Managing the Curve?

Nature bursts forth, Man retreats
Deer and foxes roam our streets
Those yesterday who felt unwell
Have caused our modest morgues to swell.

We pray the curve will flatten soon
Exodus en masse - sad tune ...
Dear neighbours, colleagues, family friends
Whose funeral rites no one attends...

Huge waves of sorrow flood our minds
Scant respect, just slow church chimes ...
No last goodbyes, no poignant wreath
No friends with whom to share our grief...

Fever, breathing compromised
Many battle for their lives
Hurried treatment, gloved and masked
Each nurse, too busy with her task...

Joy! Some make it - let's be fair!
But we can't let down our hair;
The Queen makes an impassioned speech
As her P.M.* is out of reach ...

Health Minister in Scotland quits
Hypocrisy? The label fits!
Marianne Faithful and Tom Hanks
Are now enrolled in COVID ranks...

Thirteen countries unaffected
Or is the virus undetected?
Trump's scepticism now is plain:
Our "normal" won't come back again ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

* Boris Johnson



Bergamo, Italy