The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 1
up early cats can’t wait as it’s spring light earlier every day never mind mug of tea smartphone on shit forgot to plug in last night Netflix numbed and tv on standby this corona thing will put up my energy bills compensating for my reduced co2 footprint as i can’t go out nothing to do and the shops only have things nobody wants like bull’s pizzles in brine where do they eat those i’d like to know southern europe i bet no wonder no they got the virus before us it all started with eating bats in china i heard no accounting for taste fuck me some taste i’d rather eat fried dog’s turds not really i couldn’t think of anything else off the top of my head and i’ll be off my bloody head if this goes on for too long switch on tv corona corona trump corona italy corona fuck me is nothing else happening in the world thank god i don’t live in uk any more then it would be corona corona boris corona cummings corona thanks for small mercies anyway switch on pc well saving money on going out so let’s order delicacies as well as staples from the online groceries lets’s start good selection i’m up to 150 euros already well its not every day that you buy champagne and caviar now they can bring it round fuck me they cant deliver until mid April what the fuck is the use of that who are all those silly twats blocking the logistic system a fucking disgrace they probably bought all the toilet paper and opsata where’s the bloody spell check when you want it pasta if I see any of those buggers in the street with two jumbo packs of bog rolls I won’t be responsible for my actions all wearing masks too probably nicked them from the a and e solidarity is the first to go down the plughole when the shit hits the fan to coin a phrase so pc on and facebook shit its all breaking news corona corona trump corona italy corona uk corona corona fuck that bandwidth seems to be reduced its all those wankers on Pornhub the whole day and night give it a break mate my videos are almost in slow motion not my idea of sex like more action doesn’t turn me on but no accounting for taste oh well open a bottle of white with the wife its cauliflower cheese tonight someone overlooked in the supermarket but plenty of riesling in the cellar until mid April then it’ll be apocalypse 2.0. can’t wait god knows what will come next i won’t bother to guess ciao
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 2
by request
partly in jest
and occasional derision
i’ve taken the decision
to alter my vision
and in my current state of isolation
to mine and others’ consternation
change my form of presentation
avoiding sensation and alliteration
in mitigation
that doesn’t mean a flood of punctuation
i’m not here to offer general elation
or rehabilitation
or feed sensation
that would compromise my situation
demand my constant consideration
and lead to unnecessary explanation
which would at least dampen my motivation
so now
i’ve had enough of ation
now to ution
my previous contribution
sought to seek a solution
to viral-mental evolution
that violates my constitution
there are times
when i will resort to rhymes
but at popular behest
from someone in devon i’ll
break up the flow
here we go
but i digress
i was anticipating cauliflower cheese
but got patties instead
i cant cook for the life of me
but she who must at all cost be obeyed
turns up trumps when
improvisation is called for and
fridge and larder contents must be utilised
the fresh stock prioritised
and imaginatively realised
tastily presented with
all sorts of herbs and spices and those bottles
of yizo and muzo from asian supermarkets smelling of bangkok
or is it hongkong i haven’t been to either
well the wine was approved of and that’s always positive
a lidl riesling they have a good kellermeister
plenty in the cellar but I said that yesterday
don’t want to give the impression I’m losing it
as some have implied
where was i
quite a nose for a good dry which goes down
well with almost anything and blueberries with homemade yoghurt
i have to set the alarm to turn it off
ten hours you forget otherwise
and its always in
the middle of a thriller well
we have our own life and death thriller these days
so talk shows complement netflix and prime but
its mostly the same people in different chairs well apart these days
and no audience
i slept well but it was groundhog day again
six thirty and the cat on my chest
change from trampling on my crown jewels
which reminds me i hope they disinfected windsor
before she moved across
high risk group and all not to mention phil
must be hard for her but they’ve had separate suites for years
i wish i could stop her that’s
the cat not queenie sleeping all day
and match my biorhythm but
that’s like asking for guinness on st davids day
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 3
warm cat’s breath
open reluctant eye
digital display
05:33
click
05:44
wet nose
creep under duvet
trampling begins
groundhog day
eyes half shut
careful steps
cats’ tails are sensitive
bowls filled up,
more steps tentative
yorkshire tea to vitalise
turn on telly
sighs
corona corona trump corona italy corona spain corona france germany wherever i give up is nothing else happening in the world thank god i don’t live in uk any more then it would be corona corona boris corona cummings corona gove and raab no not raab he couldn’t deputise for a punctured condom
turn off tv
turn on pc
all the bloody same but personal this time
where are the refugees
in greece
still starving
and cold
corona there or not
who gives a jot
pay off the turks
and send them back
to find the golden fleece
it was there somewhere
ask Jason and the astronauts
great band name i'll patent it
that’s the least
if our worries now
charity and elbowing begin at home
and the folks in milan and rome
can look after themselves
coffin convoys included
sun is out
people about
far too many
on the market
my next target
don mask and gloves
which no one loves
queue for farm eggs
and beg
the man behind me
to keep away
but what does he say
you’re finicky today
and doesn’t move away
that’s enough
i’m off
east west home’s best
don’t want that covid on my chest
keep healthy
i’m giving up drinking
for a month
err i mean
i’m giving up
full stop
drinking for a month
full stop
or till end of days
whichever is painless
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 4
yes groundhog day with cats
nothing changes
except the fine timing
click
05:38
with much tugging
of duvet and
toe-nibbling
protection
an hour passed
now
time to write a letter to those
responsible
or irresponsible
dear god
dear ursula
dear angela
no
share public or on your timeline
yes
we’re all to blame
somehow
or if not
it’ll be all our own fault finally
whatever we do
or think
wise as always
says kurt vonnegut
we're terrible animals i think that the earth's immune system is trying to get rid of us
as well it should
What next
Ask the humanist
the right to live is overriding
but the echo chamber like
it’s the economy stupid
open for easter
a homemade American disaster
when the death toll
overtakes the infected poll
that’s trouble
asking for it
but quarantine
if properly applied
worldwide
could provide relief
i have
surprisingly
a nomination
or two
for isolation
let’s begin with
rhymes with forrest gump
d***** *****p
or russian first name
rhymes with doris
b***s
fill the blanks without an error
*
*
*
*
etcetera
time to think of tomorrow
and time that we now borrow
not least those of advancing age
but that’s another page
another day
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 5
click
groundhog day with cats
and groundhog moment themes
like memes
boomeranging through the net
and returning on whatsapp with
that recycled arrow that says
i didn’t invent
this myself
got it from a friend
from a friend
from a friend
from a friend
from a friend
or was it from you
but that’s ok
it’s groundhog day
like that facebook thread
that’s never fully read
so the comments are on repeat
a herd of sheep bleat
like love laugh sad hate
so the users rate
every debate
good or bad
ad
infinitum
that’s ok for some
but for others
just not right
as their time is infinite
seventy years with ten ? to go
and when you want time to slow
locked up for three months or more
no chance to explore
or do your bucket list
and you ask yourself
like hermann hesse
if this goes on for another two years
how many will i have left
bereft
sans teeth sans eyes sans taste sans everything
as you like it
I expected better
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 6
as if things weren’t bad enough at the moment
and people posting corona league tables
instead of football
three points for every hundred deaths
macabre 2 - morbid 1
those who got us into this
and other recent messes
wars still going on don’t forget
are talking exit strategies
like we can’t go on like this
stock markets must recover
(and the patients?)
or drastic measures are called for
mothballing yachts
selling off third homes
it doesn’t bear thinking
now with great respect to
virologists
epidemiologists
infectologists
gallant medical staff
and all those lovely nurses
we clapped last night from our balconies
enough is enough
hogging the talk shows and headlines
people should know their place
after all
who’s running the country
credit where credit is due
but let’s not go overboard
who will have to clean up
all the blood and bandages
discarded masks and gloves
tubes and personal items
left by the inconsiderate
patients
patience
mine is wearing thin
organ grinder not the monkey
no offence meant but
it’s the economy stupid
and we will fix it
as we always have
one way or another
hallo
did i tell you you could go
little worse than an ungrateful voter
after all we
do for
them
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 7
once we realise that we are taking part in
a globe-spanning group test
and not
some form of
reality show we can switch off
any time and
this jungle camp you don’t leave
just like that
it’s blood-filled lungs
and shuddering pink foam
drowning
grotesque waterboarding
perhaps we’ll make the sea change
from it’s not me so what the f**k
others can trust their luck
i mean i’m young
and it’s for the old
all this isolation
vastly overrated
oh haven’t you been told
well i have news for you
it can get you
too
and the double earners
with their double learners
vexatious kids
off-duty nanny
well you wanted them
part of the image
but helicoptering in the home
just doesn’t have the airspace
and home office and pilates
are non-starters
with ankle-biters
and you’re not free
to rent them out
delivered in your s u v
forget the debate on
exit strategy
whatever that means
and concentrate
for longer than you think
or hope
on survival
of all
not just the fittest
we’re all in the same boat but
at opposite ends
bow and stern
not hard to learn
to keep the curve flat and lean
until
we
have
a
vaccine
the watchword is
when or as in rome
#stayathome
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 8
if i isolate
bravely biding behind bubble bars
can’t contract corona
unless undermined undesirably
eccentric elements enjoying
psychopathic park parties
coughing contaminating clouds
harassing haemoglobin
saliva spreading sickness
acrid aerosol asthma
puffing poisionous particles
individually indoors in
supermarkets schools surgeries
churches community centres
controls conducted continually
mandatory market monitoring
quickly questioning quarantine
police permanently patrol parks
jeopardising juvenile jailbreaks
politicians pussyfoot prudently
viewing vicarious voters
wooing wealthy winners
ever expecting elections
why would we want
other opinions or options
stay safe socially
distanced decently domiciled
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 9
coronavirus
wake-up call
now or never
reset
ice caps melting
reset
glaciers receding
reset
oceans rising
reset
global warming
reset
fossil fuel exploitation
reset
nuclear power
reset
plastics
reset
emissions
reset
greenhouse gases
reset
forest clearance
reset
pesticides
reset
factory farming
reset
animal cruelty
reset
monoculture
reset
heat waves
reset
droughts
reset
tsunamis
reset
floods
reset
genetic manipulation
reset
habitat destruction
reset
species extinction
reset
allergies
viruses
reset
disease
reset
resource consumption
reset
poverty
reset
hunger
reset
child labour
reset
wealth distribution
reset
armaments production
reset
war
reset
fake news
reset
hate and division
reset
fascism
reset
racism
reset
nationalism
reset
more data required
input
planet B
404 page not found
restore all factory settings
yes
slim chance
no
thank you all
your grandchildren
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 9D
coronavirus
weckruf
jetzt oder nie
zurücksetzen
polarkappen schmelzen
zurücksetzen
gletscher gehen zurück
zurücksetzen
ozeane steigen
zurücksetzen
globale erwärmung
zurücksetzen
ausbeutung fossiler brennstoffe
zurücksetzen
atomkraft
zurücksetzen
kunststoffe
zurücksetzen
emissionen
zurücksetzen
treibhausgase
zurücksetzen
waldrodung
zurücksetzen
pestiziden
zurücksetzen
massentierhaltung
zurücksetzen
tierquälerei
zurücksetzen
monokultur
zurücksetzen
hitzewellen
zurücksetzen
dürren
zurücksetzen
tsunamis
zurücksetzen
überschwemmungen
zurücksetzen
genetische manipulation
zurücksetzen
zerstörung des lebensraumes
zurücksetzen
artensterben
zurücksetzen
allergien
zurücksetzen
viren
zurücksetzen
seuchen
zurücksetzen
ressourcenverbrauch
zurücksetzen
armut
zurücksetzen
hunger
zurücksetzen
kinderarbeit
zurücksetzen
wohlstandsverteilung
zurücksetzen
rüstungsproduktion
zurücksetzen
krieg
zurücksetzen
gefälschte nachrichten
zurücksetzen
hass und spaltung
zurücksetzen
faschismus
zurücksetzen
rassismus
zurücksetzen
nationalismus
zurücksetzen
weitere daten erforderlich
input
planet b
404 seite nicht gefunden
auf werkseinstellungen zurücksetzen
𝗷𝗮
geringe chance
𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗻
danke euch allen
eure enkelkinder
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 10
If William Shakespeare lived - script for a brief get-together with recipe.
