A couple of things to aid reading, it’s an unpunctuated kind of poem. So the verses are supposed to run in together, one continuous breath. I really like this poem, but the last verse isn’t quite write. But again this is not the place for finished work, I just want to keep writing. 

For reference ‘stop line’ pillbox is a reference to the World War II defenses in the south coast (Uk). There have been analogies or comparisons made between the pulling together of people during the war and lock down. Obviously not in gravity but maybe in community to a degree…

Where I mentioned The Machine is a reference to the government. 

Public health guidelines 

Now, now— in these extraordinary times

Listen, relax, follow government guidelines.

Dig beds or kids cress eggs

While the television briefing begs

Jagged little lockdown says stay home.

We count the days for normal to return

And find new routines to learn

The fragile, pomposity of The Machine will churn

The last of its regrets.

Now forever marked by COVID-19,

Like ‘Stop Line’ pillbox, half unseen,

We touch the world on iPad screens,

And the way we live has changed.

We find our tribe as isolation connects.

We look deeply, to see what the mirror reflects.

These hard times elects,

New ways for us to try.

These tidal days, maybe slip from time,

The allotment patch- reclaimed by vine.

The advertisers drone will whine.

And beg us to forget.

Forget, forget, what is simple is needed.

Consume and replenish what the grants depleted.

There was a time our hearts were seeded.

By devastation, now not repeated.

If we let go the gold found, unheeded

No fields of poppies, no insite greated.

What has this life become?