Lockdown!

Lockdown

‘Are you enjoying lockdown?’ People often ask
Well, I think that’s what they’re mumbling through their face mask
‘You don’t need to have that mask on when talking on the phone!
You cannot catch the virus indoors when you’re alone!’

I still answer the question but my response varies day to day
It depends how I’ve been coping with this bizarre new living way
‘I’m feeling very good, thank you!’ As I enjoy the break from life
Discovering how to be a perfect and dutiful wife

The house has never looked so clean, the oven shines like new
I bake, I scrub, I iron and sort cupboards through & through
I read sitting in the garden and I’m grateful for this space
Trying to catch a few rays to tan my pasty face

I hug my husband often because he’s here and because I can
I’m very lucky to have such a fit and healthy man
I also hug my teenage son and kiss his handsome face
I can’t imagine what it’d be like if he didn’t share our place

The two of them are having fun with PC games and throwing ball
I love the fact they get on well and they’re not arguing at all
The cat is very happy that he can always find a lap
Never on his own and always a place to nap

I take a brisk walk once a day as my regular exercise
To deliver things to my mum because she is being wise
At eighty-six years old she’s keeping to herself
Inside the porch I leave her things on the designated shelf

We have to social distance when we go out to shop
In the queue we move six feet before again we have to stop
We enter when we’re told to and follow the one-way system
I cannot miss what I need because in order I did list ‘em

On Thursday evenings the community has a new routine
Clapping for the frontline staff, it’s quite an emotional scene
We’re clapping for so many folk who’re helping to get us through
Serving their fellow countrymen and we’re thankful for all they do

But ask me on another day, my response may be quite glum
‘I can’t stand all this housework and I’m bored sitting on my bum!’
‘I can’t watch another update followed with questions on repeat’
‘I’m fed up with scrolling Facebook and I don’t know how to “tweet”!’

I can’t give my mum a hug, my son can’t kiss his bird
But at least we all have FaceTime to share the spoken word
I worry about a lovely friend as he battles to survive
And pray he’ll be home soon, he’s just got to stay alive!

When chatting to a neighbour, I get a little close
She recoils like I’m disgusting or scary like a ghost
I see the terror on her face and take a few steps back
Her face returns to normal and we continue with our chat

When boredom strikes, I hit the fridge, it is my new best friend
If this carries on much longer, I’ll be two tonne by the end!
I let my husband cut my hair as all the ends were split
But his has become unruly and he won’t let me touch it

I sometimes have emotional days when I just sit and cry
Frustration, grief and boredom are just some of the reasons why
‘Everything is so unfair! What’s happening to our lives?’
People losing loved ones, parents, siblings, husbands and wives

The virus does not discriminate, it tortures anyone on any day
Some suffer very little whilst others are taken away
In hospital they’re on their own, no loved ones at their side
And the journey is a very turbulent, tough and bumpy ride

The hospital staff are amazing and really are the best
We must Stay Home, to Save Lives and Protect the NHS
So, to summarise I smile, I hug, I cry, I frown
This is the reality of being in lockdown!

© The Keynsham Poet NIEH 10/05/2020