Lexical Lockdown: poems about binge-watching, exercise mishaps, fridge-surfing and other pandemical pursuits

By Melanie Haagman

It’s the year of 2020_x000D_
Which no one will forget,_x000D_
When we fought a lethal virus_x000D_
That posed a deadly threat._x000D_
Mel rhymes her way through lockdown,_x000D_
It enables her to cope,_x000D_
And in her witty verses_x000D_
Spreads positivity and hope,

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Conrad Press
• Release date: Jul 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781839780844

Book preview

grateful.

March 4th 2020

A few months ago, in China, Wuhan,

Is where COVID-19 all began,

Quickly it spread further afield,

Each day new cases are being revealed.

Before now it was seen in animals alone

And the way it’s spread remains unknown.

It’s possible someone consumed a bat, raw,

And this has caused Corona to soar.

A pandemic is imminent it’s very clear,

And we are plagued by worry and fear.

Hand-washing to the birthday theme twice

Seems to be the very best advice...

Antibacterial gel sold out in each store,

With promises that they’ll order some more.

So we buy wipes, soap and tissue,

Attempting normality in the midst of the issue.

March 11th 2020

Neurotic or not it has to be said,

Being in public fills me with dread,

Sniffing and sneezing, a cough and a splutter,

‘Stay at home,’ I frustratingly mutter.

But people ignore the figures and facts,

Choose to be blind to the wider impacts…

Economic implications before the elderly’s health,

‘They’ only care about the country’s wealth.

But washing our hands is all they can say,

As the virus doubles in cases each day.

Some may continue to reject and deny,

Making out that this is all a lie.

Scare mongering and media hype,

Laughing it off as they carelessly swipe.

The evidence is there, yet our actions remain,

Isn’t this ludicrous and inhumane?

Prevent not react, it’s simpler, surely?

But that’s seen as acting prematurely.

So many deal with this by stockpiling,

Whilst simultaneously their germs are compiling.

If we wash our hands it will all dissipate,

But it’s gone too far and now it’s too late.

March 20th 2020

Everything feels so surreal,

The roads are vacant too,

The people isolating

Are unsure what to do.

The shops are eerie places,

More people there than stock,

Panic buying mindlessly,

Please don’t join the flock.

This won’t help the problem

Of the virus in itself,

With less of this behaviour

We’d have