Portobello Lockdown

Where the crowds of folk once mingled
People move in ones and twos
(Not before a sunny day put
virus sharing in the news)

Now we swerve away from others
Dystopia in a seaside town
When next will I share a meal
Have a hug, let barriers down?

Mind the time when greatest worry’s
Empty shelves with naught to buy?
Virus cries from every surface
‘touch me not, or you could die!’

Every day the dead are numbered
Other people’s near and dear
Numbers that are always growing
Is Grim Reaper coming here?

*

Virus spread while leaders blustered
Don’t they, too, see Italy?
Older folk ‘will have to die’ for
Liberal economy

Private enterprise can’t help us
Public spending’s been set free
Yet, the need for greed still gives us
Growing inequality

While I work in lonely comfort
Others cannot pay the rent
Apply for help through broken phone lines
Forced to graft where rules are bent

*

World is focused on a virus
Still there’s food for gods of war
Gaza, Syria and Yemen
Now more dangerous than before

Sanctions hit the weakest hardest
Where’s the thought for refugees?
Prisoners are dead men walking
Slums and bustees feed disease

Perfect time for profiteering
Spivs and fraudsters seize the hour
Perfect moment for a fuhrer
To assume dictator’s power

BUT

Parasites must not define us
People thrive on empathy
Neighbourhoods have rediscovered
Meaning in humanity

What will come after the deluge?
Can’t afford to wait and see
Build on all that’s best among us
Make the world we want to be