Colin Thomson: Poem: “Coronavirus Blues”

Well, we had our first lockdown way back then in March,

Queuing outside the shops and having to wear a mask.

 

Toilet rolls were popular, I should have bought some shares,

So was flour , pasta and eggs – on the shelves they were not there.

 

Then slowly Boris had his plan to get us socialising 2 metres apart,

“You can meet in groups of six outside – in the park.”

 

Pubs began to open, but only if they sell food,

Tell them your phone number so they can contact you (?!)

 

Then someone said, let’s close the pubs at ten,

No more drinking beers, we’ll go to the off licence then.

 

Along came tiers one, two, three, depending where you are,

Becoming a battleground for the UK, all of us near and far.

 

Everyone had different rules – no wonder we were so confused

Let’s turn around and say “two fingers to you.”

 

Now Boris only had to go and change his mind again,

We’re going back into lockdown, but not at number ten.

 

“It will only be a month of staying home alone.”

Well that should be okay, but not if you live alone!

 

Shops will be open only for essential things,

But what’s the rules for that as we all have different needs!

(Clothes are essential, by the way, otherwise we’ll all freeze!)

 

Surely, come on now I know we’ve all had it rough

Living our lives in fear of those close to us.

 

But it’s a simple fact that I cannot give a hug

Our wellbeing is being destroyed by this invisible bug.

 

Let’s hope next year is better, and loved ones can celebrate with me,

It might be the “new normal” – whatever that may be.

 

It’s got to be better than being stuck at home or watching the TV,

Seeing me on YouTube and writing poetry.

 

All I’m asking is can I have my life back again?

It seems it depends on how you behave, and not the question ‘when?’

 

So locked up in lockdown, here we go again

I’ve given up watching the news

It only gives me the Coronavirus blues

 

Let’s keep in touch whatever way you can,

We need your support to get through this plan.

Colin is a renowned deaf sign song performer and a poet. He has worked in performance for 41 years and is planning a celebratory tour once it is safe to do so. You can follow him here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3X-3vOJUWqHNSfxsuUp_tQ/videos