It's Poetry Monday, and this week's topic, courtesy of baili at Baili And I, is ... THE PANDEMIC.
Join Diane, MotherOwl, Mimi, our contributors in the comments, and me, as we address our thoughts and feelings on this life-altering piece of history through which we are now living.
You can leave your poem in the comments or post on your own blog; if you do the latter, please also drop a note in the comments so we can find your blog and read your poem and shout encouragement. Or whisper, whichever you prefer :)
Use the topic, or choose another: it's all good. The idea is to use our brains, and have fun - although perhaps "satisfaction" is a better description when we are feeling more serious about our subject matter.
Feel free to contribute a poem by another author if you wish (giving credit to the writer). I like seeing what you enjoy in the way of poetry and it's a good chance to find new authors.
Feel free to contribute a poem by another author if you wish (giving credit to the writer). I like seeing what you enjoy in the way of poetry and it's a good chance to find new authors.
*****
This poem was difficult to write, not because I didn't know what to say, but - curiously - because I kept flipping back and forth from seriousness to silliness. It's far easier for me to write silly things than serious ones.
But eventually seriousness won out because I kept thinking of all the people who have died - unnecessarily, it seems to me. If the world's leaders had all listened to the advice which experts in infectious diseases have been trying to give them for decades now, there would have been plans in place for just such a pandemic. In fact, plans were even made in some cases and simply not used soon enough.
And, of course, if the world had worked together to give a hand up to countries where everyday life is a struggle and health care is poor, this pandemic would not be savaging those countries today.
All those things grieve me, as they grieve many of you, and it is hard to accept that perhaps the only thing we can do right now is be cautious and protect ourselves and those around us in order to conserve whatever healthcare resources are available wherever we may live.
Remember: They also serve who only stand and wait. (John Milton, When I Consider How My Light Is Spent) We do what we can.
*****
You're Doing Great; Please Keep It Up
This poem was difficult to write, not because I didn't know what to say, but - curiously - because I kept flipping back and forth from seriousness to silliness. It's far easier for me to write silly things than serious ones.
But eventually seriousness won out because I kept thinking of all the people who have died - unnecessarily, it seems to me. If the world's leaders had all listened to the advice which experts in infectious diseases have been trying to give them for decades now, there would have been plans in place for just such a pandemic. In fact, plans were even made in some cases and simply not used soon enough.
And, of course, if the world had worked together to give a hand up to countries where everyday life is a struggle and health care is poor, this pandemic would not be savaging those countries today.
All those things grieve me, as they grieve many of you, and it is hard to accept that perhaps the only thing we can do right now is be cautious and protect ourselves and those around us in order to conserve whatever healthcare resources are available wherever we may live.
Remember: They also serve who only stand and wait. (John Milton, When I Consider How My Light Is Spent) We do what we can.
*****
You're Doing Great; Please Keep It Up
This virus has us all on edge
We teeter on the jump-off ledge
Life's other woes are magnified
And far too many folks have died
It's easier by far to fight
The things that lie within our sight
Than try to dodge or try to flee
This foe's invisibility
But over time we've learned to cope
We wash and wash our hands with soap
We check our health for signs of trouble
And keep within our six foot bubble
We wear our masks to safely breathe
We wash and wash our hands with soap
We check our health for signs of trouble
And keep within our six foot bubble
We wear our masks to safely breathe
And if we cough we use our sleeve
This virus will not last forever
This virus will not last forever
In years to come, things will get better
Our thanks go out to all who strive
Our thanks go out to all who strive
To keep the at-risk folks alive
Now let's stay strong to crush the curve
Now let's stay strong to crush the curve
For in this way we also serve
*****
And because I can also see the silliness in some of the circumstances surrounding the pandemic, here's something to lighten the mood.
Pandemic funnies.
*****
Wishing you a healthy, happy week.
51 comments:
The red bandanna
On the face of the burly dude in the leather jacket
In the parking lot of the grocery store
Looked just like mine.
He remarked that two months ago
We'd have looked like bank robbers.
I told him we still do.
-Doug in Sugar Pine
I ache, I worry, I despair.
And I thank you for the funnies.
Where did you get the photo of Jazz and his social distancing tools?
Of course that tiny kitty can quarantine wif me :)
I like your poem.
Your poem should be nailed to every lamp post all over the world! And add the funny with the dense population to make people look at it.
Jenny that is lovely. It really resonates with me, and Milton's poem is one of my favourites. I'm afraid mine is a little darker; not much fun here:
When World War3 is over,
This war between virus and man,
How will its history be written?
Who will determine how it began?
As we stand on the brink of the great unknown
Will man’s future be better or worse?
Will the sufferings felt all across the globe
Unite us, or the reverse?
Are we already done with praising the angels
Who still work to keep us from suffering and pain?
Will we think to sow poppies to remember the fallen
When we are back to ‘normal’ again?
Will all the neighbourly acts continue -
Our turning to care for the poor,
The sick, the lonely, the hurt and the grieving?
Or will we go back to just shutting our doors?
If we don’t make a stand on the way man behaves,
If nothing is changed when the battle is done,
If power and greed still outstrip our needs,
Then, my friend, the virus has won.
On the political stage the men who pull strings
Fling slander and blame at far distant shores
And the only lesson to be learned from this crisis
Is that biological warfare may start World War4.
Thanks for adding the funnies - a good antidote. I like the one about 'chin up'.
Second verse troubles me but otherwise good. Love all the cats and dogs.
That is both a hard and easy subject to talk about. I no longer wake up every morning with the shocking reality of the disease, I just wake up with the reality of it. My Retired Man and I have become used to this alone life, and although, we hate it (I, more than he), we know there is no alternative. All of our hopes are on a vaccine, even if it is only short term one.