ACT I SCENE I
A deserted square somewhere near you.
[Sirens and blue lights. Enter three citizens]
First Citizen:
When shall we three meet again
Unmasked, ungloved in costume plain?
Second Citizen:
When the hurlyburly's done,
When the virus' lost and won
Until then we must refrain
To gather here as more than twain
Third Citizen:
That will be ere next yuletide
Shall we then so long abide?
First Citizen:
Where the place?
Second Citizen:
Within the park.
Third Citizen:
There to gather covertly
to meet with death.
First Citizen:
I come, grim reaper!
Second Citizen:
Dead line calls!
Third Citizen:
Anon!
ALL:
Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air.
[Exeunt]
𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲
(original and unadulterated - for 7.8 billion people)
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Order ingredients online www.wuhanmarket-that-was.cn
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 11
idaho to arizona
no escaping from corona
wikipedia
social media
in thousand lands
the devil finds
work for idle hands
arsebook
twatter
natter
like
sad
angry
doesn’t matter
idle chatter
post a
comment
nil content
badly spelt
non-event
bicker
that’s all
lol
thought i ought to keep it short
can’t always try to put a
quart
in a pint pot
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 12
corona the leveller
age wealth colour race
spreading apace
escape is a lottery
linger in its path
and face its wrath
I try as hard I can
to be objective
not selective
we need to take a step back
use our common sense
no difference
the world’s a kaleidoscope
young old black or brown
country and town
the right to judge is reserved
who casts the first stone
must first atone
alien or home-produced
are we host or guest
and which is best
irrelevant it’s legion
still outside our ken
that’s it amen
We all live in a bubble submarine (temporarily).
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 13
I had bubbles on my list
yesterday
But other things got in the way
𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥
𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘬𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯
𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦
𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳
but I digress
bubbles are universal
especially now
personal
and
public
like the surgery this morning
not expecting
four bubbles
like wait outside and knock
uncomfortable bubble
nothing but trouble
shifting to keep my one point five
to survive
the rest of the hive
bubble two was better
a corrida
no - a corridor
escorted by the nurse
who deftly
drew a pint of blood
(waiting for the prick
also deft
far from inept
my mind wandered
inescapably
to vampires
bats
other blood-letters
who started
this raid
on their elders and betters
to which I belong
right or wrong)
bubble three
empty waiting room
with a complete lack
of the usual hypochondriac
bubble four
before they showed me
the door
reception
no exception
just nurse and me
separated by at least two point three
metres
next appointment
in the book
then back to the first
bubble
exit
burst.
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 14
you wanted to know about
sex in the time of corona
…
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 14A
originality is the nemesis
of
plagiarism
but there are times
searching frantically for rhymes
and other literary devices
to make sacrifices
on the altar of σεσχάτ
non-classicists say sheshat
and desist
from resisting
the irresistible
which takes me to wales
a small step for some
but a gigantic leap for
ellmyn
as we call the heathens
to the east
as the scythe of corona
sweeps the streets
of the heartland
nature abhors a vacuum
and seeks a scapegoat
escaped goats
begging for a haiku
and as i like you
feral goats in gangs
clattering hooves on tarmac
waking a ghost town
and if you still don’t know
google llandudno
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine part 15
what if
we invited daniel
to our feast
earlier
to read the writing
on the great
wall of china
would things be finer
would he translate
mene tekel upharsim
before it was too late
as nature’s warning
don’t eat bats
or rats
and it’s a special sin
to consume pangolin
or even worse
the curse
summoned
by tiger’s balm
or rhino’s horn
something that Daniel knew when
he hung out in the lion’s den
more nervous
than in the fiery furnace
question
want to research
seek the source
there is no rival to the bible
specifically
the book of daniel
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 16
immunologists
virologists
hugging the limelight
as well they might
when facts
transparency
and foresight
are in demand
but truth is a bore
when markets plunge
instead of soar
and so the time arrives
before it's due
still losing lives
but we've missed being
plagued by
politolologists
who have developed
their own vaccine
a repetition machine
say it often enough
a hard cerebral
beating to the mental solar plexus
not to solve problems
but to say
here I am
when the experts have gone home
and we've buried our dead
and filed the statistics
dismantled the logistics
it will never happen again
and it all costs money
and it's the economy
you'll turn to us
as you always have
and we give you
disappointment
no healing ointment
handouts for those
who've suffered most
lost the most
and those who lost most
are those who had most
before and after
it's called equilibrium
capitalism
neo-liberalism
or any other ism or um
with more than five syllables
guaranteed to exceed
the short attention span
of our voters
but not our promoters
try running an election campaign
watch the money go down the drain
on ads
tv spots
posters and placards
cheaper by the dozen
waved by allies
unreliables
undesirables
at our rallies
with the simple plea
vote for me
but at fundraising dinners
we come out the winners
no place for the weak
noses on the plate glass
outside
can't afford to kiss your ass
at thousand a plateful
enough to feed the ungrateful
for more than a week
so it's time to
take control
the problem addressed
by the means we know best
sound bites for the
impatient
hoi polloi
decisive
impressive
persuasive
mantras
exit strategy
herd immunity
flatten the curve
preserve your nerve
it's all over
bar the shouting
when we reach
70 per cent infection
the old and weak
expendable
no longer dependable
spare enough of them
for a majority
at the next election.
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 17
the emperor
marshals his troops
his task as
commander-in-chief
sans bone spurs
on the front line
war is declared
on the invisible enemy
which is tough
and smart
but he is tougher
and smarter
some
- who -
would say
a stable genius
and long
before the enemy
gathered his forces
in the shadow of the
great wall of china
the emperor knew
in advance
as he always does
of the impending
battle
his intelligence
far surpassing that of
all others
blowing his own
whistle
and trumpet
indeed
master of all instruments
some not yet invented
and white house puppets
but above all
knowing things
most things
all things
with all the
best words
best masks
best ventilators
best malaria pills
great really great
massive amounts
get your own
i saw them first
america first
america second
america third
america last
where
new york
california
or
sanctuary cities
get no pities
but who cares
thoughts and prayers
florida carolina
texas kentucky
lucky
they're
my friends like
xi vladi mbs
always help me
in a mess
flow that oil
send supplies
don't believe
lamestream lies
and my lover
sends me perks
hey kim
love those fireworks
corona
democratic hoax
folks
stunt
witch hunt
soon
under control
down from fifteen to one
fifteen hundred
fifteen thousand
fifteen million
bigger than world war two
my family missed that too
to my relief
as i therefore
am the first trump
commander-in chief
in reality
and all probability
the emperor who
has no clothes
no mask
don't ask
i'm choosing not to do it
no bone spurs
for this battle
and when i've won
bigly
remember
all i've done
oh yes we won't forget
for a long time yet
will november
be his waterloo?
"I am the Emperor. Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once"! Kurt Vonnegut
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 18
the germans have a word for it
waking to daily corona and
angst
weltanschauung
weltschmerz
virus blitzkrieg
sturm und drang
and the schadenfreude
of numbers nationalism
as ersatz for solidarity
so this is our
Zeitgeist now
onemillionfourhundredthousandfourhundredandfiftythree
six
eighteen
twentyfour
the clock ticks on
tick tock
ticktockticktockticktock
theres a new word making the rounds
𝗱𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘇𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿
don’t give me dark figure
what's that man
something out of batman
i mean that part of the
iceberg
unseen
with the bulk of
the incredible hulk
sunk
or sink
much larger than you think
not the dead
that's easy
count and report
to john hopkins
no debate
calculate
and there's more
by the hour
but the infected
many more than expected
or recorded
the walking dead
who don't know it
or show it
they lie low
even outgrow it
and join the ranks of
the immune
stars of the virus culture
I want your antibody
and the recovered
more dunkelziffer
as they differ
between
those who tell us
and those who sell us
I may have had it
just a cough and a sneeze
is that the disease
or just a connection
to a flu-like infection
so where does it get us
this numbers game
opium for the volk
the hour has come of
the next magician
the mathematician
of extrapolation
interpretation
mental palliation
control groups
nation by nation
abstraction
distraction
takes our mind off
virtual mortality
who knows
keeps us on our toes
I suppose.
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 19
sometimes
it feels like
one day in the life of
ivan coronavitch a
short documentary by
mental quarantino
with chinese subtitles
this film could not
have been made without
the social distancing
of the good people of
berlin
and all who sail in her
all persons
infected
dead or
recovered
are purely incidental
let's start with
market noises heard
through the open window
summery temperatures
for this time of year
groundhog routine
cats meds yorkshire tea
switch on pc
wife sleeping so
too early for tv
news acebook mails twatter
apropos the latter
lies and hate
dominate
trump's taunts and tantrums
defund the who
that's my generation
spam and vietnam
agent orange
who asked him back
local tittle tattle
stricter controls on
entry to the city
from ausland
by air and land
last time we had
a land border
in berlin
in living memory
to enforce law and order
all directions were east
and communism
was just around the corner
too late
they're here already
the auslaender
who let them in
car plates with
m hh bn
erz k and nf
#stayathome is for us
not the others
second-homers
reclaiming their Airbnb
apartments
eager to view empty
easter boulevards
two metres apart
but the photo opportunities
in a deserted street
unique
not seen since
the aftermath of allied bombing
but then the rubble
and decay
were photogenic in a different way
but now to set the scene
of work routine
chronicles
for my audience
translation
who will it be today
gernhardt heine or
another literary jewel
pity they've already done hesse
he's cool
list for the market
before that young man
rings
and brings
the other shopping on the list
young socialist
not a berliner
hamburger
just here for the veneer
of the university
in the big city
a volunteer
to help the old and vulnerable
that's me
to a tee
when did that happen
the change from dashing young blade
to geriatric masquerade
that's what corona
does to you
isolation
and before you know
degradation
to a high risk minority
laboratory rat
and all that
to all intent
a social experiment
now work demands
commands
original thought
theme of the day
the three new pillars of wisdom
mask app test
forget the rest
except retest
until the curve flattens
if that ever happens
reward a glass or two of wine
on the too-small balcony
the wrong side for the sun
we'll be grateful one
day when the global warming
kicks in
and shares in air-conditioning
go through the roof
pasta
arribiata
then news flix talk news talk talk
be grateful for the variety
different experts every
second night
a brief relief in
a normal day
in the life of ivan virosovitch
abnormal is the new norm.
