperately joining quizzes on "Zoom".
Saving Lives,
Staying Home.


We booked our vaccinations
"Hands! Face! Space!"
Believing we might at last be saved -
Rescued by boffins in white lab coats
Cleverly developing antidotes
Shaking test tubes,
Shaking hands.
-

4 comments:

  1. Andrew12:06 pm

    I thought, oh, more poetry, but this one hit home for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yorkshire Pudding8:19 am

      Thank you Andrew. I am glad that you connected with this one.

      Delete
  2. Ellen D.10:03 pm

    I'm enjoying your poetry, Neil! Hope you are enjoying your vacation!

    ReplyDelete

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