Your funnies brighten my Mondays.
Great poem. You hit all the important points.
I’ve nothing to add except to say
I wish this thing would go away.
Your last line is what it's all about. It's not only about ourselves. We must also try to protect others so that they don't get the virus and give it away..
You're serious, but you're also hopeful. I like that.
Well done, Doug - thanks for contributing. Some folks look more like that than others, to be sure, but I find masks in general are a bit disorienting when you're used to reading other people's faces!
What, you didn't know that Jazz is using your computer behind your back?? Tell him I'm sorry I gave him away! He really does have scary claws :)
I hope it's okay with Lola, too :D Thanks, River.
Sadly, I'm afraid people would look at the funny and ignore the words, as always :)
A thoughtful warning that we all should heed, Heather - thank you for your contribution again today. I am already anticipating that mankind will mostly return to business as usual. It is too "hard" to sustain other behavior for long, for a lot of different reasons. I wish it were otherwise.
I'm not sure what you mean about being troubled - the structure or the message? Let me know; I'm always open to improvement.
Yes, a vaccine can't come soon enough. I am heartened to read about how many labs around the world are working on this, with good preliminary results. I think that day will come, and it will be a big relief.
Short and to the point, Marie, as always! Me, too.
We all have a job to do. As usual, some people are doing it better than others :)
I'm looking forward to the day we can look back at this and be thankful we're past it!
And knows how to use them.
Need a like button for comments! I like it I like it!
You managed to hit the right tone with your poem, Jenny. Well done. I'm still trying to find the right tone for my every day life. On the one hand, this is the most awful thing that's happened in my memory and on the other, without it I wouldn't be able to take the summer off.
Perfect, Doug! I went into a bank today, wearing a mask. I can cross that off my bucket list now...
Good poem. I'm just hoping that we can all learn something from this year. If nothing else, we should be grateful for what we have when we have it. It's too easy to take things for granted. Of course I love all the funnies, especially that little baby with the suitcase!
Beautifully done, Jenny! You managed to hit just the right combination of concern and hope!
And I wish more people would recognize our efforts to cover up and social distance as 'serving'!
Love the funnies! They always lift my spirits!
Brilliant poem, Heather!
I agree with Jenny. I fear we're too lazy to continue with the good efforts.
But think of the world we could live in if we did manage to keep them up!
Nice one, Doug. I like the touch of humour you brought to the topic.
You have hit the right note, Jenny. Stoicism is the name of the game. I was just talking to my 94yr old father. Having gone through WW2 in the UK as a teenager, and having his life completely upturned, he is pretty unfazed by current events. Listening to how he adapted as a young man was a good reminder to keep calm and carry on.
They also serve who only stand and wait. John Milton, one of the greatest English poets. Thank you.
Your poem is excellent and your funnies are definitely funny. My favorite is the doggy wearing the slippers. Franklin and Penelope love to stand at the living room window to give orders to everyone in the neighborhood.
Love,
Janie
It can be a very mixed bag, can't it? I'm getting more work at the office because of the situation, which I am thankful for. But that's offset by the crappy stuff.
That's such a great point - be grateful for what we have when we have it. That's something we can all try to do - it doesn't take a huge effort and would make a difference.
Yes, I think we've been spoiled, our generation. We had things good our whole lives, relatively speaking. You dad would have a whole different perspective from ours. A better one!
Indeed!
There are days I'd like to do that too! lol
That doggy in pjs and slippers cracks me up too.
your words always have power to touch heart so deep dear Jenny
i agree that once again world is being toy in hands of politicians ,so many have found this opportunity to add tons of money in their bank accounts ,money that is far enough for their next generations need ,thanks to "covid aid" by other nations
we can see one more time that how much concerned are our head of the family (politicians) for their family members
i wonder how they can do this to fellow humans ???
i loved this poem ,beautifully said my friend
yes we can serve by realizing our responsibility as human !
thank you for lighting up mood though meme have effected me in both ways ,they made me smile and they made me sad
so the situation
more blessings to your precious world!
hugs!
Well said! Although i did go with a bit of silliness, i think we need it to ease the stress.
Sorry it is taking me this long to catch up on blogs, i am woefully behind.
Nice work on the poem, jenny_o. You do a great job on all of these topics. My favorite meme was the chicken nuggets in the shape of humans. I snorted a wee bit.
"No, the other chin" - LOL!
I like your poem, and the quote that inspired it. When everyone is feeling helpless, it's good to be reminded that "not doing" can be as valuable as "doing".
Great work on holding on to your 'serious' but thanks for the funnies....I needed thadt.
Thank goodness for humour! We need a lot of it these days. This pandemic has really tired people out. And now there's restlessness. Hopefully people continue to follow the guidelines, so we don't have any major setbacks.
I think I was just worried about what is happening.
I missed this post, sorry. I must have been busy, doing nothing! I really like your poem and the funnies lifted my spirits. I'm going to send the one about the cat talking about weight gain to my older daughter. She'll love it. :D
It's always both heartbreaking and enraging to hear of aid money or supplies being taken for personal use by governments whose people are suffering. You said "i wonder how they can do this to fellow humans" and I wonder that too and do not have an answer.
Hugs, my dear friend.
Do not worry, Mimi! Real life responsibilities always come first, and you have so many of those. Thanks for reading :)
Oh, good!
It's hard to "not do" - surprisingly so. But if we can think about it differently . . .
Good to hear from you, Delores - hope you and hubby are well.
You're right about the restlessness, Martha - I think that's a dangerous feeling but I can understand it. I hope people can hang in there.
I chortled at that one, too - I hope she does enjoy it :)
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