I Heard Something On the Wireless

I heard something on the wireless As i went about my day, Some new strain of virus In some province far away. I didn’t pay much attention As it seemed a distant threat. Well that was my contention So I didn’t break a sweat The message, soon transparent, Warned that death was prowling by, It was painfully apparent, That many were to die. It’s time for us to come to grips. Beat this virus” said stern faces, While some returned from skiing trips And others, Cheltenham races. Boris came to warn us all Some would pass before their time. Showing charts upon a wall With a steeply rising line. “The R must be lower than one” “We must flatten the curve” “Stay at home, enjoy the sun, Be strong and hold your nerve.” We learnt a new vocabulary, We learnt to “track and trace,” Fined by the constabulary If we didn’t stay in one place. The supermarkets, soon besieged, Yet few could see the folly, When driven by their fear and greed While filling up their trolley. Children sought to get their kicks Now the schools had shut their doors, By watching Box sets on Netflix And ducking all their chores. The country locked itself away, Some worked from their front room. Pubs closed and punters in dismay Drank tins, met mates, on “zoom” Some baked cakes, some made bread To fill the dawdling hour. Some chose just to drink instead, Because there wasn’t any flour. Everyone tuned on the news, To hear the latest plans. Heard the scientific views. Learnt how to wash our hands. And everyday the roll call, Grim statistics of those lost, The lives and loves of people, The terrible human cost. We learnt to love and live apart, Starfish stranded on the shore, But the tide soon lifts the longing heart So we learnt how to endure. But the hardest pain of all to bear As we saw our loved ones die, Was just the fact we couldn’t be there To say that last goodbye. Key workers, on the lowest pay, Like “Tommy’s” called to fight, Put themselves in dangers way To help us in our plight. Despite their lack of PPE To fight this enemy unknown, Resolute, they did not flee, And made the hospital their home. We showed appreciation We got up on our feet, A humbled, grateful nation, Applauding in the street. Those who came before us Who worked and toiled for years, Lay languishing in care homes With just memories and tears. Major Tom, at ninety nine, Like an Angel come to bless, Pushed his walker “down the line” To help the NHS. But we found a different way to be, As our focus realigned. We found value in community, As the old world fell behind. These verses can’t be ended Because there is no end in sight Just hope, with reason, blended That the dawn will end this night.