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 20
family ties
are alright
as long as the knot
is not too tight
and the rope is lengthy
with plenty
of slack
but in times of crisis
the bond
link
or chain
reels you in again
and thoughts are with
nearest and dearest
furthest and farthest
loved ones
and not-so-loved ones
some you've forgotten
and those you've begotten
on whatever side of the blanket
in-laws and outlaws
brothers and sisters
the ones who would give
liver or a kidney
to help you to live
so call up their status
before the hiatus
of virus
and breathing apparatus
get up to date
before it's too late
and fate
catches up with you
and set in train
a resolve to be better
from now on
before we're all gone
and no news is bad news
and the excuse
i didn't have time
or opportunity
for community
or family unity
sounds more like a curse
when you're following the hearse
but we won't let it come to that
will we
afterword:
there's a rumour you can cope better
with gallows humour
if you're a baby boomer
afterafterword:
the same applies to your friends
and if there's a rift
make amends
better now than never
or the chance is lost
probably forever
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 21
britain
don't expect extra
treatment from me
just because it's
easter
let's see
your resurrection first
britain
land of my birth
in the broadest sense
irish mother
welsh father
and the strange case of
the scandinavian dna
that didn't bark
by the way
britain
seen through
graves eyes
from some corner
of a foreign field
that gives forever
a different perspective
to the
maelstrom media
with their daily
fail
torygraph
grauniad
independable
and plucking at the last straw
like a camel bent on suicide
saved by the licence fee
the bbc
britain
famed for its
poets
singers
literary giants
sherlock
camelot
royalty
full english breakfasts
diversity
and perversity
that is brexit
the last laments
of the mother of parliaments
britain
holiday home of
oligarchs
sheikhs
hedge fund managers
but also home to
a lot of decent people
like dare i say me
my family
friends and former friends
irish and scots
the windrush generation
leavening our nation
britain
a vision of elizabeth taylor
calling
lassie come home
the patter and
thunder
of paws and hooves
in company of
black beauty
she leaps the
hurdle that never was
in your amour fou
and rejoins
the eu
britain
let us forget
the rule of
johnson, cameron and may
the body politic
that made us sick
and gave us
the current mess
that is the nhs
homelessness
universal credit
food banks
tory think tanks
fuelling
division and hate
britain
it's said
there was a time
when roses grew round
the cottage door
and the hub
of community
was the chapel
the village pub
promoting unity
be that as it may
that was only part
of a flourishing
respected nation
you can achieve that
again
it's in your grasp
britain
it's not too late
to rise again
if a phoenix can do it
so can you
britain
pluck up your courage
roll up your sleeves and
roll that stone away
what could be a better day for it
than today
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 22
as the crisis
continues unabated
seemingly unlimited
and much is prohibited
we seek our diversions
in commonplace
but necessary occupations
cuisine
the art
formerly known as
cooking
tasting
with complementary libations
lovingly presented
preparations
with or without recipe
eating after all
is a daily necessity
disclaimer
apart from burning
defenceless dead animals
over a heat source
my culinary skills are limited
of course
but the cooks in my life
have spared me the chore
leaving me to explore
the unfathomable
murky and dangerous
depths
the fear
of the seemingly
innocent question
what shall we have for dinner
dear
that's a reef
on which
many a relationship
has foundered
in doubt
there's eating out
italian, greek or asian
aromas for every occasion
multi choice
for every day -
now there's only
take-away
which
leads me to
home cooking
meat, fish or vegetarian
haute cuisine
or proletarian
and crossover
mother's special
with teriyaki
beer or saki
sitting
gemütlich
in the kitchen
with a bottle of wine
or two
passing the time
discussing things
till the timer pings
like plans for tomorrow
what shall we have for dinner
schatz
whatever -
i know my platz
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 23 Bio2
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴
born in wales
ganed yng nghymru
monday's child
st david's day
fair of face
dark of hair
on market days
the sheep drovers
herding flocks
from the hills
through the town
penny in your pocket
blocking the alleys
no runaways
clattering scratching hooves
we were town
and country boys
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴
flat-capped farmers
fag in mouth
bidding
with their peers
and the auctioneer's
hammer
that's for you
another ewe
or bullock
walking on the planks
over the stalls
baa baa black sheep
once the centre
of the wool industry
busy leeds of wales
until the machines
in the dark satanic mills
in the north
put paid
to local trade
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴
weekend at my nans
getting beer for granddad jack
at the jug and bottle
wheatsheaf arms
reward a penny
in betty's sweet
shop
at the bottom of
sheaf street
at the top
next the smithfield
swings and roundabouts
win a goldfish
swimming
in a little plastic bag
nan had a jam jar for it
wouldn't do that now
or a coconut
lovely bunch
but
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴
weren't they
grandad david
hence my name
and my saint's day
cork born
w h smiths
once a month
bought me the classics
ivanhoe
treasure island
gulliver
and others
evenings
played the fiddle
folk songs
irish what else
with his daughter
my mother
she could dance as well
i learnt dancing later
another story
two hundred or so
the songs
still know quite a few
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴
welsh nan
gertie
worked at pryce jones
first mail order
in the world
catalogues
to order from
the tallyman came
to collect the rates
like the butcher's
savings book
for the christmas turkey
cooked in the baker's oven
dad's first apprenticeship
good cook too
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴
then works outings
with nan
back seat of the coach
to devil's bridge
aberystwyth
and up the coast
i always thought
the day we went to bangor
was written
specially for us
sleeping on nans knee
but jack stayed at home
and there we went
for late tea
and toast soldiers
next morning
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴
and then
as i liked it
unlike
a snail i went
willingly to school
𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴
and another
part of
the chronicle.
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 24
coming to a country
near you soon
aftermath
subtitle
the day after the
day after
tomorrow
a gripping tale
of infectivity
ineffectivity
mortality
immunity
captivity
and the politician
in shining protective suits
opening the gates to
yesterday's paradise
clubs designer drugs
communal coma online consumption
resumption
of life before corona
iago and desdemona
step by step
aftermath
also starring
king kong
and his epic battle
against the who
chinese give-aways
recalcitrant
governors
not forgetting
on another shore
poor
lazarus
who rose from
hazardous
intensive care
on the seventh day
miraculous
but back to
aftermath
will we grasp
the elusive
soon-closing window
of chance
to restore the balance
of our abused planet
stop destruction
of our natural world
forests swamps and waters
that bind the viral demons
in the pandora's box
we dared to open
because
we have no fear
of biology
we have the technology
but nature
put her finger
in the wounds
we afflicted
and sent
unpredicted
disasters
catastrophes
one after the other
no time to recover
mother nature's
immune system
rejects us
when her role is
to protect us
but we didn't hear
her warning
on global warming
we didn't believe her
pleas
tropical disease
malaria
yellow fever
part of our climate
no longer reserved for
the poor sick and blind
south of the equator
aftermath
the minute hand
of the clock
stopping
has given us time
to take stock
in a world
quieter, slower and cleaner
to reassess priorities
and ask
do we want to go back
aftermath
to unbridled
and self-serving
free
misleading
economy
marktwirtschaft
hand back the tiller
to
lobbyists
speculators
developers
towering cruise ships
and the legion
of climate killers
vomiting
their poisonous excretions
into the atmosphere and oceans
aftermath
push back
essential workers
to where they came from
don't inflate
their status
they did a good job
we clapped and cheered them
what more do they want
champagne caviar
hocus pocus
give us a bonus
there's no magic money tree
and if there is
no low-hanging fruits
they ripen at the top
where the sun
always shines
the world's a pyramid
drip-down economy
unrelated to
ecology
the crumbs
from the table
are yours to take
make or break
survival of the richest
aftermath
perhaps
just perhaps
new visions
lead
to the right decisions
and we realise
that the restrictions
that chafe
and irritate
are the avenue
guidelines
to a future
we hold in trust
for others
to come
when we're gone
afterpath
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 25
have you taken
your medication
today
cheap or expensive
no need to be
apprehensive
we're there to
serve you
you don't deserve us
big pharma
a cure
for every disease
under the sun
available free
to everyone
colds and flu
corona and ebola
smallpox and cholera
rabies and sars
alzheimer and hiv
lets not forget
big c
need not be bad karma
says
big pharma
but think of the cost
research
salaries
big factories
laboratories
and all those
out there
investing in
stocks and shares
waiting for the
dividend
cause in the end
profit and bonus
or there'd be
a hiatus
a reduction
in production
and where
would we be then
big pharma
did i hear
generics
just think of the costs
of legal battles
to stop our
pills and infusions
transfusions
tested extensively
and expensively
on probands
getting into the hands
of robber bands
in poverty-stricken lands
such demands
are pure
inanity
we didn't invest
out of pure humanity
or even
christianity
that would be
insanity
says your
big pharma
we have the monopoly
we dictate the price
we're an oligopoly
we're not paid to be nice
we won't tell you twice
faithfully yours
big pharma
just consider
just a thought
what if
instead of privatising
airlines
building firms
various other
conglomerates
and propping up
purposes
financial services
banks
thanks
for all the hand-outs
your humble servants
we put health
and personal care
top of the agenda
and declare
we can make the pills
we can cure your ills
at a fraction
of the price
wouldn't that be nice
a course to
recommend
and finally spell
the end of
big pharma
mens sana in corpore sano
way to go
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 26
let's be honest
c'mon you promised
who's missing
bayern luncheon
real co-vid
tottenham posture
juventus urine
or farcenal
no leagues no cups
no downs no ups
no good reason
for relegation
this season
no top club snobbery
a dark
time for
an oligarch
let's have a lottery
clubs in a hat
and for some sparkle
drawn by meghan markle
a boost for every
betting shop
horses
for courses
they're not yet back
on the track
is there a life
after sport
men distraught
women seizing
remote control
the ultimate
emancipation
in every nation
around the planet
strong men in tears
crying in beers
no wimbledon
no tour de france
or spectators
at let's dance
no cricket
no wicket
just the ticket
no world series today
or tomorrow
home or away
for sports played
only in the usa
the olympic flame
lit
then extinguished
before it can go
from athens
to tokyo
for every action
there's an equal
and opposite reaction
will the present
no show
resented by fans
from dublin to
any of the 'stans
revert to
a wall-to-wall
sport show
suppressing
cook show
crime
kiddies tv
nature
any documentary
for the rest of
the century
or at least a decade
even the news
will be put on
the back boiler
and series
reduced to a spoiler
until
lost ground is made up
monopolising
all prime time
public viewings
will receive the
popularity
of public executions
that all loyal citizens
must attend
to mark this
unique
controversial
and unwilling
abstention
the next olympics
will be named
the hunger games
still in tokyo
but medals presented
by emperor
coriolanus snow
of the post-corona
dynasty
and when all is won or lost
all horses
