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In Times Like These

It swept across our world at the start of this year An invisible enemy that brought with it great fear My government was concerned about the economy And let this merciless virus invade my country. They said “let’s build resistance with herd immunity “ And like wildfire it spread throughout the community "We'll take it on the chin" Boris Johnson said A costly failure now thirty two thousand are dead And our brave health workers on the front line Told if they wash their hands everything will be fine They cried out for protective equipment endlessly For many it came too late and they died needlessly. I'm amazed and so angry that they acted slowly It was all over the news; how did they not see? Questions will be asked when this pandemic is over Those in power will be squirming as they run for cover. England now has a death rate higher than Italy They could have locked down sooner preventing tragedy We're guided by the science they continued to say While people with common sense looked on in dismay. The beautiful world that I once knew has now been lost To get to where we were before will come at a great cost Many families will struggle to make ends meet While our leader lives it up at his country retreat. The government's mistakes will be paid for in high tax There will be an inquiry that will say they were lax Of course they will deny it and through their teeth lie Avoiding questions as to why the death toll was so high. When this pandemic is finally over I know where I'll be I'll be making up for lost time spending it with family. I'm so grateful too, that all my family are still alive But mournful of those poor souls that didn't survive. Written on the 6th May 2020. For, In Times Like These Poetry Contest Sponsored By Silent One.

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Jcb Brul

Date: 7/12/2020 12:56:00 AM

A must-read!! Eloquent in execution. More power on you pen.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/12/2020 1:53:00 AM

Thank you JC, who'd have thought a tiny virus could bring the world to its knees, many were slow to act worrying about the economy, what's a few deaths, keep things moving. They've paid a heavy price now though. Enjoy your weekend. Tom

Lisa Brown

Date: 6/19/2020 10:11:00 PM

Congrats Tom. Very well said. Our government is a joke!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/20/2020 4:54:00 AM

Thank you Lisa, it's not just me then, his latest venture painting the plane that takes him on Jollies around the world, nicknamed air farce one. Tom

John Hamilton

Date: 6/3/2020 9:07:00 PM

Very good write Tom. Sad to see this tragedy affecting so many, I'm glad this got a win in SO's contest, little consolation...considering the subject matter!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 6/4/2020 3:59:00 AM

Thank you very much John, it's caused so much heartbreak the world over, many countries were too slow to act trying to keep their economies going. We have the worst death rate in the world, our great leaders were following the 'science'. Tom

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 5/12/2020 1:19:00 PM

Congratulations on your win. You told it like it is. Great write. Have a wonderful day with your win.......

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/12/2020 3:16:00 PM

Thank you very much Paula, I'm happy you liked it. Enjoy your day too. Tom

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 5/10/2020 10:36:00 PM

who would have thought that we would see these days back in the 60's?

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/11/2020 2:56:00 AM

Thanks Timothy, I know, scary stuff, even with all our modern technology a microscopic virus could easily wipe us out. Tom

John Watt

Date: 5/10/2020 5:19:00 PM

Congrats on your #1 placement Tom! Your review of government inaction is hard-hitting, and your compassion for the suffering is on full display. ~ John

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/11/2020 2:54:00 AM

Thank you very much John, many countries shut down straight away and as a result have a very low death rate, I just don't understand why nothing was done. Sadly many have died because of it. Tom

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 5/10/2020 10:01:00 AM

Congratulations on your so deserved win!!! Love and prayers dear friend!!!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/10/2020 10:50:00 AM

Thank you very much Regina, I'm happy you liked it. Tom

Winged Warrior

Date: 5/10/2020 9:43:00 AM

Superb writing Tom...Congrats on the WIN!...the Wingster :o)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/10/2020 10:48:00 AM

Thank you W. W. Happy you liked it. Our country has certainly made a mess of dealing with it. Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 5/10/2020 9:39:00 AM

Congrats Tom--you look great at the TOP of #1. So well deserved honor for your spectacular write.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/10/2020 10:45:00 AM

Thank you Vijay, I'm in excellent company. Tom

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 5/10/2020 9:30:00 AM

Tom, brilliant work! Great poem and every word perfect and true! Congrats on your win! We in the UK know what the country has suffered and why!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/10/2020 10:45:00 AM

Thank you very much Krish, the UK should write a book, How to not deal with a pandemic. Tom

Silent One

Date: 5/10/2020 8:59:00 AM

I think you covered every point and I do not want to get into a discussion about the mess the Uk has made of controlling this virus.. I agree with all your points.. Great rhyme and flow.. Congratulations on your first place in the contest..

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/10/2020 10:43:00 AM

Thanks very much S. O., this lockdown certainly gives you time to ponder. Thanks for my placement and also for hosting. I wonder what will be in today's briefing, not holding my breath lol. Hope you're well. Tom

Timothy Hicks

Date: 5/8/2020 1:04:00 PM

Can't undo the mistakes that were made, we can only learn from them (some mistakes are more costly than others though - to put it mildly). What a world we find ourselves in ... wonderfully penned.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/8/2020 3:30:00 PM

Thank you Timothy, hopefully if it happens again the world will be better prepared, I still think we should have locked down sooner. Tom

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 5/8/2020 12:46:00 AM

G'day Tom … it's tragic in every sense of the word, and you describe the happening in a very fine poem indeed. Sadly common sense in politicians is not very common. They must keep in step with the party line - thank you Tom - Lindsay

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/8/2020 4:24:00 AM

Thank you Lindsay, many believe they put the economy before people and hoped it would pass, how wrong they were. We'll pay dearly now with high tax on everything. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/7/2020 4:05:00 PM

