Pandemic Poetry & Thoughts.

I Remember When…

I remember when we used to go to the shop with my nana Mary where sweets & chocolate were 5p each.

I remember when on a Sunday night we all used to have to go in the bath and my toy was a rubber peach.

I remember when I used to watch football on a black & white tv.

I remember when we used to go to the beach and swim in the sea.

I remember when my sister was born and she smiled when she looked up at me in 1983.

I remember when we used to go to the Lake District and see Aunty Brenda who was posh and made us drink earl grey tea.

I remember when I was 10 years old and my father ran off with another woman and I cried to myself every night before sleep.

I remember when my other sister was born and I went to the shop and bought her a fluffy cuddles sheep.

I remember when I was in high school and I went on a school trip to the South of France.

I remember when we went to Lourdes and a man in a wheelchair started to dance.

I remember when I watched my favourite team Manchester United win the treble in 1999.

I remember when they were 1–0 down in the European Cup going into injury time.

I remember when they scored two goals in the last minute of the match it was an inter-galactic moment a memorable night of mine.

I remember when the world just stopped and you held in your breath.

I remember when my grandfather died, it was an unfortunate death.

I remember when cars had four gears and I took my driving test.

I remember when cars didn’t have power steering and I had a painful chest.

I remember when I became a father it was the best day of my life.

I remember when I had to go to jail, I felt like I had been stabbed with a knife.

I remember when I first used narcotics it felt so good.

I remember when I then became an addict. I took all the drugs I could.

I remember when I had to go to the night shelter I was homeless and cold.

I remember when I was asking for support but there’s none available I got told.

I remember being in an extremely dark and lonely space. I just wanted to go away.

I remember when I got to the hospital I was lucky the nurse did say. So I cherish the moments in my new headspace every single day.

I remember when I had a big fat swollen face, my teeth were a mess, I thought it was going to burst.

I remember when I then had to go to the dentist and he said you need to take antibiotics first.

• I remember when I read Timothy Key post about writing what you don’t know.
• I remember when I read it again and said I to myself I will have a good go.

So this is my first time trying to get a poetry piece to look and sound right.

I want to try different topics and subjects in unusual ways to write.

I have given my all in this special and unorthodox post.

I will edit it later when I’m eating my supper snack of gooey cheese on toast.

I remember when life was normal and we all used to be happy going about our busy day.

Now we have to wait for the man they call Boris and see what he has to say.

I just want to see my friends and family I miss them in every way.

We must stay strong together and make the power of love and good feeling force the pandemic away.

Created in an out of my comfort zone space.

With a smile on my face.

Brian Anthony Cumberlidge. 03/05/2020.