past the post
athletes out of their blocks
over their hurdles
or bar
shot javelin and discus
putted thrown and whirled
poorly paid
officials bribed
heavily sponsored
competitors doped
up to their eyeballs
in preliminaries
and finals
checks made no longer
in deference to olympus
and the gods of commerce
we the people
performing a laola
for saint coca cola
all that counts is
faster higher stronger
citius altius fortius
celebration
in every nation
life once more normal
we all know our place
amateur
professional
commentator
couch potato
it's no disgrace
to take back control
of our fortune
put their rest
in their place
all back in
proportion
and familiar tones
no more moans and groans
withdrawal symptoms
gentle as a dove
equal partners
whisper tenderly
while you're in the kitchen
bring me a beer love
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 27
it's all
breaking news
these days
if it's not corona
rarely
its something equally
unpleasant like
breaking news
the trump administration
is expected today
to weaken regulations
on
wait for it
mercury and other toxic metals
released from
oil and coal-fired
power plants
but
in this high-speed
merciless world
of
relentless information
flow
we rarely get past
the headlines
the result being
fake
or half-baked news
there's clearly
more to it
than meets the eye
who would ever
undo the progress made
under obama
remember osama
the inspiration of
the dalai lama
there's a plan
as there always is
under superman
captain america
the incredible bulk
fatman and
the rest of
the comic book heroes
we have the best
of everything
like cures for
the invisible foe
waiting for a vaccine
is too slow
you might as well
wait for godot
now lets fight the virus
with its own weapons
bombard
the bastard
till it's hoist
with its own
petard
i know more about
viruses and infections
injections
and of course
the way to win
elections
so don't dismiss
the power of
toxins
fight fire with fire
and mercury
remember
was a sure
cure
for syphilis
i know these things
there's other
breaking news
zoos
are opening soon
poor animals
no more
outdoor
private sex
back to public
viewing
breaking news
oil prices down
dictator and clown
convince
chain-saw prince
what a trio
we owe
so much to you
breaking news
riots on the streets
from delaware
to god knows where
no more rallies
perhaps
where we can wear
our maga caps
comfort in crowds
ask the sheep
and clouds
of bacteria
leftist hysteria
meanwhile
breaking news
chernobyl burns
but who cares
it's not our concern
until the wind blows
our way
breaking news
bibi's facing
another election
something is rotten
in the
state of israel
corruption forgotten
breaking news
fighting in myanmar
formerly burma
but that's
a bridge too far
away to get
a serious mention
or our attention
and who gives a fig for
the rohingya
breaking news
war in syria
refugees in moria
all on hold
and while the spotlight's
focussed
elsewhere
hidden news
the orbans putins erdogans
quietly pursue their plans
undisturbed
unheard
we'll wake up to this
and other calamities
or banalities in
new breaking news
some day
when corona
has gone away
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 28
the search for
a corona-anxiety
𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆
is pursued
relentlessly
but
fundamentally
the answer is
closer to home
than you think
in the words of
the immortal
praised be his name
kurt vonnegut
𝘹𝘹𝘹
and how
should we behave
during this
apocalypse
we should be
unusually kind
to one another
certainly
but we should also stop
being so serious
jokes help a lot
and get a dog
if you don’t
already have one
𝘹𝘹𝘹
prophets must
take care
as the four
evangelists
can confirm
wise words
are open to
interpretation
and even
give rise to
aberration
abnegation
altercation
occasionally
acclamation
more often
aggravation
and frequently
get lost in
translation
they will
definitely
give rise to
controversy
polemic and
general hullabaloo
even the mightiest
have misconceptions
an achilles heel
no exceptions
and so it is with
the ever-esteemed
herr vonnegut
war is a
three-letter word
three-letter words
can start a war
which is a
three-letter word
you guessed it
hell hath no fury
like a feline
scorned
xxx
get a dog
xxx
exclamation marks
who can compare
the gentle purring
of the noblest
of creatures
to something
that just barks
thou shalt not take
the name of thy god
in vain
one can't say
get a cat
it's not as easy
as that
if they deign
to descend
to our plane
accept our burnt
and tinned
offerings
our human
sacrifice
even mice
if cunningly presented
as playthings
for their majesty
our gratefulness
should show
no bounds
𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯
it's not the same
with hounds
at all
they come at every
beck and call
𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧
so its time
to rewrite
the scriptures
of st kurt
although
he might be hurt
if he was still with us
treasonous
as that might be
the record
can't wait
must be
put straight
or the wrath of the
deities
whose home
we are privileged
to share and
our favourite armchair
could descend
unforgivingly
hissing
with outstretched claws
no velvet paws
from mount
olympuss
so we offer
a prayer
light candles
burn incense
show our renitence
oh creature
set among us
as paragon
of aptitude
aloof solitude
intrinsic beauty
and calm
forgive us
our trespasses
keep us on the path
of righteousness
there is but one
𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆
for anxiety
its name is legion
from
mistoffolees
to old deuteronimous
and cats anonymous
amen
𝘹𝘹𝘹
what's that
feeding time
a relative term
a moveable feast
I'll get the tin opener
now
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 29
there are many
associations
with the word
lockdown
few of them
pleasant
mind springs back to
the middle ages
not heraldry and pages
but hard words
lockdown
portcullis
drawbridge
ball and chain
and the jailer
jangling
bunch of iron keys
in massive lock
that's
why he's called
turnkey
lockdown
man in the
iron mask
dungeon
between a
rock
and a hard place
in the dock
sentenced to
rack and wheel
months of isolation
prison block
without appeal
no probation
lockdown
letting my vivid
imagination
run away with me
but there's no
escape
from this
incarceration
isolation
for the good of
the nation
segregation
of young old healthy
bitter poor and wealthy
all in the same boat
wishful thinking
some are floating
some are sinking
some in a yacht to
a safe haven
faster
any port
in a storm
some in panic
on the titanic
heading for
disaster
for those
no life after
lockdown
where's the locksmith
with
his picks and
clever tricks
skeleton keys
for our release
in white coat
and mask
detection
of infection
injection
no rejection of
vaccine
after fourteen
days in
lockdown
for the lucky few
others receive
a longer sentence
as penance
for age
disability
previous condition
for them the clock
tick tock
tick tock
in their private
black hole
of calcutta
or kolkata
in bengali
an entitlement
in these times
of post-empire
enlightenment
but softer words
don't change
the reality
seemingly
finality and
shock
of
lockdown
nations
in splendid
isolation
debate
easing of restrictions
lockerung
the german word
i'd have
preferred
unlock-erung
protests on the streets
demonstrations
right left and centre
for haircuts
pub openings
sports
holiday resorts
against oppressive
regimes
similar themes
ludicrous extremes
united in their call for
end of
lockdown
one day
i dare say
this will seem
a bad dream
i want to wake up now
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 30
and then the whining school-boy
with his satchel
and shining morning face
creeping like snail
unwillingly to school
september 1947
sleepy welsh post-war
market town
ex-artillery captain
converted catholic priest
founding
small private parish school
pupils
evacuees deepees
czechs poles
local welsh exiled irish
management
roger & molly bevan
in crescent house
moving to
1949
dolerw hall
flanked by river severn
green fields
large
and largish families
conlins the cross
then severn house
moores canal road
lovells garthowen
housing estate
replacing nissen huts
williams lived there
jack on holiday from
shrewsbury nick
lavells out of town
dad made the pews
for the church
they went to australia
more williams
owens mochdre
tickling trout
resident bevans
and a fox
charles
doctor's son
stonely john
dad a copper
freemason
gatehouse owens
doris and john
many others
on the tip of my tongue
sorry
if i missed you
add your name here
<________________>
school choir
latin those days
except eisteddfod
then in welsh
music and movement
molly bevan
english echos
cherry ripe
lincolnshire poacher
john peel
still know the words
school outings
regent cinema
singing in the rain
astaire and rogers
georgie black
always resplendent
and correct
in bow tie with
faint hint of
sherry or whisky
didn't know the difference
those days
hated mathematics
always got it wrong
then front of the class
stand on stool
short trousers
miss smith
formidable bust
ruler snaps
on back of
bare legs
that stung
i still don't like maths
or outsize breasts
left with
a form of
academic ptsd
miss scholley
a viennese lady
was popular with all
scoutmaster
leo pentony
and teachers came
nuns in black
crush on sister francis
and went
walking home
broad street
doffing school caps
to all and sundry
good mannered
those catholic children
of course we
got up to no good
in the park
coming home
with countless
wasp stings
smoking out
wasp's nest
with bruce owen
combing them out
of my hair
yes we were the catholics
a minority
among
baptists
congregationalists
methodists
primitive methodists
wesleyan methodists
christian scientists
seventh day adventists
quakers
evangelicals
jehovah's witnesses
english anglicans
salvation army
scouts and cubs
girl guides
boys brigade
st john's ambulance
most had
carnival floats
all of us
belonged somewhere
not so sure today
1954
examinations
eleven plus
strange desks
neutral ground
board school
corner of kerry road
no multi choice
those days
results acceptable
for scholarship next year
away from home
and all this
the sequel
further education
from
1955
is another story
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 31
i think
i'm living in a
parallel universe
six weeks ago
carefree time
celebrating
77 years of
undetected crime
eating out
opera arias
talk shows
nouvelle cuisine
brexit
family and
close friends
anticipation of
a long summer
that never ends
setting the scene
cottage garden
river and trees
on the horizon
a cloud
no bigger than
a man's hand
wuhan
overnight
through the portal
into a
parallel universe
how many years
of time
am i allowed
eating home alone
talk shows
covid-19
netflix
isolation and
social distancing
avoiding
contamination
long hot summer
that never ends
without a vaccine
balcony flowers
nature series on tv
on the horizon
dark clouds
bigger than
i understand a
fate for no man
parallel universe
who
was i before
father of three
grandfather
of four
who am i now
high risk edition
existing condition
unexploded munition
where
was i before
free to roam
where am i now
imprisoned at home
the why
and wherefore
of life
who's desirous
of living
on the cusp of
a virus
in this
parallel universe
show me
the way out
where's the green man
with his white arrow
running to the exit
i want to follow
but the announcement
proclaims
keep your seat
wear your mask
nothing bad
can happen if
you follow the
instructions
don’t panic
don’t fret
you're not a herd
of immunity
yet
the truth is
nothing can happen
good or bad
we're all trapped in
a time continuum
later generations
will remember us
as a fly in amber
locked-in nations
in a
parallel universe
living alongside a
daily diagram
of cases new
dead recovered
worldwide
some say it’s a scam
conspiracy
by the meritocracy
#fakenews
from those
with radical views
i still believe
in democracy
currently a
parallel universe
scientific and political
bureaucracy
only one thing
i'm sure of
in this current
sham
of a life
my epigram -
i rhyme
therefore i am
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 32
twinkle twinkle
satellite
shining brightly
in the night
up above
the world so high
like a tea tray
in the sky
what is that
the children cry
a bird
a bat
i see it fly
no my dears
can't you guess
a spaceship
called the iss
'twas in the year
of twenty-twenty
when we lived in
a land of plenty
till then a star
made its descent
its origin
the orient
corona its name
uncertain the blame
nature or science
ailment or experiment
whatever
suffice it to say
