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

A viral pandemic

The state of the world, the state of our country,
A pandemic has hit, it’s really rather nasty.
The chaos it’s caused, to the global economy.
The call for a lockdown, and now freedom is not free.

People losing their jobs, or being redeployed.
For now, our lives, are temporarily destroyed.
Many people are now vulnerable and alone,
And many more are now working from home.

For some from work they are taking a break,
As the Chancellor knows theres more than money at stake.
For some can now rest after being furloughed,
80% of their wages, for some a hard road.

The NHS and keyworkers we continue to work,
The teachers have the children, some need the support.
Watching others home school while we do our best,
Working hard, we are tired and stressed.

Calling for an end to this Corona Virus,
We hope that the nation is really behind us.
People meeting friends for simple recreation,
Please stay at home, help end this devastation.

Shopping

A trip to the supermarket is greeted with a queue,
One in, one out it’s the best they can do.
Working so hard at trying to be safe,
No one wants to catch it, face masks are rife.

So, do you shop for just what you need?
Or do you buy extra, but not exceed.
The stress of the supermarket, of just getting food,
It’s no longer easy and people can be rude.

This morning I lay in bed as an NHS worker,
Thinking do I go now for the NHS shopping hour?
My bed it was warm, and I pulled up my duvet,
Knowing the queue later, it will not go away.

A queue to get in and a queue to get out,
The British public can make me scream and shout.
This pandemic has thrown us into the same situation,
None of us happy all moaning about our morning mission.

I keep reading that this is unprecedented,
For this overused word, my patience hasn’t relented.
This is something we thought we’d never live through,
And smile and carry on, is all we can do.

Kids are not at school

So here we are now with the kids stuck at home,
COVID -19 brings quality time, we are not alone.
For now, we have to make the most of what we have,
We don’t know the future and we have to be brave.

For more see, Corona Virus (Covid-19) panic poetry

Fiction writing – Castle hospital and an infectious disease

My other blog – Corona Virus (Covid-19) fears, life and writing