Tuesday Poem - It's Not Covid

2021 came in, heralding a new beginning

A tentative step into the beyond

The year post lockdown, a shining beacon of missed chances realised

Of missed family reunited and lost opportunities regained

Of everything being not Covid

The first time I saw and hugged my mum, I cried

And that gathering of family and friends

In the park, for my 40th

The best day ever, full of laughter and love

All the fresh air made sure it was not Covid

I won the fight for my autistic son

After months of delays and complications

Now he gets the help in school he needs

Now I can move on to the next fight, and the next

A shaky breath taken in the in-between of not Covid

Two new books were released. I am a writer, you know?

Important stuff as everyone else was so productive

Everyone was doing and learning and creating in lockdown

I was just surviving, hanging on by a literal thread

Making sure none of us were taken by Covid

I’m still owed money, six months now

I ring and they say it’s a backlog

Try again in another month’s time

Another month’s worth of money owed

Another month of scraping by but at least it’s not Covid

And scraping is what my knackered knee is doing

Three years waiting so far to be told

A knee replacement is needed but

Too young and besides, there’s a three-year wait

But console yourself, at least it’s not Covid

Still, we had good weather, didn’t we?

And the crowds came out and we only flinched

For the first few weeks of so many people in one place

And the kids were fine

They didn’t get sick, just that one time, not Covid

And I gained all the weight I lost

And my back went into spasm for a few weeks

And I missed a few things

While the kids stayed in, glued to their screens again

Lock downed once more by me, not Covid

It’s hard

Hard for momentum to swing you back round

Hard to make time for family and friends

Hard to be bothered to get up and smile

Hard to breathe, but it’s not Covid

That’s the takeaway this year I feel

Through bright spots and low times

Through emptiness and maniacal laughter

Of hugs and isolation, silence and cacophony

At least we get to say, it’s not Covid

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.