This collection of poems was inspired by the current Coronavirus pandemic. These are just a few of the poems included in my final year portfolio for my creative writing module ‘Maps and Motors’. We had to write poetry, prose or a combination of both, linking them together in some way. Thus, I decided to use a consistent theme throughout my poetry and I chose the current pandemic since it was, and still is, extremely relevant. I thought it’d be interesting to write poems from a range of different perspectives, including an NHS worker, a university student and even the government. I have also used a number of forms of poetry; this selection includes free verse, prose, sestina and a Naani poem. Additionally, many of these poems include concrete poetry to convey meaning visually as well as verbally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please note: the content within this selection of poetry addresses sensitive issues, including but not limiting to references of: tragic current affairs, illness, death, assault, abandonment, hardship and poor mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunrise screams; I force on my clothes
piled
on
the
floor,
forlorn from last night\u2019s late shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My
legs
stand
speedily \u2013
there\u2019s
no time
to kill when there\u2019s a silent killer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toast between teeth as I
lives.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 d
save\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 a
to\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 s
stairs\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 h
the\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 o
up\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 u\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
back and reality to back the door;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People preparing picnics like someone
said: toll.
\u201cN
O death
P the
A goes
N up
D
E
M
I
C\u201d.
Then<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Broke and abandoned, but
we continue.
School students saved, but
we still suffer and struggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world seems to have
stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It started to s\u00a0 l\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 w\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0w\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0n, It was somewhere<\/strong>. Dragging your body into bed and But now, Guiding the lines that are given as guidelines. We have to be careful, however, with Flicking through old photographs, trying to remember we watch our families in the photographs and wait till it is Every Thursday, we all clap for the carers to remember lock them up because a fine for manslaughter is not to hug their grandma and grandad, while mine no longer remember Now, stop for a moment and make sure you remember Babies born with umbilical cords \u2013 s t r e t c h e d \u2013 and stiff \u2013 acting as a barrier from the beast that lurks about \u2013 but not cut off as a kid \u2013 because it ensures they keep their distance. Adults ignore the rules \u2013 umbilical cords enforce them. Babies born with thin skin covering their mouths and noses \u2013 tied behind their ears \u2013 loose enough to breathe \u2013 but born with breathing problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Midwives in hazmat suits \u2013 jump back once the baby has been born \u2013 picked up by prosthetic arms \u2013 equal length to the umbilical cord. Prosthetic hands hold the baby away from the mother \u2013 she must wear a hazmat suit to hold her own baby \u2013 but she can\u2019t \u2013 the pain has paralysed her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toddlers told to stay away from each other at nursery \u2013 like telling flies to stay away from the food on the table. Toddlers kept at home, so do not know how to talk \u2013 Teachers tell them off for being behind. Umbilical cords get in the way of their learning \u2013 standing six feet out of their stomachs \u2013 six feet away from succeeding. Fed through their umbilical cords from foetus to fatality \u2013 when the beast finally gets them \u2013 because it\u2019s inevitable it will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children without a childhood \u2013 Adults without an adulthood \u2013 Life without a life \u2013 Then death. Six feet apart \u2013 six feet away \u2013 six feet always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Six<\/p>\n\n\n\n feet<\/p>\n\n\n\n under.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
but now it\u2019s speeding
up. It\u2019s hard to tell, really.
Everyone\u2019s losing it a little.<\/sub>
Trapped in the
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0middle
of\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 nowhere<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Somewhere important, in fact.
Somewhere
the hustle and bustle halted.
Somewhere
rush hour no longer rushed.
Somewhere
peaceful.
Straight into that chair and
f
a
l
l
i
n
g
asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sleeping deeply. Peacefully. Ready
for another busy day. Buzzing
for those evening meals, taking
to the table with many guests to forget
the day that had just happened, or
the one ahead. Having fun; full
to the brim with food, flopping
onto the sofa to watch
Friends <\/em>or the footy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
that somewhere
is not important.
That somewhere
has been overused.
That chair
has been oversat on.
That bed
has been overslept in.
That table
has been overeaten at.
That TV
has been overwatched,
waiting for an announcement
…that isn\u2019t coming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAttempting to (stay) alert<\/u><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Preparing to present to the public
the seriousness of the situation
without scaring them, but scaring them
into abiding by the rules because
the British public aren\u2019t the best
at abiding by the rules.
They seem to presume that they
know best, but they don\u2019t.
And unfortunately,
neither do we.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
what we say and
when we say it.
Whatever we say, we\u2019re
scrutinised;
criticised;
vilified.
Whatever we say, no one\u2019s happy because
who is happy in the middle of a pandemic?
But that\u2019s what people don\u2019t remember;
that\u2019s what people seem to forget.
We\u2019re in the middle of a pandemic.
And no one knows what to do in a pandemic.
Not even us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRemember, it is not over yet<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
when life was normal. But it is
strange because for some, it is normal now. It
is them meeting their families; going over
to each other\u2019s houses; gatherings in gardens; not
acknowledging the danger they\u2019re bringing to others. Yet <\/p>\n\n\n\n
time to see them. The long wait will be worth it.
Longing to hug grandma and grandad, but not
now because if we followed the others; if we went over
now we could kill them. And that\u2019s enough to stop us, yet
not others \u2013 they do as they wish without a worry in the world, remember!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
all those risking their lives to saves ours. Yet,
the hypocrisy of those making their lives harder; not
only not following the rules, but knowingly so. It
is like the law doesn\u2019t apply to them. Is
it that difficult to follow? When this is over<\/p>\n\n\n\n
enough for the diabolical damage they\u2019ve done. It
is like the lady who was spat on and died. Belly Mujinga. Is
a fine sufficient for her murder? Lock them up and remember
what they\u2019ve done because it is a matter of life and death. Yet,
their ignorance is bliss as long as they can go over <\/p>\n\n\n\n
my name. My grandad\u2019s dementia makes not seeing him harder, yet
his vulnerability makes it a necessity to stay away. It
is important we are grateful for technology because talking over
the phone is bearable \u2013 imagine not at all! It is
important that we appreciate what we have got rather than not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
that we can\u2019t continue as normal. No, it\u2019s not
\u201cbusiness as usual\u201d, Boris. It\u2019s actually abnormal. It is
a bloody pandemic and please remember that it
is not over yet. It is not over.
Remember, it is not over yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSix feet under<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n