it spread death
and dismay
from shanghai
to tapei
then dubai
scattering
fever and coma
from
ancona to
verona
barcelona
pamplona
daytona
arizona
alaska
nebraska
and all points
east west
north south
and the world's population
suffered
decimation
from nation to nation
isolation
or cremation
couldn't stop
mutation
depredation
starvation
migration from
asia to australia
america to africa
europe
all shared
and no one
was spared
but us
hunkering
in our bunker
emerging
to a brave
new
empty
world
but what you ask
has that to do
with the satellite
we see
well they were
survivors too
the men and women
in outer space
a microcosm
of sex and race
but when the shuttle
didn't come
they died off
slowly
one by one
but there afar
a shining star
reminds the few
who are left
of the ultimate futility
fragility
of man's ingenuity
it was just beyond us
to contain
and master
a virus
we couldn't even see
with a vaccine
and that's the tale of
covid-19
goodnight my dears
tomorrow night
i'll read you another story
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 33
the key
as always
is
communication
after all
this is what the
hyperactive
supposedly
proactive
state-of-the-art
technology
is all about
but we all know
that's just
the starting point
even
artificial intelligence
can't unscramble
the ramble
of gigo
garbage in
garbage out
we learnt that
on our
commodore
ibm junior
so don't
automatically
expect
sense
to come out of
a video conference
communication
participants
are tense
and take offence
at any
suggestion
they're dodging
the question
and allay
our concerns and
suspicions
delay
their admissions
downplay
grave omissions
with
the cliché of the day
health comes first …
are you
missing a word
asking
what comes next
something
clearcut
you're joking
it's that magic word
but …
as in
i'm not a blank-blank but
communication
it's like asking
a magician
to explain his tricks
knowing smile
next question
thinking of
the next election
trotting out
the sound bites
what we need is to
get back to normality
truth a fatality
or at best
alternative reality
we have a policy
all agree
and see
eye to eye
but there's no
guarantee
for if need be
we'll disagree
and say
something
completely different
the moment
the camera's away
that's professional
communication
angela
speaks to the nation
her affirmation
we've found
a path to follow
sounds hollow
then the
interpretation
is an ever-so-slight
manipulation
the single path is
a corridor
as wide
as you like
pick your side
choose your lane
fast or slow
way to go
as long as
we're moving in
approximately
the same direction
still thinking of
that next election
and debts to pay
backs to scratch
communication
is in the eye
of the beholder
and the walls
of the corridor
are flexible
the pictures
that hang there
the empty promises
made on the way
and forgotten
the next day
leave
communication
to the
professionals
they'll put
a good spin on it
leaving room
for margin of error
or one-eighty
degree turn
whichever is most
convenient
at least the pharisees
spoke with one voice
today we have a choice
alternatives
a patchwork rug
of expedience
spread out in the
corridor of
disobedience
mutti's not
too pleased
i think we'll see
some electrifying
sparks flying
communication
on the way
from berlin
to the rest
of the nation
today but
that's just
speculation
the truth is out there
and its name is
corona
and it won't
be conjured away
just like that
no matter what they say
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 34
after corona *****
life continued meanwhile
on planet a on planet b
good intentions tensions
discarded are regarded
back as lack
to square one of aplomb
the old u ntold
agenda surrender
of habits to habits
of yesterday on planet a
that continually that eventually
redeployed destroyed
resources resources
with the caveats habitats
that norms life forms
always are near and far
sustainable inexpendable
though unattainable irreversible
deluding including
interface the human race
with technology for biology
a solution pollution
is a winner is a killer
our plight but a bright
our neglect prospect
of debates awaits
and wake-up no break-up
calls befalls
we have failed we have prevailed
the future threatens the future beckons
calamity prosperity
emergency harmony
because applause
there is no we live on
planet b planet b
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 35
roles
reversed
animals
living in zoos
or other forms
of captivity
demonstrate
a heightened
rate of
activity
in particular
sexual intercourse
of course
it's more
congenial
and less
menial
to perform
the procreation
process
when not
under the gaze
of prying eyes of
to them
aliens
we know as
homo sapiens
attracted by
the fascination
that most mammals
perform copulation
with varying
degrees of passion
not in embrace
face-to-face
but from behind
that’s why
they call their own
efforts in
this direction
with proud erection
doggy fashion
darwin called it
in another context
natural selection
but who's
in the zoo
now
meanwhile
in desert
jungle and savannah
or any other
manner
of natural habitat
wildlife
is experiencing
in most cases
+++++
there are
exceptions
humankind
is unpredictable
+++++
an intermission
breathing space
from pointless
trophy hunting
killing for
skins
and horns
to hang
on their walls
penises
entrails
and other
unmentionables
to put in
their medicines
because the hunters
in between
have become
the hunted
by a foe unseen
known
in scientific terms
as covid-19
which
if we are to believe
selected
cognoscenti
of whom there
are plenty
originates
in the preparation
and consumption
of lizards and bats
and for their sins
harmless
pangolins
at least that's
as well as
the destruction
of habitats
the presumption
the moral being
if we
mess with mother nature
she'll mess with us
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 36
empty boats
empty planes
empty buses
empty trains
empty cars
empty bars
empty pubs
empty clubs
empty banks
empty tanks
empty suites
empty streets
empty stations
empty nations
empty stores
empty floors
empty schools
empty pools
empty sports
empty ports
empty mews
empty zoos
empty cells
empty hotels
empty stages
empty wages
empty operas
empty cinemas
empty barbers
empty harbours
empty atriums
empty stadiums
empty industry
empty ministry
empty bakeshops
empty cakeshops
empty workshops
empty bookshops
empty glasshouse
empty cathouse
so how will
we fill
our
empty minds
empty heads
empty brains
empty heads
empty thoughts
empty feelings
with
no vacation
in the sun
no migration
on the run
no recreation
no more fun
no football
none at all
no free wifi
in café
no skiing holiday
in chalet
no restaurants
with haute cuisine
no movie theatre
with big screen
no church, no mosque
priests, imams
no teenage proms
after final exams
no cheerleaders
no crowd barriers
no cruise ships
no aircraft carriers
no massage
no tattoo
no social functions
no kung fu
no barbecue
no fornication
a life of total deprivation
locked away in isolation
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 37
It all began
as chit-chat
in whatsapp
just that
nothing
profound
a round
of two
can two
be a round
never mind
based on
a long-term
tenuous
but distant
friendship
light-hearted
affection
arising from
a year-old
socialist
connection
kept mostly
at arms-length
from
younger days
later
we went
different ways
but now
busily
swapping memes
and comments on
current themes
a cure
for boredom
consolation
a therapy
for isolation
both made
a loner
by corona
a and d
and then
there were three
with the
addition of
h g
related by
marriage
in a curious way
unanimously
determined on
keeping
the blues away
with an
exchange of views
day by day
then the question
suggestion
to expand
the selection
to a fourth
member
one of our
peers
a writer
and reciter
metamorphosing
so to say
in a banal way
into
the four
musketeers
a round number
gain not loss
unencumbered
by dross
met with
general approval
by them
the three
and so came m
the poetry
verse
sometimes paste
sometimes gem
flowed
some good
some worse
some long
some short
the
ménage à quatre
proved its worth
with sonnets
haikus and
limericks
and other forms
of lyrics
and so
gradually
but inevitably
somewhat
belated
the group
mutated into
an arty
self-ironic
immodest
presumptuous
party
with the exaggerated
tongue-in-cheek
overstated
inflated
title of
i quattro letterati
their collected works
verse to go
can be found online
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 38 (bio)
biography
next episode
this time with
geography
off to school
first time alone
away from home
in england
out of the
family fold
twelve years
and
six months old
not the first
time travelling
on my own
at just twelve
years of age
i went
to the continent
+++++
at-ton-zi-on
citation
with french
pronounciation
paris
to see chantal
and on
to clérey-sur-brenon
on the farm
of my friend
robert henri
and earlier
just as far
to the saar
aged eleven
to another robert -
bier
former
prisoner-of war
imprisoned
in a strange land
at the age of
eighteen
caught up in
the final spasms
of a conflict that
tore europe
apart
repaying the
hospitality
of my family
in
nineteen forty seven
all my other
siblings
over the years
went
one-by-one
all tickets paid
for over
a decade
now why can't it
always be
like that
between nations
instead of
bloody separations
condemnations
reparations
with decades of
reverberations
now in
nineteen fifty five
i retrace the steps
taken ten years
before
by allied armies
now
alert alive
armed only
with a dictionary
and boundless
curiosity
in short trousers
the way it was
for boys
those days
through a europe
shaken but
recovering
not knowing that
thankfully
this peace would last
until this day
but then
not yet
in my teens
i had my first
baguette
croissant
horsemeat
strangely sweet
louvre
tour eifell
citreon
with
backward-opening
doors
and no speed limits
later
in a haystack
with nicole
sweetly smelling
hay and girl
harvest timeback in time
in saarland
still french then
but very german
to me
sauerkraut
rummel
bratwurst
riesling
saar loop
onion church towers
like russia
i thought
forbidden sips
of beer
from
stone krugs
back
to wales
ready to start
school
away from home
but those are
tales
for another time
but then
nineteen fifty five
i arrived home
different
changed
or formed
into to what
i am today
a european
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 39
at the time
we don't
recognise them
or their
importance
life changers
the easy ones
birth
marriage
or intimate
partnership
death
the
most common
most
easily
identifiable
milestones
along
life's road
instant
cognitive
intuitive
instinctive
awoken
from there
the mind
rapidly
opens and
maps
tracks
the half-mile
then shorter
intervals
marker poles
signposts
beacons
lodestars
landmarks
activate
and trigger
responses
demand
individual
recognition
highlighting
life changers
christening
communion
confirmation
other forms
of social union
or religious
pagan
heathen
infidel
god or godless
initiation
and markers
have sub-texts
datasets
chains
bonds
relationships
children
children's children
grandchildren
integrating
on their
mentochips
spools
relays
parallel
events
results
schools
teachers
you loved
hated
but nonetheless
educated
first dance
first chance for
first kiss
never forgotten
romance
first sex
hit or miss
sweetheart
career start
first mentor
or boss
years later
job loss
new horizons
was there
a favourite
dog or cat
car you drove
book that
moved
film or play
ballet that
inspired
always
follow
ups
and downs
hollow
blissful
grief full
moments
operations
accidents
frustrations
personal losses
fathers
mothers
too young
sisters
brothers
significant
others
hardest to take
inheriting
responsibilities
suddenly
head
of family
testing
capability
thankfully
lighter phase
between
scenes
celebrations
best friends
special days
and nights
relaxation
more time
for recreation
age and maturity
bringing
contentment
expected but
precipitous
retirement
all work
and no play
no longer
the order
of the day
landmarks
all dotted
along your path
like cobblestones
even uneven
some
loosely set
others
firmly embedded
the best ones
cornerstones
of your
fleeting
existence
ultimately
the final
life changer
yours alone
to manage
hopefully with
grace and
panache
leaving
for others
to remember
well after
you're gone
a simple
headstone
here lies
he
or she
r i p
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 40
today
first of may
is international
workers day
celebrating
marching
in solidarity
drinking
and hilarity
thinking
of popularity
dancing
into may
