I am a 81 year-old resident of [a retirement village] and during lockdown a Facebook page just for this village was arranged and proved to be a popular way in which residents could stay connected. We are an independent village so all activities are organised by the residents. Sharing photos, comments, music and YouTube clips helped lighten the day. A competition of artwork on letterboxes using recyclable materials was a winner, people using their imagination and colourful materials to create their masterpieces. And of course the teddies and other loved toys on display in the windows were lovely.
I found that writing poems relating to our circumstances within the village helped me and was appreciated by the residents. I have attached these, which follows the start of the lockdown to the final days. We were very happy to get together again in our social groups although some residents have taken their time to get close to friends and neighbours, especially those with health problems.
We have a lovely group of ukulele players from within the village and the wider community who meet here on a Saturday morning, and what joy music of all kinds was for the 60 or so to be together again with our tutor. Certainly helps promote a good feeling.
Poems:
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE. First week done
Stay home, stay safe is the message we hear each day
There is an unseen virus lurking out there, let's keep it at bay
Our daily routine has been affected, it's taking time to adjust
It's hurting many people, many business's going bust.
We may be past our 70's, considered 'old' by those in charge
But others are doing wonders taking care of us at large.
The supermarket workers keeping shelves stocked with goods
Staff delivering ordered food, we will not go hungry, that is understood.
We can walk the empty, quiet streets that are within our gates
Greet friends and neighbours, they may not be our best mates
But it's surprising how interesting peoples lives can be
When you take the time to talk and share
Either on Facebook, by phone, or just getting out there.
Inside the house the silver is polished, the furniture dusted and aglow
The garden is almost weed-free, cupboards rearranged, items neatly in their rows
Old receipts and papers sorted and committed to the bin
With so much spare time each day, where do we begin?
Be thankful for our warm homes, our families and our friends
What's happening now around the world Is hard to comprehend,
Our village life-style and all it offers gives us a feeling of security
And we will adjust to these difficult times because of our maturity.
One day soon
While in lockdown so many things in my home have gone unused
They sat lonely and neglected, if human, would have felt totally confused
My car, for instance, sits in the garage looking very grim
It took me to the shops, the beach, or the pool for a swim
One day soon it's lights will shine, there will be a glow upon its face
As it slowly backs out the door to join the human race
My handbag has sat on the table, its contents all in the dark
About the change in circumstances that is keeping it apart
Its sides are folded over, looking tired, not upright and alert
The cards and cash within it not feeling wanted, and it hurt
It's been my travelling companion so many times in the past
It's looking forward to being hugged again, it will have a blast
But that can't be said for all the many things within my cosy home
Unused it not a word they have had to endure alone
The pots and pans, pantry food, and frozen leftovers have given me
Hours (and hours etc etc ) of useful work while on my own
Over coming weeks as daily life returns and we no longer have to abstain
Me, my car and my handbag will be ready to face the outside world again.
The time has come
The time has come for me to venture beyond the village gate
I'm not sure that I'm ready to face the changes that await
For weeks now I have been grateful for others to help me out
The staff, shopping volunteers, my neighbours,
"Thank You" I want to shout
But I'm keen to do the things that have usually made my day
It's just that it will have to be done now in a different way.
I'm not a fast food kind of person, I like to cook at home
There are others who enjoy someone else's cooking for a change
They love the food of other cultures as along the street they roam.
Looking for a food outlet that hasn't got a queue.
There is the saying that 'variety is the spice of life'
Perhaps it's time to join with them and try some fast food too!
'Click and collect' has become a new term in our daily life
Be it at the supermarket, hardware store, restaurants and more
This unwelcome virus has got a lot to answer for.
I look forward to once again grab a trolley and wander down the aisle
Sit down with friends for coffee and chat for a while, then
Pack up my shopping in an old reusable bag and
Smile, Smile, Smile.
