2020 Kaleidoscope Vision

It hit with ferocious speed with its damage felt both far and near,

An unknown virus was travelling fast, generating dread and fear.

We watched in dismay as everything changed in the blink of an eye,

While the sick and elderly prayed that they would not be the ones to die.

We were told to adapt to all the changes and follow social distancing,

Rumors had proved right the impending health crisis would be menacing.

Baffled scientists around the world began researching for an effective cure,

While innuendos flew far and wide, exactly whose intentions were not pure?

Within a week our nation’s thriving economy was thrown into total disaster,

And instant changes with consumer spending could not have happened faster.

Restaurants and pubs were the first to close down and given very little warning,

With instant job losses looming the seriousness of the matter was quickly dawning.

They closed all the gyms for fear of the considerable risk of spreading infection,

Some improvised with hula hoops and sandbags while others chose defection.

The rumors that bottle shops would be next to close made Aussies nervous,

A collective sigh was shared by all when it was deemed an essential service.

Panicked hoarding of toilet paper caused a national shortage that happened very fast,

We emptied the shelves of flour and rice as we weren’t sure how long it would last.

Before long we were in a nationwide lock-down and were instructed not to go out,

The general consensus was the situation would be grim and we were not to muck about.

Relatives mourning death were dealt a cruel blow as attendance at funerals had to be low,

Brides and grooms with up and coming nuptials were also dealt a devastating blow.

Overnight the roads and pathways became eerily empty no matter what the time,

Brusquely we were informed that going outside could effectively be committing a crime.

Quarantine agreed with some as they embraced the family unit and enjoyed their time away,

After they cooked and cleaned they settled in with a good book to keep their worries at bay.

Others worried and stressed due to the intrusion to their routine and structure,

Struggling with the isolation they complained they were prisoners under capture.

For six long weeks the country ground to a halt and the unemployment it did grow,

Balancing the books became a real struggle and everyone’s confidence grew low.

It was agreed how the ripple effect from Covid-19 would most certainly be dire,

When the pandemic is finally called over there would be little that will inspire.

As a country Australia fared well and the spread of contagion is now deemed low,

Slowly we are re-emerging out the other end but the transition has been slow.

Most of our borders stay closed and travelling long distance is not allowed,

We are instructed to adhere to strict rules that won’t lead to a crowd.

The football has finally resumed with cardboard crowds and weird cheer in a can,

Their doing their best to bring back normal but it’s enough to test the most devoted fan.

There will be no cinemas or bands and there’s definitely no standing at bars,

For those who do venture out their excused for feeling as if they’re on Mars.

Temperature checks before entry; leave your name and number at the door,

If you’ve downloaded the Government app they promise it will be less of a chore.

Some shops and restaurants are starting to open, although with barely a splash.

And with the financial situation as it currently is nobody has any spare cash.

For many it’s time to put away the clippers and pay a visit to their local hairdresser,

It’s a great moment for some to be passing the baton on to the trusty successor.

The kids have finally returned to school drawing an end to weeks of home learning,

Many parents are overjoyed the pressure is off and hope there will be no returning.

The last four months of disruption has left its toll on so many different facets of life,

It’s hardly a wonder that so many people now find themselves in all matters of strife.

All around there are business casualties that had been hanging by a thread,

Already struggling to survive shops now lay empty and their owners have fled.

There are a few things that have emerged from the darkness to shine bright,

Skies are now bluer, the water runs clearer and the stars still shine every night.

We have no choice but to adjust and adapt to the new world that we now face,

It’s important now more than ever that we strive to accept these changes with grace.

Poem created on the 5th June, 2020.