Summary

Dr. Seuss proposes whimsical strategies for children to cope with and imagine the defeat of COVID-19 in a poetic narrative that addresses their frustrations.

Abstract

The article presents a creative poem by Dr. Seuss that empathizes with children's grievances about COVID-19 and its impact on their lives. Dr. Seuss articulates the children's yearning for normalcy, their dislike for the virus, and its intrusion into their daily activities. In response, he conjures up playful and imaginative methods for vanquishing COVID-19, including stretching it into a wisp, confusing it in a hall of mirrors, plunging it into the ocean, launching it into space, or hiding it in a stack of hay. These fantastical solutions are designed to empower children with a sense of agency and to inspire them to think of their own ways to 'defeat' the virus.

Opinions

The children express a strong desire to return to pre-COVID activities and routines, such as spending time with family and playing with friends.
There is a shared sentiment of frustration and disdain towards COVID-19 for disrupting their lives and causing constant precautions.
Dr. Seuss suggests that by using creativity and imagination, children can envision overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The author advocates for a proactive approach to dealing with COVID-19, encouraging children to think of ways to eliminate it from their lives.
The poem reflects a hopeful perspective that the pandemic will eventually subside and life will return to normal.

POETRY

Dr. Seuss Conjures Up Wacky Ways to Destroy COVID-19

The word wizard listens to children’s complaints about the virus and shares his sneaky solutions

Dear children,

By now, you all know about COVID-19 the beastliest beast our planet has seen It’s nasty and spiky and can make us quite ill If we can destroy it, we certainly will

I’ve considered your thoughts on this grimy old goblin and decided to figure out a fix for the problem You’ll find some ideas in my ditty below With your thinking cap on, you’ll think thinks of your own

These are the things I’ve heard some of you say:

COVID-19, you Big Meanie Beanie! You’ve kept me away from my gramps and my granny My teacher seems sad at my smiley-face mask “Can you go wash your hands?” she constantly asks

I miss all my friends and us playing together At home and outdoors in all kinds of weather I didn’t like dance class before COVID hit But now I’d be happy to prance just a bit I miss music and singing and visiting my aunt I’m sick of you, COVID, so here is my rant

I don’t want COVID in my home Or COVID chatter on the phone I don’t want COVID in my school Or on my street or in the pool

I don’t want COVID on the swings Or in the park or on my things I don’t want COVID on TV COVID isn’t kind to me

I don’t want COVID on my chair I don’t want COVID anywhere I don’t want COVID in the mall I don’t like COVID — not at all!

I don’t like COVID low or high Down on the Earth or in the sky COVID needs to go away To a far off place, it has to stay

Dear children, I hear you rant with frustration Here are solutions for your consideration

We could stretch COVID to a wispity wisp and whisk it away with a whiskity whisk Or confuse that old bug in a hall full of mirrors Its reflection would bounce from one end to the other

Perhaps plunge the foul fiend in the deepest of oceans Where pressure would pop it at the slightest of motions Or strap it to a rocket and launch it to space Send it lightyears away so it won’t leave a trace

Bottomless quicksand is where COVID belongs Or Fort Knox with its locks or the wild billabongs If we find a volcano, we could throw COVID in it Or a giant stinky sinkhole far away from our planet

We could hide that vile virus in a huge stack of hay So it’s lost in the straw and can’t find its way Or stick it securely between bricks in a wall With rock hard cement so it can’t move at all

Why not trap COVID in a big wobbly bubble And waft it up high where it can’t cause us trouble Or sail it away in a boat made of paper With a handwritten note saying, “Won’t see ya later!”

Perhaps lose the cruel killjoy in a treacle-filled maze Where it sticks to the path for the rest of its days Or ask a magician to vanish it away A smart magic trick could well save the day

COVID you Kringemunch, you dastardly brute If you come near our town, we’ll give you the boot Go far from our homes; we’re not scared to fight you Leave us alone because we plan to smite you

You’ve had your big day, but now you’re old hat Be off with you now! Good Riddance! Take that!

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