The New Norm

During lock down, I had many mums report to me that working from home gave them a chance to connect with their children while they were also at home.

I sent this poem off to the West Sussex County times and it was published on the 30th of April 2020

Are you rushing around again? What is that doing to your world?

The New Norm…..

The world was too busy, we were all rushing around

There were lots of cheap flights and some for a pound

The sun came out sometimes but mostly it rained

Global warming through farming were said to be blamed

The parents were working in far away lands

Spending hundreds on petrol to meet their demands

Or queuing to stand in the underground trains

to go to the office or fly on the planes

We met in Cafes and went to see friends

And fancy boutiques all setting new trends

Fridays down the pub, to chill after our week

London barmen giving us tongue and a cheek

Children not having much time for free play

Every minute was listed for each child every day

7 start breakfast clubs with more clubs after school

gymnastics and karate and then off to swim pool

We picked up the germs and brought them back home

We sometimes got ill but it was part of the norm

This was our usual and no one thought twice

little we knew it would come with a price

The Germs grew bigger and stronger one day

and travelled the world with a cough and it’s spray

We weren’t feeling ill , it was tricky at first

they hid in our throats and made us feel thirst

so they covered each town as we were rushing around

regardless of whether there’s a cure to be found

The powers to be told us enough was enough

We’re shutting the schools and it wasn’t a bluff

You can’t eat at restaurants, no pubs and no travel

No gatherings either, we can’t do with the hassle

you can’t hug your elders or go round for your tea

Social distancing in place, apart you must be.

Now we’re all missing that fine wining and dining

but each cloud has a shadow and they say silver lining

We’re playing old games with our children at home

and learning to be barbers with, scissors and comb

Communities coming to the aid of less able

Shopping for food that they put on their table

We’re checking on friends we don’t normally do

And have prayed for Boris who went to ICU

The Blue bells are out and gardens are pretty

It’s tougher for those who live in the city.

But People are kinder and the skies are clear

The sun is now shining, what a strange old year.

Here is a snapshot of the West Sussex County times and my first official publish on the 30th of April 2020