A poem written by Jacqueline Courtenay
A Virus We Could See is short poem about Covid-19 pandemic and in particular the disbelief that has come with it e.g., anti-vax, anti-masks and anti-isolation sentiment. This poem questions whether these ideas and attitudes around what is clearly a deadly virus have been able to manifest as a result of the virus being invisible and poses the idea of a virus we could see. An indisputable presence, one we could see from afar and move away from. Would things then be simpler? Would we have overcome it by now.
A Virus We Could See If Covid-19 were a virus we could see Its fumes would have a colour Forming a cloud that gently floats above those affected Perhaps then we’d know where we ought to and ought not to be If Covid-19 were a virus we could see With, as I’ve said, a colour to it Maybe even a slight smell to it too Perhaps we’d all wear our masks, on this we’d agree If Covid-19 were virus we could see Possibly there’d be no naysayers Or anti-vaccinators or non-mask wearers Who thwart the efforts of scientists and researchers in laboratories If Covid-19 were a virus we could see Perhaps we’d rarely go out And do everything possible to avoid its clear and obvious path Dare I say, by now, from its clutch we might even be free But that is just wishful thinking Because even if Covid-19 were a virus we could see Would we believe all that we hear? From the likes of Sky, CNN and the BBC? Mankind, I mean the ways of our human nature aren’t simple to predict or even guarantee Unfortunately Covid-19 isn’t a virus we can see And like all viruses before it It is an invisible presence Yet whose existence, for the benefit of our existence, we must believe. Oh but how I wish Covid-19 were a virus we could see As terrifying as the thought might be I’d be glad to know where it is So I could avoid it like the plague it truly is -End-
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Thanks for reading,
J
Jacqueline Courtenay 