Written Right

With next year’s exams cancelled in Wales,
I wonder if England will announce similar details.
Wales are often on the front foot, like with the firebreak too,
I’ve noticed we often follow what Wales decide to do!

Of course some pupils will like it and others won’t agree,
But better to know now rather than wonder what will be.
School leavers have got it tough now, with new paths having to be found,
COVID 19 will be remembered, years after it’s around.

Over 50,000 lives have been lost,
A stadium full and more.
More than the number killed in the blitz,
Another parallel with the war.

Ever changing plans as we learn,
About those at risk and those who spread alike.
And with that in mind there’ll be a controlled student return,
To minimise another spike.

Does this suggest the 2nd December won’t be the end?
And the tier system won’t soon resume?
On the science and data I guess it will depend,
But I suspect they’ll say it’s too soon.

Today’s little ode is more sombre than I generally write,
To acknowledge the severity we endure.
So please let’s all stay cautious and apart,
And so we don’t lose even more.

I underestimated the challenges of communicating with a mask,
With muffled voices and hidden faces it really is a task.
Never mind the things that need Face ID
It’s hard to prove that me is… well me!

First world problems, I know they are,
And it’s testament to technology for having come this far.
Just a little observation nonetheless,
But for now we’ll work around the added bit of stress.

Day 6! Almost a week in!
Exciting news of a vaccine has us all in a spin.
Does this mean a new normal is in sight?
I think that it quite possibly, maybe, might.

How long to roll out, nobody knows.
But it could mean an end to some lockdown woes.
It’s the best news yet, since lockdown began,
With baited breath we’ll await the next national plan.

 

Day 5 in England’s lockdown dawns as we awake,
Wales, meanwhile, is coming out of firebreak.
Will it have worked is yet to be seen,
But for an an annual TV show it will be the new scene.

I’m a celebrity TV producers have had to make a change,
Heading to Wales rather than Oz – A far closer range.
An old Conwy castle; a challenge of different sorts,
I think they’ll need more than their little red shorts!

An early morning walk over the narrow country track,
Pottered one way there, took a different amble back.
Popped to the local bakers, who seems to be trading well,
Disappointing consequence for me: no bread or cakes left to sell!

Doorstep natural beauties, I had the time to stop and see,
Today an 18th century graveyard became apparent to me.
Daily hectic lives means we often don’t see the past,
We forget about our history, by living far too fast.

So lockdown weekend one: so far all well and good,
I enjoyed my potter round my local neighbourhood.
Ask me again next week, I might not feel the same,
But to be so full of cheer, is certainly my aim.

A misty start to the day break,
Funny what turn the weather can take.
An eerie hangover from bonfire perhaps,
Lingering reminder of the fizzes and cracks.

It’s nice to see some autumnal tradition at least,
That not all signs of autumn have had to cease.
A flash moment of normality and fun,
And timely reminder: eventually lockdown will be done.

Midnight strikes and we’re all locked down,
Shutters fastened down all around town.
When will the bustle of high streets resume?
I’d like to think it would be quite soon.

Thank goodness for technology and the freedom it brings!
Keep commerce afloat, let the virtual tills ring!
For the local retailers for whom that route to market might not be there,
We’ll be with you when we can to show that we care.