It started with confusion
We weren’t locking down
So we carried on regardless
Which, with hindsight, was a ridiculous act of delusion
Then came fear
The rules were strict, yet vague
We had to adhere
How long for?
It was all far from clear
Days blurred into weeks
And by May, well, it felt like a different year
We could no longer hug
Just like that
Pulled away from us
Like a rug we hadn’t even noticed was there
Each visit online felt like an attack
But not everything we saw was a fact
People would bluster, shout, argue, over-react
Then came overload
At the never ending news
Too much to process, too much to download
I hit mute, mute, mute
And slowed
Slowed and retreated
I ran away, at home
With cooking, books and art
Busy busy busy
Just trying not to fall apart
And finally came hope
Faith in others keeping us safe
Those who try to collaborate, educate, elevate
Hope is not all we have
But it helps
So I hold it tight
As it is all I can hold
Until we can all hold each other again.
By Lisa O'Hare