Poetry in Lockdown

When you speak to children in lockdown, about being in lockdown, they reply with various responses.

Some talk about being bored, some are desperate to go back to school and some are just thrilled that they get to go to bed later.
Some have learnt to bake flapjacks, ride a bike without stabilisers, tell the time, juggle or make a cup of tea.
But what is always clear, is that they miss their friends.

I thought we'd have a change this week, so I've written a poem.....I suppose from the point of view of my eldest son.


"Can my friends come round to play?"

In to the classroom the two of us hurried,
And found Mrs Smith looking terribly worried.

"The school has to close by the end of the day.
The illness is spreading, it won't go away!"

Some started to smile thinking
'Wow! how exciting!
School is now closed which means no maths or writing!'

The classroom began to feel awfully warm,
jumping with glee in our school uniform.

Excited, I thought of fun things we would do.
But then they handed out lots of home learning to do.

When the bell rang at the end of the day
I asked if my friends could come round to play.

But mum replied "no" and we left the school playground.
And I realised then, we were about to be house bound.

My first days at home were different and fun.
Mum left us to it, whilst she got her work done.

And then as the first week came to an end,
I heard mum tell dad she'd go round the bend.

She was no longer working, it was what they called furlough.
Mum now was our teacher, cook, cleaner til who knows.

Each morning we all sat on stools at the bench
learning subtraction, division and French.
Right up until lunch, when we had learned,
enough for one day as far as mum was concerned.

Afternoons were the best with hours to play.
Until mum would announce "we're going walking today."

Walking was boring and made my legs ache.
Until mum gave us ideas of some things we could make.

Guns, flag poles, Harry Potter broomsticks.
Spades, dens, wizard wands and Pooh sticks.

Collages made from seeds, twigs or nettles
And vegan honey made from dandelion petals!

The school remained closed and as each week passes
the grandparents joined in running weekly video classes.

As Thursday comes round, we clap and make fuss.
To say thanks to key workers who look after us.

And to keep weekends different, mum organises a quiz
on Zoom with our friends and we have crisps and fizz.

Now it's got so sunny and hot
we play in a pool that our dad got.
But I can't wait for mum to say;
My friends can now come round to play.