WoW and again wow, excellent poem my friend - authorities and those in power will have to own up to their mistakes just like Trump will have to face the music. Blessings, Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/7/2020 4:44:00 PM

Thanks Jennifer, our leaders have a lot to answer to but they'll shift blame rather than own up. Hope your well Tom

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 5/7/2020 8:34:00 AM

This was a excellent write and entry. Brilliant. So many questions with so few answers and so much sadness, fear and panic. It's so frustrating and worrisome. God bless you sweet friend. Thank you for your poetry. Love to you, Gina

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/7/2020 1:05:00 PM

Thank you Regina, a great tragedy for the whole world. I hope the end of this pandemic will soon come. Stay safe Tom

Sandra Adams

Date: 5/6/2020 9:12:00 PM

exquisite write Tom.. one we can all relate too...all countries were slow at closing and the usa is starting to open though it has not slowed... so many protesting and not listening to the stay at home orders, many theories going around and uncertainties all around... we have lost some family that was labeled as covid though they both had failing health to begin with... wonderful end to this poem... hugs and blessings!

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/7/2020 3:02:00 AM

Thank you Sandra, so sorry to hear of your loss. If everyone had shut down straight away things wouldnt be so bad now. Opening too soon is a dangerous move, the virus hasn't gone away yet. Already some are worried about a second wave. Tom

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 5/6/2020 4:46:00 PM

An absolutely fantastic piece Tom, you really hit the nail on the head.You show great rhyme, flow and superb imagery. Keep safe and well, Blessings,Gordon

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/7/2020 2:58:00 AM

Thank you Gordon, sad that the horse had bolted before our government decided to take action stay safe Tom

Mark Koplin

Date: 5/6/2020 3:03:00 PM

Wow! What a great and wonderful poem. There are coverups world wide. It’s a shame we can’t trust those that are supposed to be watching out for us. Have a great day and be safe.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 3:17:00 PM

Thanks Mark, there's that saying never trust a politician, I've certainly got no doubts as to how true that is. Hope you're well. Tom

Ilene Bauer

Date: 5/6/2020 2:22:00 PM

wow, tom! this is a brilliant description of what has gone down in so many places. i can't even begin to describe how furious i am with the administration in my country and how frustrating it is to hear the lack of empathy for the families of those who have perished. it's very hard to digest...

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 2:52:00 PM

Thanks Ilene, It certainly beggars belief the casual way our governments have dealt with this pandemic, our government let the Cheltenham racing festival go ahead and over the six days about 250 thousand attended from all over the world and of course they returned to their home countries. They allowed this while other countries were shutting down and closing borders. It brings in a lot of revenue but any profits from that have since been spent. Now we have over 30 thousand deaths which is a scandal. Tom

Heidi Sands

Date: 5/6/2020 1:38:00 PM

These are very difficult times , with the virus still raging in the US, protests , some states re opening , and over 70,000 deaths with deaths still climbing. Well done Tom . I hope you are well. Take care. Be safe :)

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 1:42:00 PM

Thank you Heidi, I'm concerned about countries getting back to normal too soon because the virus hasn't gone away yet, temperature does not appear to slow it in any way, the last thing the world needs is a second wave. Hope all goes ok tomorrow. Stay safe. Tom

Quoth Theraven

Date: 5/6/2020 10:43:00 AM

Tom, You've been true to the passing days and weeks in this eloquent Rhyme. I can't wait to spend time with family again myself. A Fave. -Richard

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 12:34:00 PM

Thank you Richard, phones and tablets are fine but nothing beats actual contact with family. Tom

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 5/6/2020 9:23:00 AM

I am thankful our country has been responsible. I’m saddened however by the USA’s approach. Their President is rushing to open the country back up and is disbanding the Covid Task Force.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 9:58:00 AM

Thanks Richard, I saw that on the news, I hope they don't get a second wave. Tom

Vijay Pandit

Date: 5/6/2020 7:10:00 AM

Your brilliant poem speaks eloquently about the effects of this dreadful disease and even more so about the leaders who totally ignored it. If such negligence was evident in any of the large companies, the CEO would be long gone or even in jail. Your final stanza hits home for me. Well done, Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 7:31:00 AM

Thank you Vijay, if they'd shut down straight away we could have avoided the worst but now by not taking action back then the economy may take years to recover. Tom

Jan Allison

Date: 5/6/2020 6:46:00 AM

Questions will be asked and of course the truth has been covered up for so long - love the positive final stanza, just hope we can all stay well. We have a leaflet about 'what happens next' with plans for when lockdown ceases but one minister is asking why they have given no dates of when it's going to happen -what a numpty its not like they can wave a magic wand and the virus will disappear!:-( hugs Jan xx

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 6:51:00 AM

Thanks Jan, you're so right, they should have used more common sense, they knew it was coming but still let the Cheltenham races go ahead, they should have closed the borders straightaway, funny the chief scientist having his fancy woman over breaking lockdown rules, its a farce and has been from the word go. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 5/6/2020 6:41:00 AM

Boris Johnson's hubris is the cause of so many deaths . Himself came close to die but was spared. Why? God knows. A glorious poem presenting in a marvelous poetic form the story of Coronavirus. A fav for me my dearest friend, Tom. Stay healthy. In Greece we have only 145 death and 2600 infected. One of the lowest rates in the world because we took measures early on and people collaborated.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/6/2020 6:47:00 AM

Thank you Demetrious, Of course there will be an inquiry and I bet our government have their scapegoats ready. Stay safe. Tom