forgetting
that the
holiday
remembers
eighteen
eighty six
on the
haymarket
chicago
workers
striking
for an eight hour day
something most
take for granted
today
some were shot
on the spot
four
treated as a
terrorist band
were hanged
so as you enjoy
your holiday
spare at least
a brief thought
for those
who fought
for workers rights
and had to pay
the ultimate
price
and more
one hunded
and sixty four
years ago
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 41
inequality
survival of
the fitter few
is nothing
new
the rest
await
uncertain fate
inequality
the structure of
society
to a degree
favours
the rich
that is
a bitch
inequality
what we have is
plutocracy
democracy
as description
is pure
fiction
inequality
born poor
you'll stay
that way
for sure
you won't get
more
won't see a
rich man
in a ditch
inequality
in such a race
the starting line
is staggered
fine
but on the
track
you're
at the back
inequality
to those that
have
shall
be given
so is written
words
prophetic
apathetic
inequality
when will
society
progress
take more
give less
reward
in doubt
all those
without
inequality
it's not beyond
the wit
of man
do what
we can
for parity
and clarity
equality
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 42
have we
accepted
the new
normal
can we hope
that behaviour
adopted
habits
adapted
during corona
be accepted
as the new
formal
way of life
or will we
regress to
the hectic mess
a resumption
of over
consumption
a new orgy
of co2
emissions
and
squander
burn up the
remissions
saved
in the crisis
will our
politicians
managers
and other
hangers-on
devotees
of the
global
economy
permanently
park their
fuel-guzzling
limousines
private
governmental
and highly
subsidised
flying machines
and use their
much-touted
digital technology
to underpin
the ecology
will they see
the sense
of continuing the
video conference
with skype
or zoom
instead of
travelling
to a gathering
in a single
room
in bunches
for their free
lunches
the same
mentality
that drives people
to fly
hundreds of miles
to drink
beer and wine
or dine
on fish 'n chips
burgers
or schnitzel
in the sun
provided the
waiter
speaks your lingo
and you can
play bingo
all inclusive
but hardly
exclusive
who cares
if the country
is run by
a dictator
that's not
what
i paid for
and will we
revert to
being the
environmental
rule breakers
risk takers
terrace heaters
mass-produced
meat-eaters
hostages of
monoculture
cut-price
agriculture
kept alive by
pesticide
and carry on
being
passengers on
pollution factories
on the high seas
disgorging
reams
of garbage
and
tight-packed
tourist streams
to all corners
of the globe
to buy a
wardrobe
made by
children's hands
in third-world
lands
nature's
on the attack
fighting back
and we
can't see
the wood for
the trees
can't we recognise
reorganise
and take this -
probably the last -
chance
please
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 43
may the fourth
be
with you
it's surely
no disgrace
to escape
apace this
confined place
and
seek refuge
in
outer space
and establish
interface with
scifi's
hall of fame
those names
acquaintance
first made in
amazing stories
astounding tales
paperback sales
read under
the sheets
when dad left
on night shift
isaac asimov
father of robots
stanislav lem
solaris
ray bradbury
fahrenheit 451
ursula le guin
earthsea
philip k dick
electric sheep
frank herbert
dune
arthur c clarke
a space odyessy
robert a heinlein
spaceship troopers
h g wells
war of the worlds
jules verne
journey to the
centre of the earth
kurt vonnegut
slaughterhouse five
douglas adams
hitchhiker's guide
to the galaxy
just a snippet
a small but esteemed
selection
of authors who
carved their place
in literature
and
outer space
here's to them
their books
their films
their influence
their foresight
that
took us to
the moon
the stars
eventually
to mars
always before us
exploring
the boundless
universe
out there waiting
still debating
the limits of man's
exploration
and imagination
we
who are still
learning to fly
salute you
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 44
lockdown
was yesterday
now the
watchword is
opening-up
lockdown
suggested
a gaoler
jangling
his keys
clang
the iron door
all I saw in
the prison yard
were twos
and threes
often more on
river banks
parks
anywhere
where bans on
social gathering
were not
imposed
almost
everywhere
and cruising
strolling
riding by
forces of law
turning a
blind eye
with the
occasional
warning
ignored when
they moved on
suddenly we
rediscovered
the word
constitution
grundgesetz
übersetzt
little read
less understood
but contentment
knowing there's
always
an article or
amendment
defining our rights
and chances
regardless of
circumstances
and we
muttered
ever more
loudly
uttered our
disapproval
at the temporary
removal of
personal freedom
it's our
decision to
risk virus
collision
we don't need
big brother
supervision
and as for that
whatsinanapp
tracing
our movements
and behaviour
tracking
the thoughts
nervewracking
do me a
favour
it was forecast
before
1984
although
apple google
and co
read our minds
follow and satisfy
our every wish
long before
we know it
ourselves
thought police
on the
increase
but that's
not the same
is it
anyone can play the
blame game
but I promised
you
see line five
opening-up
restaurants
and bars
production
of cars
space to breathe
in others faces
it could be
a rash
decision to
let in the tourists
but we need
their cash
at first
all with masks
separate tables
real life fables
but that
won't last
and come
the summer
all off again
to morocco
and malawi
till we have
to brave
the second wave
a real tsunami
they'll fly us back
that's just
commonsense
at taxpayers
expense
and we start
all over
with fewer people
musical chairs
back to
social distancing
in pairs
but when
all is done
that's the risk
and where
there's
no risk
there's
no fun
open sesame
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 45
this is
corona advice
that few
will think about
twice
as every surface
in most rooms
in your house
or apartment
will be
covered up
to a great
extent
for days
it's therefore
probably best
to dust them first
unless this
crisis
has made you
a fan of
marie condo
so you can
eat off the floor
or invite people in
spontaneously
without any
sense of shame
or stress
or asking
your partner
to clear up
their personal
intimate
mess
except you can't
because of
the virus
the rest
of you
start
dusting
wiping
tidying now
remember life
before the
smartphone
or digital camera
taking your films
to be developed
printed
the best were
even mounted
then the
only way to
share
no social media
to post them
everywhere
with friends
and family
storing them
away in
shoeboxes
or cartons
whatever your
photographic
or pornographic
persuasion
well
now's the time
to get
sorted
the ones that
are faded
or where you
look jaded
with hair
out of a
a b movie
or some
third-rate
soap
not to mention
the clothes
no hope
they say
every style or
fashion
comes back
one day
i guess the
exception
proves the rule
it's unlikely that
you'll discover
graphic depictions
of sex
with the ex
or any other
lover
but there
are cases
and places
that
in all sincerity
might cause
unwanted
hilarity
if shared with
posterity
so get out
that
garbage bag
and scissors
dispatch them
to the trash
or better still
activate
your barbecue
or fireplace
and render all
to ash
it is better to
avoid
months of
neighbourhood
embarrassment
by providing
by consent
the people
next door
with a vast
thousand piece
historical
puzzle
of your past
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 46
the german
corona games
will open
officially on
15 may 2020
announcing this
chancellor schnee
stated
this is the will
of the people
in a follow-up
statement
tribune bashit
from the
north-western
ennerveyed
province
gave a
breakdown
of a popular
referendum
based on a
random survey
of 18 ultra followers
a largish
number of
semi-quarantined
hunger
corona games
athletes
and countless
sports
commentators
extrapolated
by independent
anti-viral
modellers
to faithfully
reflect the views
of 83.02 million citizens
the response was
overwhelming
so bashit
i believe
the results
speak for
themselves
99 % corona games
0.4 % stand-up comedy
0.3 % cinema
0.2 % street artists
0.04 % each
theatre and concerts
0.02 % died during
the survey
we won
get over it
libtards
virologists
and
culture vultures
we are das volk
as side
attractions
restaurants
bars
clubs
schools
kindergartens
brothels
and care homes
will open
24/7
during the games
expected to last
until
75 % of the
gladiators
are dead
or mortally ill
or the
economy
has recovered
by 12.5 %
whichever is
later
all available
ventilators
will be seized
and put at
the exclusive
disposal
of participants
and their
trainers
managers
foot-massagers
sponsors and
board members
until the winners
are corowned
gladiators will
only compete
against
each other
in a battle
of skills
tattoo variety
and coverage
imaginative
hair styling
and
mass hugging
demonstrations
but a fight to
the death
against the
invisible
nameless and
treacherous
enemy
provides the
real backdrop
to the games
may the best man
win
footnote
women
are excluded
from participation
in the games
as they will be
required
later
to interface
with the fittest
survivors
to restock
and rejuvenate
the decimated
population
of
new germania
Moral:
after the games
is before
the games
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 47
starting from
square one
is never easy
especially
if you thought
you were on
square ten and
the ladder
turns into
a snake
making
the start of
a new
sub-phase
of life
a slippery slope
to mix
metaphors
which is fun
and poetically
facilitating
it is however
intimidating
for a
little fish
when you are
released into
a large
deep
pond
full of other
larger
sleeker
fish
that have
long since
adapted
to the
temperature
and currents
a twelve-year-old
first days
at boarding school
all eyes on you
nowhere to hide
comfort zone
days weeks months
light-years
away
your bedroom
a dormitory
filled with
the snores
smells
fears
nightmares
tears
of others just
like you
and you slowly
but surely
realise
that hiding
in the
murky
bottom sludge
is not an
viable
option
the predators
have been there
too
and know its
ins and outs
so you adapt
rise
snap
the prize
of the surface
flies
from minnow
to barracuda
now sleek too
big fish
in small pond
puberty
survived
or at least
outlived
basking
as sharks
and whales
not a fish
but still
top of
the food chain
till the rod
or net of fate
scoops you up
crammed
with the
antibiotics
of life
but still
unready and
barely pubescent
and releases you
a little lonely
fish
once more
into the ocean
of adult
society
career
and strife
and the cycle
the first of many
in your life
is complete
but incomplete
before it starts
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 48
in 2025
those
who were
still alive
after we
recovered from
the plague
a disaster
we failed
to master
because of
tensions
competition
with lack of will
or determination
to promote
collaboration
cooperation
and
coordination
between nations
states
cities
towns
villages
families
went into
gradual
but inevitable
disintegration
the
industrial
technological
global-economical
artificial intelligence
revolutions
made way for the
level
revolution
as we
were to
call it
that is
the term we
became
vague
and initially
irrelevant
as we
tried
to decide what
structures
if any
outside the tribe
needed to be
reestablished
not easy as
with the
collapse of
industries
formerly called
service
retail
wholesale
manufacturing
finance
energy
even giants
brought
to their knees
apple
amazon
google & co
microsoft
implosion of
worldwide
communications
and with it
the skeletons
of governments
isolated from
policy and people
all tested
but one-by-one
infested
in bunkers
in the
appalachians
cotswolds
rockies
andes
urals
himalayas
quinlings
no customers
no citizens
no chance
no country
no economy
no tanks
no banks
no yachts
no kilowatts
just
scattered
survivors
living off a
surprisingly
untouched
unvirused
land
self-isolated
without knowing
from
what or who
or what to do
first
survival of
the nearest
and dearest
heartbreaking
stocktaking
tentatively
out-reaching
contacting
a fragile
mostly rural
web
of survivors
finding their
feet and
testing
the quality
of the
new-normality
in a world
whose definition
had changed
beyond
recognition
and a single
motivation
not to return
to nation
fight nation
brutal
disparity
and
trickle-down
charity
and so
as part of the
solution
we
took the name
of our
enforced revolution
we are
the
levellers.
