CORONACOASTER — Thoughts, feelings and inspiration from COVID-19 and Lockdown
A collaborative poem inspired by the three prompts above, written by members of Grasmere WI, May 14th, 2020
Click here to listen to the poem being read by Lilian Simmonds
Click here to watch a video of the poem being read by Lilian Simmonds
Coronacoaster
Sudden, extreme changes
In a short period of time
A ride of sharp curves
And steep inclines
This is our life
During COVID-19 and Lockdown
Coronacoaster is despair
The loss of family and friends,
An unknown situation
An uncertain future.
This virus could be here to stay.
Coronacoaster is fear
That lives are lost so quickly
The possibility that I or those I love
Could endure an agonizing death
Gasping for air as our lungs are destroyed.
Fear of being ill, alone or in hospital
That I might be on a ventilator again
That I might be infected with zero symptoms
And pass it on to those I love.
Fear for my son poorly in hospital
My husband who is on the at risk list.
Fear I won’t be able to attend my mother’s funeral.
Fear of being stalked by an unknown assailant
Something powerful and malevolent is out there
Waiting to strike but I don’t know where or when.
Coronacoaster is anger
That people don’t understand
The seriousness of COVID-19
And ignore social distancing
Coronacoaster is worry
The constant dread that lingers in the mind
Separation from family; children living abroad
The unknown in shielding.
Worry about my first grandchild due
After years of heartache and loss.
Coronacoaster is sadness
For lives lost
The opportunity to grieve as a family is denied
The thought there is no one in the world
That I can hug right now.
Lockdown has destroyed my liberty
To live a normal life and I long
For the return of the old days.
Coronacoaster is guilt — oh the guilt
For not finding lockdown difficult
For working from home
Not out on the frontline.
Guilt for living in such beauty
As I cycle from home to Langdale
Sun shining, light breezes, birdsong,
Water-lapping — empty road
Willow warblers, handsome chaffinches
Red squirrels in our garden
Further guilt
And so it goes on
Pestilence be gone.
But coronacoaster has its ups
As well as downs
Happy, peaceful days with no deadlines,
Calmness, wellbeing, more grounded,
Gratitude for where I live
Surrounded by nature at its finest.
Bird song
Nature explodes,
Watching spring unfold
Coronacoaster is awareness
Did the birds always sing this way?
Why haven’t we had the family quiz before?
Time to reflect, to stop and think.
Coronacoaster is relief
My son is discharged from hospital – so far so good
My mother didn’t have to endure this isolation.
Coronacoaster is relaxation
Luxury of spending time at home
Not watching the clock
Time expanded.
No external pressures, no demands
Just peace, just us.
Coronacoaster is connection
My family have my undivided attention
Grasmere WI, friends and family
Via Zoom and social media.
Fun, laughter, community spirit
In these strange and difficult times.
Coronacoaster is hope
Life will get better
If everyone adheres to the rules
That we will find a vaccine
That this too will pass.
When the coronacoaster has
Ceased its bumpy ride,
We will get used to the new normal
Record one reason to be grateful every day.
I will try not to worry so much
Carry on having a milkman
Feel more connected to family and friends
Community and nature.
I will not get caught up
In the busyness of life
I will be calm
Listen to kindness.
I will focus on our health
And play a part to ensure
Our livestock are treated well
Conscious of global issues that
Affect us all.
I will not bother with holidaying abroad
For beauty is on our doorstep
I will get my hair done
I like my longer hair – it might stay!
I will walk on my own
Connect with my thoughts
Loving the peace and quiet.
And I will make time
Time for others. time for me
Time to do and time to be.
When lockdown is over
I want to find a way to live
In this difficult, crazy, uncertain,
Wonderful world that is our home.