WRITING PROMPT| FLINT & STEEL

An Ode to the Pandemic

Two years summed up in a poem

What the year 2020 turned out to be The outcome was not one to for-see In Wuhan, China strange things occurred A deadly virus the scientists concurred

Initially, everything was up in the air We were getting mixed messages which only caused fear The shelves were emptied, people buying in bulk No loo paper in sight caused many to sulk

‘Do not wear a mask!’, they said at first Assumably because supplies were at their worst Then the question was to wear one or two? I was totally confused as I’m sure you were too

No visitors, no gatherings, no restaurants or pubs Healthcare workers now wearing masks, visors and scrubs ‘Wash your hands’, ‘Don’t touch your face’ And ‘Keep everyone 2 metres from your personal space.’

Lines at the store — much to my chagrin I don’t like queuing for anything! So online shopping does one resort Amazon making a buck (and more) the media reports

I’ve eaten too much and indulged somewhat Sigh, it’s all gone straight to my gut Can’t burn it off, the gyms are closed And now too cold outside to be over-exposed.

No Christmas gatherings or fun together (Some people did break those rules, however) Boxing day, shopping at the mall was not allowed Usually, that day is such a nightmare with crowds

New Year was spent in front of the box Instead of venturing out to see the tick-tock No travel, or fun in the Caribbean sun But whatever you did, we were glad to see 2020 done

High hopes for a new year fell quickly in a slump Riots in the Capitol incited by Trump Between BLM and worldwide unrest 2021 was a new test

Then came variants of the virus and vaccine rollout delay And the price of lengthy lockdowns was beginning to pay We were all tired of being told what to do and when Especially when politicians think it doesn’t apply to them.

Curfews and lockdowns were our new way of life Hospitals and rest-homes were still facing strife Staff shortages, positive cases, deathly sick patients It was a daily dilemma testing everyone's patience

2022 started off just as bad Omicron was here, the unvaccinated a launchpad For it to spread — and rampant, it smeared Now hitting our kids, it was equally feared

Back to lockdowns, lines and entertainment sources closed Vaccine passports now imposed Lots of civil unrest, protests by truckers Blocking roads and cities, those damn fuckers

They don’t want to be vaccinated to enter the States Yet Canada imposed that same fate You can’t get in, and you can’t get out So, what really is your fight about?

I know no one likes being told what to do But if we did what was recommended and stuck together like glue The virus has no host to feed off and spread When will these peeps get that in their head?

I could go on forever — this is apparently clear But rest assured folks, the end is near It may take until 2023 before things are back to norm (and for us all to get back into shape and form)

Unity and communication are the key To maintain some sanity for you and me If we all do our bit, this pandemic will pass And we can hang with friends and raise a glass

We’ve risen above in this time of despair Through loss and worry and floundering healthcare What we took for granted; our jobs and friends We now look at life through a different lens

If you lost a loved one, it’s been especially hard I can’t imagine the emotions that bombard The angst and fear as the virus took hold So many heartbreaking stories still unfold

Hang tight. Have faith. A combined effort it is To be rid of this virus and do what we missed Isolation has taught us all a lot Especially, to appreciate what we still have got

I actually wrote most of this poem a year ago but never posted it. So, thank you Ellie Jacobson for your prompt at Flint and Steel for reminding me it was in the bowels of my ‘puter! It’s not exactly answering your prompt, but certainly is a reminder of what we’ve all been through the last two years.

I’m sure many of you have Pandemic stories to tell, so join in and share your sentiments.