In twenty years, what will you tell your children, grandchildren, or other loved ones about your experience during the COVID -19 pandemic?

(300 word limit) – Written for Writer’s Unite – Quarantine

It started March 2020, when we were all in quarantine,
Not allowed out, schools closed, we couldn’t be seen.
Many not allowed to work, some were furloughed,
For those of us that had to work, our courage had to grow.

Being faced with a virus that could make us unwell,
It was incredibly scary, some their fears they didn’t tell.
The nurses, the doctors, the staff on the front line,
We all worked together at this really hard time.

Some lived in hotels away from their families,
Afraid of bringing it home to their partner and babies.
Some were truly isolated for months from the world,
Having food delivered, staying safe, their stories are now told.

There was mighty Captain Tom and the admirable Margaret,
Tom walked his garden and Margaret had a different target.
Climbing her stairs, like climbing a mountain,
These two raised millions and didn’t let doubt in.

The health care workers who put videos on Facebook,
Tic Tok, the rainbows, You Tube, Zoom, Skype and news groups.
Social media it helped us in our isolation,
The virus changed the world and it made our lives uncertain.

There’s so much we can tell you of COVID -19,
A time like no other, a time, unreal even obscene.
The death toll it rose, by the thousands every day,
And we all prayed for a vaccine to make it go away.

A cough or a symptom bought a week’s isolation,
And ignoring this went against the plan of the nation.
It wasn’t long before health workers were offered the COVID swab test,
It was important for us all to work as we were giving our best.

So, twenty years on, the world has gone far,
Those brave souls of 2020, we know how lucky we are.
Staying at home, unable to go out,
We lived it so you have a life to talk about.

For more see, A worldwide pandemic poetry

Featured image drawn by my six year old daughter