from member, Pauline Rhodes
Remember when you could leave the house
And NOT act like a frightened mouse?
Recollect when you went to places
And could see ALL the people’s faces?
Do I want to mix with people – YES!
And again dress up to impress.
Others, housebound and depressed
Dream of getting up and DRESSED!
When did you last see your guy
Leave the house wearing a tie?
My daily make-up regime
Once so important to my scheme,
Now slides down the slippery slope
Why bother when there’s little hope?
My haircut plans have all been doomed
When will I again feel well groomed?
Once I could pick and choose
Which outfit, with which shoes?
All the colours and styles I cherish
Now all they seem to do is perish!!
With what the future holds in store,
Why would I want to buy some more?
You wore your selection with pride,
Now your taste you would deride.
All the restrictions make you lazy
Inactivity drives you crazy!
Covid is turning us into slobs!
We could end up all being blobs!
Nowadays sometimes I snooze –
It helps to while away the blues.
As despondent at the screen I stare
I want to pack a suitcase and take it ANYWHERE!
I know we keep in touch with friends
Using all these modern trends
Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp, phone calls,
Whilst incarcerated within four walls.
It’s NOT the same as BEING there.
What EVERYONE would like to share
Is sitting round a table, I think,
Enjoying a convivial meal or drink.
You might think my issues fretty,
My aspirations might seem petty.
You could also think me very shallow,
Now all my hopes are lying fallow!
If this poem seems a little flippant
I wish I could have made it different!
A ‘Normal’ world again would be bliss
What wouldn’t we all give for this?
So what do I miss most of all?
Besides which ALL desires pall?
Its cuddles with my family that I miss
And to give my grandchild a great big KISS!
© Pauline Rhodes