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 49
today is
international
mother's day
i'm declaring it
my grandchildren's
day
third generation
our creation
our future
our hope
maybe
rehabilitation
these days
hope
is often
hard to find
so slight
that we need
a microscope
but it's there
and I can
prove it
in a distant
land
lived a grand
old man
who
for reasons
hard for us here
to understand
had no children
he wanted some
but they
didn't come
(here we must all
s i g h)
until one day
a wizard
passing by
seeing the
lonely old
grand man
devised a plan
and delving in
the sack
he carried
on his back
produced
a pack
of seeds
magic weeds
labelled
wonderful
tricks
or how to
harvest a
colourful
family mix
plant these
the shaman
said
the
old man
did
in a flower
bed
behind his
dwelling
after weeks
of watering
tending
waiting
(as you are now)
little shoots
sweet-smelling
with strong
roots
grew slowly
then faster
until they
were all
four foot tall
turning
their blossom
or face
to the sun
to embrace
its warm rays
until then
one summer
day
they pulled out
their roots
(strong ones -
remember)
one by one
and began
to play
the old man
emerging
to water
his plants
saw to his
astonishment
his flowers dance
and realised
dreamily
that he now had
a family
(here we must all shout
hurrah)
he gave them all
names
like
faith hope and
charity
taught them
games
there was
much hilarity
read them
tales
like this one
and
their days were
filled with
laughter
and somewhere
behind the
mountains
we hope
they still
live
happily ever after
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 50
fifty days
and nights
ago
i started
to write
these chronicles
after the outbreak
of corona
jesus christ
exclamation
bless him
only had
forty days
of
self-isolation
and i've still
to see a
single
hoof or hair
of satan
offering me
on the mountain
riches
beyond compare
enough of
bible study
the muddy
waters
holy or not
of religion
i don't need
any more
conspiracy
theories
when i read
that a cabal
of german bishops
and a few pals
cardinals
an aristocracy
in themselves
of a certain
persuasion
church of rome
if you must know
appear
to have lost
their reason
joining the
ranks of
treasonable
believers
that corona
is an instrument
for government
to establish
world domination
restricting
basic individual
liberty
religious expression
free speech
making us slaves
of the system
showing that
right-wing views
are also
widespread in
the so-called
intelligentsia
a poisonous
dangerous
cross-class
virus
next they'll
be denying
the shoah
clerics
like these
picked
benedict
now lurking
behind
monastery walls
at ninety-three
he still has
one or the other
devotee
ready to diss
francis
at every
opportunity
but this
was supposed
to be a
celebration
of these
chronicles
my creation
to relieve
frustration
and keep me
and perhaps
others
out of
the clutches
of a modern
satan
depression
despair
and total
negation
i can't
in all honesty
say
that i look
forward to
another
fifty days
sounds bizarre
but if it pays
off
que sera sera
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 51
if oscar wilde
was alive
today
not only would
he relish
the freedom
of being
gay
he would also
undoubtedly
characterise
the uk
as the
incapable
in pursuit
of the
unattainable
as the
eminently
sustainable
unicorn
bravely
standing proud
opposite the
toothless and
motheaten
and demoralised
lion
no longer
fit to be
called
the scion
of its
antecedents
has failed
to lay the
cherished
golden egg
hardly surprising
as no one
ever asked
if it was
a stallion
or a mare
or just didn't
care
or mind
as animals
of the equine
kind
are not in great
demand
as egg-layers
except in
wonderland
which brings me back
to the subject
of today's attack
on that fabled
institution
without
written
constitution
currently
parading
under the
nom de plume
of the
united kingdom
two words
neither of which
bear any
resemblance
to reality
it's a convenient
branding
of
english
superficiality
with a
desire for
just a little
empire
once more
to justify
their sinister
rule from
westminster
over picts,
celts and scots
and other
whatnots
from cornwall
to the
isle of man
but the days of
forelock-tugging
is long gone
the natives
have their own
game plan
outside the
confines
of these isles
united has been
indicted
and found wanting
leaving us with
a kingdom
aka
a record-breaking
queendom
remarkable that it
still matters
to her
with her family
in tatters
open rebellion
from
harry and meg-han
and alarming
doubts
about
the ability of
prince
once-charming
to don her mantle
but that's
incidental
all us grousers
know full well
that camilla
wears the trousers
and i wonder
if she sighs
when she signs
under the lies
of her government
or reads out
the breach
of promises
and trust
known as
the queen's speech
a waste of talent
that lady has
more sense
in her handbag
that the rest
could even attempt
to retain
in their
combined brain
shame about the
irrelevance
and my
irreverence
but if we really
want to play
happy families
and design
questions
for quiz shows
or fill time
and disperse
the gloom
hovering in the
dentist's
waiting room
deal me a new
set of cards
preferably
scandinavian
or dutch
they know
their place
and don't cost
half as much
and are
as anodyne
as coffee to go
from starbucks
united
kingdom
no -
i don't think so
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 52
if anyone
thinks
i have a
fixation
with a single
nation
there's some
truth in that
as regardless of
where you go
planned or
at the drop of
a hat
where
you were
born bred
kissed
loved
shed tears
shared pains
in your
formative
years
not to mention
genetic strains
are the basis
of the nows
and heres
but dwelling
on the past
as comfortable
as it may be
is neither
my thesis
today
or indeed
in any other way
i always was
and will be
a european
doubters
check my
biography
we have much
to be thankful
for
prosperity
no war
for seventy-five
years
although
stop
lest we forget
conflicts
by with and from
europeans
rising from fears
of colony loss
and other
national
gloss overs
vietnam algeria
cyprus and kenya
mozambique angola
korea malaya
the list goes on
different motives
same result
falklands
iraq
back to back
with our u s allies
to whom we
often give
the blame
but we're all
the same
to our
lasting shame
close to home
e t a
r a f
i r a
interventions in
bosnia kosovo
where else can
we go
taliban
in afghanistan
badass
putin rooting
in crimea
and donbass
isis in middle east
and mali
and who knows
where else
and if we
run out of
war tales
there's always
arms sales
good for the
economy
hard to justify
with
christian
ideology
and
чтобы мы не забыли
or
chtoby my ne zabyli
repression
agression
supression
in east germany
fifty-three
hungary
fifty-six
czechoslovakia
sixty-eight
total domination
of east bloc
nations
for
forty-four
long years
europe is far
from being the
shining star
east-west
north-south
tensions
are still about
but we're heading
the right way
that's for
discussion
another day
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 53 (bio)
two days
commentating
on politics
takes
a toll
on my
morale
so today
i'll play safe
and escape
from the
high moral
ground
to the
more sound
level
of my
personal
timeline
after school
selection board
for officer
training
two years
in all
academic and
tactical
seminars
and practical
education
at the
royal
military academy
sandhurst
compare here
west point and
st cyr
ending
with
commissioning
ball
champagne
and all
accompanied by
heather
a love that
couldn't last
forever
twenty-two
years
the longest
span of
my many
careers
and which
will get more
attention
than i
can possibly
mention
in one section
of the
chronicles
suffice it to say
sport, study
and training
some overseas
libya and cyprus
paved the way
for acceptance
in the
regiment of
my choice
and in the
irish
footsteps of
my fine
grandfather
o'brien
inniskilling
fusiliers
twentyseventh
infantry of the line
posted first
to gravesend
burial place
of pocohontas
great for weekends
in london
moon river
then
beatles and stones
we were young
and nothing
deterred us
except
perhaps
the news of
the kennedy
assassination
which rocked
and shocked
the american
and almost
every
other nation
lining the streets
of the capital
the state funeral
to say farewell
to another
great statesman
if you will
winston s churchill
but in between
despatched
at haste
christmas
at home
we had to
postpone
for nine months
to stop the
bloodshed
between
greek and turk
cypriots
and
as young men
the first baptism
of other's blood
murdered
in feuds
that had
brewed
for years
decades
and centuries
or so they
told us
on the island
of venus
british troops in
battle stations
on green lines
between
orthodox churches
and minarets
villages
and orange groves
soon we donned
the blue beret
of the
united nations
later we
come to
cold war
stationing
in europe
and the verges
of civil war
and minor insurrection
in africa
but that's
another section
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 54
birth
death
and everything
in between
the latter's
proving more
complicated
these days
confusion
reigns
in many ways
and
manifestations
locked in
let out
with the caution
keep your mask
on and
your distance
we must continue
to offer
resistance
to the
still
invisible
adversary
and have
consideration
for those
with preconditions
whose liberty
in the future
is also your
responsibility
but there are
more and more
who are unaware
or don't care
or heed
the need
for protection
hygiene
demonstrators
and
other
conspirators
who blame our
fates
on plots
by bill gates
and the
secret state
seeking
domination of
our lives
by inoculation
embedded chips
causing
disorientation
and tracing our
every move
and thought
and persuade
us somehow
that
the earth
is not flat
a theory
by the way
debunked
by every cat
who would
have pushed
all objects
over the
edge by now
but we are numb
and succumb
to the bromide
vapours
we inhale
every time
we see a
con trail
it's one small
jab for man
but one
giant leap for
those of a kind
seeking to
control your
mind
with vaccination
of nation
after
nation
and believe us
there is no
corona
tell me
where
do you see
the virus
said the
president
of belarus
evangelicals
and others
of that
leaf
share the belief
that hope
and above all
prayer
will deter
the spawn
of wuhan
or satan
catch me
if you can
what a relief
the triumph of
common sense
say trump
and pence
don't shirk
get back to work
take our advice
and make
a sacrifice
for the usa
we'll pay for
mass burials
when the
bulldozers
are stalled
by corpses
that's only fair
cause we couldn't
afford universal
healthcare
the priority
is the
economy
the real intention
securing our
re-election
lockdown or better
lock-up
should be the fate
for those behind
obamagate
that police state
with
dirty cops
and african-born
potentates
trying
by all means
to stop
me and my team
in twenty sixteen
not knowing
that i
am the
chosen one
i won't say
his name
for fear of
blasphemy
but for me
he
to whom
we pray
if we are inclined
that way
and he
and his son
have promised me
another four years
from
twenty twenty one
which leaves
me
with only
one more
conspiracy
theory
and that is
they're out to get me
you may ask who
if i knew the answer
to that question
i wouldn't need
to hire
a psychiatrist
to cure my
paranoia
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 55
yesterday
war and
peace
or
calmness
and tension
was given
a new
dimension
by trump's
space force
or as i prefer
star wreck
or
starship
improvise
and its
official
inauguration
a word that
has taken on
a new
meaning
since
twenty seventeen
changed
the game
heralding the
death knell
of a
nation
then fit and well
but four years
later in
a very
different
situation
with the
blame
for this drama
being
shifted
to obama
funny that
he hasn't yet
been named
the owner
of corona
but there's
time yet
he's
not chinese
which
should put
his mind
partly
at ease
but back
to the
space force
which
excites
my fantasy
as i see
the c-in-c
cruising
in his
thirteen-striped
death star
destroying
chinese junk
and
russian scrap
and any
other alien
crap
from afar
with
super-duper
hypersonic
weapons
of war
a cyberjunkie
in a race
to extend
american
influence to
outer space
as he behaves
like britannia
long long ago
when she
ruled the
waves
those were the
days
i wager
boris
is having
a severe case
of jealous
rage
he's got
no such
diversion
from his
corona
mishandling
and
perversion
both to blame
but no sign
of shame
as death tolls
rise
and poll
numbers
plummet
but that
can be
covered up
by bragging
and bluster
at the next
summit
it just
doesn't seem
to bother them
at all
and from
his lofty perch
among the stars
slightly to the left
of mars
our hero
hovers
an orange
mekon
and ponders
with what
wonders
he now can
surprise
perhaps a plan
like the
demise
caused by a
hypersonic
thunderbolt
from the skies
of his rival
one-time lover
little
rocketman
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 56
it is
doubtful
if many
or indeed
any
of those
