DIARY OF A VIRUS. Gregory J. McKenzie
MARCH
1st WHEN HELPS OUTSIDE
8th OH! THAT VIRUS
15th COMING OF THE P WORD
22nd PANIC
29th UNCONQUERED SPIRIT
31st SOLIDARITY
1st. WHEN HELPS OUTSIDE
China came the scary news,
Wet market virus blues;
Like ancestor viruses SARS,
But fewer effective infection bars.
“Look out” was late call from WHO,
Great chance of losing your dough.
Cases double then quickly quadruples,
No pretext of any scruples.
World leaders not impressed,
No ready to just let it rest.
Some downplay potency and scope,
Unwilling to appear to be anyone's dope.
Denial common for way too long,
Official message same old song.
8th. OH!! THAT VIRUS
Pathetic response saying it wont last,
World travelers saw it happen so fast.
Epidemic named but no one shamed,
Waves of infection see countries blamed.
Tracking the hard won learning curve,
Politicians so ignorant boy what a nerve.
Daily lists of infections controlled,
Concerned about impact on the old.
Many leaders lose moral ground,
Inaction abounds as bodies are found.
Experts taking matters out of their hands,
With proactive separate national plans.
Now comes fear and panic buying,
Citizens sure leaders lying.
15th. COMING OF THE P WORD
Deaths mount way too fast,
Countries wonder if it will last.
Media shock waves hit us all,
Outbreaks stun and appall.
Who next for an epidemic assault,
So small but deadly out of the vault.
Doors shut by home detention,
Unwelcome tourist get a mention.
Borders shut out cluster region and zone,
Cut off from contact except by phone.
Mantra is TEST! TEST! TEST!
Queues too long for any rest.
Residents think its all so absurd,
With coming of that stark P word.
22nd. PANIC
Work routine now lost to fear,
Losing all sense common that year.
Hoarding sets the strange move,
To path of a morbid groove.
Humans so wild like in a stampede,
Bleating from politicians given no heed.
Denial reigning supreme,
Politicians lost in some bad dream.
Actions are aimed at the locals.
Tourists never included in vocals.
Told to get tested then self isolate,
Foreign needs just have to wait.
Humor is black armed banded at best,
Angry wounds abound during this test.
29th. UNCONQUERED SPIRIT
Homo Sapiens arose long ago,
Dominating others moving too slow.
Lands of heat embrace the cold,
Seasonal beings roaming so bold.
Fire came with them so bright,
Massive changes towards great height.
Tradition culture morality and rights,
Built up to bask in their lights.
Two steps forward one step back,
Rat race suddenly run off the track.
Violent storms volcanoes and quakes,
Generations show they had what it takes.
Thousand of years proved their worth,
Ideas inventions from great minds sprung forth.
31st. SOLIDARITY
Out of chaos comes action,
Resilience courage gets traction.
Fellowship when whole race attacked,
Enemy mercilessly tracked.
World responds with one voice,
New reality gives no other choice.
Draconian controls even lock downs,
Universal stop to looking like clowns.
Seizing control by washing hands,
Nurturing fellowship across all lands.
Singing from balconies stuck at home,
Comforting those unable to roam.
No retreat no surrender of their city,
Never asking for any pity.
APRIL
1st. NO APRIL'S FOOL
4th. TALLY HO
9th. DECEIT
14th. LOVE AWAY
18th. HERO WORSHIP
26th. NOT FORGETTING
1st. NO APRIL'S FOOL
When many things are lost,
A larrikan spirit counts not the cost;
Lack of contact that gave it bite,
Well honored day becomes shite.
Fools hoisted upon jester's wings,
Social cloud that illness brings.
Midday rule forgotten or ignored,
None pranked nor bored.
Last roasting some gullible mate,
Social media focused on racial hate.
Sensing traditional running gag,
World lost in time lag.
This year it will just have to wait,
The plague of fear to abate.
4th. TALLY HO!
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