The World's Only Crowdsourced Spoken Word on the Impact of Covid....

I know that is a bold claim - but until someone proves me wrong I'm sticking with it....

At the height of the pandemic I went to my network and asked them what it was that they had lost, what did they miss or grieve as a result of Covid. I got quite the variety of answers and put them together into this poem......

My intention was to write a follow up on positive lessons from the pandemic but I didn't get around to it.

Anyway, here it is - enjoy....

The Greek Philosopher had some wise advice

You can’t step into the same river twice

Though being able to do so now would be nice

But Covid has made us all pay a price

The world you left is not where you’ll return

There is so much new we all have to learn

so I asked people what they’ve had to leave

behind - the things they’ll grieve

One speaker a true mental health sage

missed sharing his message from the stage

One felt they’d lost a direction, a goal

Losing the purpose that nourishes the soul

Another the knock of the client on their door

A sound Covid ensures she’ll her no more

Many missed gathering with family and friends

Zoom’s okay but when each call ends

We are left wishing for deeper connection

An unmediated means to show affection

Indeed what people missed most was a simple hug

Damn Covid for turning a human feature into a bug

Because touch and connections are a human need

Community the flower that grows from that seed

Many missed the energy other people provide

When gathering together side by side

Some miss walking down a busy street

Without having to fear everyone they meet

Looking forward to when we can simply greet

And not worry about those damn six feet

Not seeing people smile from behind their mask

Making human connection a Samsonian task

Fear fills the gulf between embrace and salutation

Mourning the loss of touch - of skin’s sensation

While your mask protects me from your breath

The sense of touch dies a little death

For those of us living in foreign lands

We grieve a freedom snatched from our hands

I long to just hop on a plane

Fly back where I was born - be home again

And grieve for those whom we hold dear

Who struggle with loneliness, uncertainty, sadness, fear

Having to follow social distancing rigidly

has robbed us all of serendipity

Of casual encounters with our friends

Of conversations without end

Strolling casually to a local restaurant to dine

Good conversation, a glass of fine wine

Missing the hi's. the hello's and the how do you do's

Now matter how hard the day they helped us get through

I miss Sunday afternoon at a cafe with friends

Now each day into the others blends

Missing the sound of kids laughing at recess

The ring of the bell - the howl of distress

For some a simple the loss of a haircut causes pain

Wondering when their locks will be styled again

One person missed her choir and singing

Each person’s voice in the others’ ears ringing

That sense of joy in harmony

I’m here for you and you’re here for me

One mother shared the sadness of her daughter turning eight

Hoping for party - friends, painted faces, cake on a plate

A gathering so important for this little playmate

With in person events not allowed

Many miss the energy of the crowd

That might be as a yoga teacher

Or at church your local preacher

I miss being a live conference chair

It’s just not the same without the people there

And some of course have felt the ultimate pain

The loss of a loved one - never again

But Covid is an even worse thief

He doesn’t just take lives, he’s stolen grief

Taken away the power of gathering for relief

Yearning for a time when we can hug again

Human touch helping deal with the pain

So we are left feeling like one hand clapping

Covid has been so strength sapping

Some of the things we will get back

Others - well we will always feel the lack

But there are many lessons we have learned

And many of them have been hard earned

I’ll share some now for a final reflection

Above all we’ve learned the power of human connection

We learned we are all part of a community

There’s value to be had in herd immunity

We learned to value those doing work that is essential

Humanity can’t be measured with a professional credential

And everyone should have the right to fulfil their potential

Leaders play an important part

And from now on you have to lead from the heart

We learned hero’s come in all shapes and sizes

And that life is really full of surprises

And with this thought then I’ll conclude

Yes, we learned the power of gratitude

One lost faith we’d create a future that just and fair

A society built on a duty to care

But Covid 19 won’t scare us straight

We won’t find a vaccine for fear or hate

We need to turn grief to actions

Create a community not factions

We need to build a world that’s better, not the same, not worse

And that will be the subject of my next verse