Stand By or Stand Aside

Another poem that my friend Paul from Down Under and I wrote together at the very beginning of the pandemic.

Staring out of the window at an

empty street resembling a scene

from an apocalyptic movie.

The silence is deafening.

Window shades are drawn

revealing ghostly silhouettes

moving from room to room.  

Seeking refuge behind closed doors,

the only real safe place if you are fortunate

not to be living on the streets.

Guarding against an invisible enemy

that preys on the old and those with

compromised immune systems.

An enemy that does not discriminate

against color, gender, social status, or creed.

Her voice heavy with grief, confusion,

disbelief carried on the winds across the Pacific.

Maybe there is comfort for her for me.

We are not suffering alone. There is consolation

in our shared isolation. Madness of selfishness,

ugly brawling over toilet rolls, hoarding,

cruelly denying those living from day to day.

They can’t buy from shelves stripped bare. 

The empty shelves a severe silent warning

that an impending disaster is about to strike.

Survival instincts take over not unlike those

of a mother bear scrounging for food for her cubs

before the start of a cold unforgiving winter.

Driven by fear and uncertainty the public scrambles

to take care of loved ones in the only manner

in which they know how.

This omnipresent enemy lurks inside unsuspecting

bodies causing worldwide panic. People sit glued to

their television sets, smart phones, and computers

hungry for the latest breaking news,

desperate to hear words of comfort and support

to ease the ever growing feelings of anxiety

and helplessness. 

Cancer of inaction we rage against you.

Capitalists, Socialists and those between,

prepare your sarcophagi. Death is your prize.

Silence, empty slogans and ideologies,

booming gongs of emptiness are measuring

our path to oblivion. Incandescent is our anger.

We have been betrayed. Those in whom we placed

our trust have abandoned us.

We now demand that your lies be

silenced, that you restore trust.

Stand up, rise to your responsibility

or stand aside.

Author's Note

In the beginning of the pandemic disbelief is soon replaced by fear and a strong need for protection. Although social distancing is a major component in battling the spread of the virus, we need each other more than ever for comfort and support.
Sharing notes and writing down our thoughts together was a very cathartic
experience.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

This an incredible comment on the pandemic; you cover all the grief, feeling of abandonment, fear, loneliness, Day after day, the same silence, increased feelings of suffocation, lock- down, panic, anger. In these circumstances, which you point out, people need each other for comfort and communication. The pandemic covers al of us, no matter of race ,color, religion, ethnicity.....we. all must struggle together, not apart. Soon, we may see he light. Well done!
Best, Betty

[Dara]

It is great to see you again Betty. Who would have guessed it would have lasted this long. I feel like our lives will forever more be felt as pre and then post pandemic. I hope you continue to stay safe and healthy throughout!

[Betty Hermelee]

It's great to see you again Dara, feel lucky to be out and about more than before!!! You stay safe too!
Warm regards, B

[barleygirl]

This is one of the best things I've seen written about the pandemic in all these months with many people pouring out tons of stuff about it! First off, this is a detailed historian's account of how things went down & you include stuff I had already forgotten about. Even tho you detail this event like a reporter, the writing is also creative & full of spunky strong analogies & turns of phrase. Most of all, I love that you present the picture without painting in any of the political BS that constantly rages these days (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dara]

Thank you so much. To think this was written in the beginning of the pandemic with no idea it would grow to such horrifying proportions. Doubly sad because so many deaths, we know now, could have been avoided. Australia has faired a hundred times better than we have as well because the majority has agreed to follow the safety guidelines. May you continue to stay safe and in good health my friend!!

[barleygirl]

It takes LEADERSHIP to get people to WANT to wear masks & take other precautions, rather than painting it as an infringement of freedom!

[Dara]

So very true!

[Samuel Dickens]

Indeed, these are trying, unusual times, and you've described it plainly. I guess the only plus may be the reprieve we're giving the poor, ravaged earth.

[Dara]

That is so true. The images from space showing the difference in the air quality in some places alone are very telling. All we can do is sit tight and pray it will soon pass. Stay safe Sam! :-)