COVID-19 Poetry

A New Zealander writing a poem a day about COVID-19.

[covid19poetry]

Lockdown 4, Day 6

Today we discover, will the lockdown extend? Will our freedom be but where we can go in our mind? Dreams of travel all over the world replaced, Now being dreams of coffee with a friend.

100 cases, it's a worrying number, Particularly when we were told to expect that in total. But we're home where it's safe, no virus for me. At least that's what I hope, I guess we'll soon see.

Another day, another press conference, Another 11:59 deadline. Some have Freedom Friday, others another week, And all the expectation of another extension.

[covid19poetry]

Lockdown 4, Day 5

Today is a Sunday, the weekend it is. But I spend most of my day doing work from the week. When it should have been done my mind was elsewhere, So I make up the slack with a day that's for me.

Some will say I shouldn't, that this day isn't for work But what else will I do if I don't do this? So I work for a bit, then I work for some more. I send a few emails and run a few stats.

In the background I turn on some of the Premier League. Last night were some games that I can watch while I work. At least now I can feel like I did things other than work When in reality I didn't, I did little else.

More cases today, this is becoming quite scary. And a test still tomorrow I must get as a contact. Still I haven't had luck getting in contact with Healthline, Who should be telling me what to do, but I've established it solo.

[covid19poetry]

Lockdown 4, Day 4

I wrote this on 21 August. It wasn’t until today that I decided to post these on Tumblr.

Welcome to Saturday! The weekend they say! It feels but the same as the previous few days. My bedroom is no longer a location of rest and relaxation Instead a workplace and not really a good one.

At the end of the day, I think back to what I've achieved. A lack thereof I find in my mind What can I do? I'm stuck in one room. So I spend more the day asleep with no aim.

Tomorrow I must plan! In two days a test I must get! But for now my mind won't allow any more Thought is not my forte on this day. I just pretend I'm not here.

[covid19poetry]

Lockdown 4, Day 3

I wrote this on 20 August. It wasn’t until today that I decided to post these on Tumblr.

Waiting on a test result, waiting to find out If I've unknowingly spread to my friends and family The black plague of our times. Work is my activity, but not what's on my mind.

Reports of waits, it can be days for a result. So much testing, it can take two days! And yet I am waiting and working but not working at my best. The Prime Minister on the TV, my focus abreast.

Even more cases, today I'm not one But I cannot be sure that it will remain as such. Suddenly, an email brings relief to my mind. Negative it says, at least that's a start.

Look up the rules, isolated I must stay. Another test I must have, 14 days must elapse. So a relief yes it is, but my mind still wanders. What if it was wrong, I could be a culprit.

[covid19poetry]

Lockdown 4, Day 2

I wrote this on 19 August. It wasn’t until today that I decided to post these on Tumblr.

The news yesterday about all the lines. Testing is needed, but it's not easy to do. Two or four or six hours in queue, All to make sure you're safe from this plague.

Make sure you call Healthline, they'll guide you along. They'll tell you where to go to get a test easier. But last night they didn't answer, this morning the same. Into the car to wait and wait and wait.

Arrive in the queue, thank goodness I brought my laptop So I can continue my mahi and make the time fly past. But I'm not even close and half my battery life gone. Hopefully I can get there, I hope it works out.

40%, 30%, 25 and 20. It's dropping but I'm moving and might be okay. I get to the front, and now I know what's coming. Unpleasant but not nearly as bad as spreading black death.

[covid19poetry]

Lockdown 4, Day 1

I wrote this on 18 August the first day of our newest lockdown. It wasn’t until today that I decided to post these on Tumblr.

"Locking down over one case!" laughed CNN, BBC and all their friends. "Hundreds of cases and hundreds of deaths!" laughed all of New Zealand. It may be dark, but it's difficult not to be that way You've done this wrong, now watch how it's done!

More cases today, we come to learn, Locations of interest for each of them. Going to church or getting some lunch No longer feels as safe as yesterday.

Look at the locations, so many I've been But none at the same time, I've been lucky it seems. Until suddenly it changes, one of them matches! What if I have it, what if I've spread it.

Call our phone number, the website says. We'll tell you what to do, we'll keep everyone safe. So I call and I call and I call once again, Never once do they pick up, I guess I'm on my own.

[covid19poetry]

Lockdown 4, Day 0

I wrote this on 17 August when we went into lockdown. It wasn't until today that I decided to post these on Tumblr.

Life as normal, what the world cannot have. Out for lunch, no masks, no working from home. We've beaten the plague! Or so we all thought. Hand sanitiser and hand washing no longer in mind.

But wait, what's this? News of a case! The plague we defeated comes and shows it's face. We all thought it gone, but now we prepare. Laptops leaving workplaces, just in case of the worst.

Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 Things we had forgotten and wished were no more. All of a sudden, phone sirens ablaze. We're going to lockdown, we're back once again.