In the first of a new series, we are featuring poems by Tom Retchford, poet-in-residence at Falmouth Art Gallery.
He has been writing a collection of poems that relate to the current events that we are experiencing because of coronavirus.
Tom explains: "It is called Coronology because it is a play on words in chronology order of the events that are happening to the country as the situation is unfolding.
"It relates to my personal experiences, things seen on the news and what I have seen when I am having a solitary walk."
The first poem, entitled Fear, was written on March 15 and is below.
There lies in the atmosphere a sense of panic
Everyone runs to the shops, manic
In light of the pandemic
Everyone for themselves
Only themselves
No toilet rolls on the supermarket shelves
Rush in with the trolleys and the bags
People coming out with shopping that makes their arms sag
There's not left a price tag
Hand soap, gel
Sales for shops going well
For the greater good? Time will tell
The death toll rises and cases by the day
Don't overthink, it's not that bad, we'll be okay
But people are scared, by the news reports each day
Lockdowns
Show downs
We're all acting like clowns
In times like this, we finally see the true image of life
When something goes wrong, it causes immense strife
Stay at home, don't go out unless you have to, words that cut like a knife
Fear the worst
People we love to be lost
Who do we put first?
We are all waiting for the lockdown to commence
Everyone frigid, stressed and tense
Afraid of stocks running out, hence
The shop shelves, devoid of stock
In supermarkets, all the customers flock
And raid the delivery truck
Is this the start of something new in our everyday lives?
Realising we are no longer just busy bee bodies,buzzing around in our little hives?
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