who have
the time
and bother
to read
these lines
have ever
consumed
spam
aka a
middle class
treat
under the
posh name of
luncheon meat
let alone
wild
or canned
snoek
unless you
happen
like me
to be
a wartime
child
when we
existed
hand
in mouth
or live in
south Africa
and eat
snake
mackerel
but back to
spam
as its real
claim
to fame
came
in that
popular
telethon
known
worldwide
under the
name of
monty python
where
spam
will always be
associated
by the
cognoscenti
of whom there
are plenty
in the context
of fun with
mr and mrs
bun
and their
despair at
spam
with
everything
there
is a legend
in my
defence
invented
as i type
this text that
spam
is an
acronym
for
served
primarily
at
mealtimes
but i
wouldn't
give either that
or the plot
that
king arthur
presided over the
court of
spam-a-lot
much credence
so next
due to its
ubiquity
and repetitive
inanity
depriving many
of their sanity
it became a
synonym
for the
irritation
caused by the
pandemic
aberration of
unsolicited
electronic
communication
formerly
and latterly
known as
spam
under which
we all suffer
and believe
few things
could be more
nerving
than mails
fulfilling
the criteria
of a
million dollar
transfer from
a prince
in nigeria
or a literal
niagara
of offers from
purveyors
of viagra
but there's worse
and that's the
curse of
the ever-flowing
fount of
warnings
filling your
inbox
or social
media
account
most mornings
from
well-meaning
colleagues or
friends
of the
circulation
of viruses
don't-open
videos
and my
pleas and
advice
that the cure
is worse
than the
disease
are ignored
its considered
not nice
to criticise
those who only
want to
help
and damning
to suggest
they are the ones
who are
spamming
and then
there's a
very special
form of
spam
and i don't
mean
the trolls
to the west of
the urals
a professional
band
whose hands
are anyway full
running brexit
with a special
section
working day
and night
on the political
dynamite
to destroy
any democratic
outcome in
the upcoming
presidential
election
no
the ones
i mean
are the
cut paste
and share
scene
pestering you
in a sort of
truth promise
or dare
challenge
to reveal
and prepare
on consecutive
days
for all to
appraise
your
ten best
album covers
former lovers
favourite books
what you prefer
to cook
or other
personal matters
you would
rather overlook
but what i
really hate
is the demand
to nominate
and probably
alienate
ten more
unsuspecting
friends
to post
and pass on
the theme
that's what i call
spam
supreme
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 57
it's not
hard to
understand
those who
are on the streets
demonstrating
against the
curtailment
of our personal
liberties
nothing new of
course
the powers
that be
try it on
from
time to time
sorry
we're having
a war
even when
the enemy is
invisible
and things
like that
it all started
for us
when a man
came down
from a
mountain
with the new
restrictive rules
carved in
tablets of stone
which is quite
impressive
in itself if
you've ever
tried it
the same man
#justsaying
who earlier
had a
conversation
with a burning
bush and
still kept the
support
of his base
nothing new
to see here
well
little that
was chiselled
into those
stones
has survived
the test of time
it didn't take
long for us
to find other
gods and
idols are
two-a-penny
these days
from
somalia's
got talent
to
love island
and we all
had posters
on our
bedroom walls
or in our
school or work
lockers
featuring
pretty
young men
or
scantily clad
ladies and
taking the
name
of the
lord our god
in vain
was
commonplace
until it was
replaced with
the
international
and
all-purpose
interchangeable
multilingual
fuck
that was rarely
heard in
the home
above all
from the
mouths of
babes and
sucklings
until the concept
of honour
thy father and
mother
became very
old school
a seemingly
harder nut
to crack
is killing or
murder
but exceptions
can be made
and are
sending young men
out to war
to gain
one or the other
economic
advantage
is ok
and legal
executions
are the order
of the day
and not just
in backward
countries
adultery
was and is
never
taken
seriously
from bathsheba
to boris
solomon to
seehofer
the same
class of
people
from political
hypocrites
to hedge fund
managers
whose wealth
doesn't come
from
philanthrophy
but hands
in other's pockets
while bearing
false witness
has become
a public
and private
sport
now called
#fakenews
or
alternatively
alternative
facts
which brings
us to number
ten in more
ways than one
as coveting
wanting
craving for
hankering after
your neighbour's
wife
goods
manservant
maidservant
ox
ass
the list is
endless
is actively
encouraged
in our society
the pr industry
wouldn't survive
from one
day to the next
without
arousing our
envy
of everything
our neighbours
have and
urging us
to buy better
more
my car
my house
my accessory
and when
all else fails
the catch 22
is the eleventh
commandment
thou shalt
not get
caught
proving that
restricting
liberties
never works
in the long run
relax and go
home
big brother
is looking
after you
but just
remember
the earth was
not a disc
even before
galileo
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 58
it just won't
go away
personal
liberties
are the subject
of heated
discussion
almost every
day
and why
shouldn't i
have my
say
especially
when driving
along the
motorway
and some
turbo-charged
idiot
living the
motto
clear the way
for free
citizens
carves me up
from the service
lane
one hundred and thirty
should be
fast enough
for anyone
unless your
name is
vettel or
hamiliton
and then you
can go to
monza or
silverstone
to do
your ton
well
the corona
crisis
seemed to
be having
an effect
the roads
were relatively
empty
recently
perfect
for pedestrians
and pop-up
cycle lanes
in the city
twentfive percent
less accidents
and fewer dead
and the
penalty
for speeding
in
built-up areas
and zones
like
hospitals
schools and
care homes
were intensified
making
offenders to
pariahs
costing them
their licence
for a month
or so
and now
our traffic
minister
besieged
by lobbyists
help yourself
don 't mind
if i do
csu
there's a job
lined up
for me
after politics
you see
has had
the
be-scheuer-te*
idea
not to book them
but to let them
off the hook
so to say
with just
a fine
albeit hefty one
to pay
but no
deterrence
to those
who can afford
a line
or three of
stardust
up their nose
every day
so the
message
goes out
that it's not
the majority
eighty percent
at the
last count
to whom
authority
listens
but those
who shout
loudest or
offer bunches
- one is never
enough -
of free lunches
or a place
on the board
we've heard
it all before
doesn't that
strike a
chord
somewhere
we miss you
ff sake
ff future
but don't
pack away
your placards
and banners
come back soon
not just on
fridays
and keep up
the pressure
without you
it will be
tempting
for those
with a say
to fall back
into their
old ways
and you
can be sure
of one thing
you're
not alone
above all
we are more
and more
and have
listened to your
wake-up
call.
*German pun. Bescheuert translated = nuts or barmy, a quality not confined to German politicians. Andreas Scheuer is the current transport minister, and member of the Bavarian Christian Socialist Union (CSU), whereby the definitions Christian and socialist are interpreted somewhat differently.
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 59
after more
than
two months
in absolute
solitary
detention
today we
have the
intention
to venture
afar
into the
brandenburg
countryside
about a
forty minute
ride in
the car
to ferch
a village
surrounded by
birch
and other
woodland
where our
friends
stay
in summer
in their
chalet
close to the
schwielowsee
by mutual
insistence
we will
it goes surely
without saying
be paying
respect to
the social
distance
rules
we're no
fools
and as the
weather
is nice
we can sit in
the garden
enjoying
the sun
and fresh air
a rare treat
for us
enforced
city dwellers
and even
mask-to-mask
it will be
a welcome
change
from zoom
in a room
or telephone
conversations
with technically
less-advanced
friends and
relations
fresh local
asparagus
and
strawberries
will combine
with a
glass of wine
to leave us
with a memory
of a fine
day in the
countryside
when we return
to hide
from
the virus
inside
our four walls
and hoping
that soon
perhaps sometime
in june
we can pack
our bags
and the cats
finally
on our way
to our second
home
less than
three hundred
kilometres
away
and spend
the remains
of the summer
on the patio
with
now and again
cum bona ratio
a round
of golf
to help
get rid of
the extra
pounds
accrued
in the
duration of
involuntary
isolation
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 60
you have
to be
a paid-up
member
of arsebook
and the like
to follow this
if not
you are excused
for the rest
of today
are we
already practising
for 5g
and the unlimited
bandwidth
it promises
or desperately
thinking up
the next
mind-numbing
thumb-twiddling
barbiturate
to soothe
the pain of
corona
under the
rubric
things
i would
never
invite or
induce
people
i regard
even remotely as
friends
to do
or
supposedly
fun things
you'll never
do again
thanks dfw
like group
sudoku
or
issuing
challenges
for anything
except
nude bathing
on the moon
now i've
probably
sown
the seed of
another idea
which
will be
exploited to
include
under the
moon or
ill met
by
moonlight
and won't be
restricted to
moon bathing
but
a range
of other
mooning
activities
and knowing
some people
i know
the druids
will be
out in force
and human
sacrifices
at the solstice
may be
on the cards
but as often
occurs
in these
chronicles
my brain
overtakes
my fingers
and i race
away so far
from the
main point
that i have
problems
catching up
but let's
give it
a try
i sometimes
wonder
where
i have been
and
what
i've been doing
the past
seventy-seven
years
i don't rise
to the bait
and post
ten things
for
ten days
to
ten friends
but it's
impossible
to completely
ignore
the existence
of such
drug rings
and their
peddlers
and
addicts
if you've made
the choice to
consume
social media
and
believe me
once
you're in
you're in
i have heard
tales of
withdrawal
symptoms
that would
make your
brazilian
stand on end
worse than a
slow death
by a
thousand knives
but i'm off
course again
i've seen
book covers
and vinyl
album covers
beyond my ken
have i been
missing
something
anyway it's
too late
to catch up
even if i
wanted to
and if i ever
succumb to
the siren calls
of these
esoterica
spreaders
or the
demanda
to share
a meme
supporting
homeless
tatooed
chimpanzees
or gallant
little autistic
chess players
and if
i don't
i will be
ostracised and
consigned
to the
ninety-nine
percent of
heartless
non-carers
if i ever
have a weak
moment
do me
one big
favour
do
not
resuscitate
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 61
„𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰ß 𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩, 𝘢𝘶𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘢𝘴 𝘬𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘩“
"𝘍𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘣 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘵"
democracy
a delicate
plant
is the most
valuable
commodity
in our
society
and its
strengths
conceal its
potential
weaknesses
freedom
of speech
and expression
the right for
all to have
and
vent their
opinion
without
fear of
repression
something
we take for
granted
the choice
whether or not
its wanted or
we take it
to raise our
voice
against
real and
perceived
tyranny
or sometimes
simply to
remind
politicians
and other
decision-makers
that they were
elected
by us
on their
promises
and
results
are expected
but increasingly
the change
in the
range
and speed of
communications
between
governments
citizens
and indeed
nations
has led to
a subtle shift
in reactions
to events
and
actions
the vertical
and grudging
trickle-down
of information
like
squeezing
blood from
a stone
has become
a virtual
bone
of contention
to a society
that
communicates
broadly
widely
swiftly
horizontally
and with
great
variety
linking
old and young
rich and poor
sometimes even
left centre
and right
requiring answers
to their
questions
in real time
but the
body politic
is still
struggling
to take
the vital
step from
analogue to
digital
flirting with
social media
from twitter
to redacting
their image
on wikipedia
but poor in content
whether by
neglect
arrogance
or intent
which has
allowed
the forces
of the right
to achieve
a headstart
and persuade
the undecided
mass
of the lower
middle
and yes
upper class of
institutional
manipulation
in almost
every
situation
from
what else
migration
to creeping
and
targeted
violation of
of their
rights with
lockdown
and secret plans
for compulsory
medication
fuelling the
hates
and suspicion
of the methods
and
real mission
of bill gates
but the real
insidious
threat
is how
they turn
facts
on their head
learning from
breitbart and
infowars
brazenly
sewing on their
yellow stars
with the
word
stigmatised
the new
description
instead of
jew
in recognition
of the new
alleged
oppression
culprits not
victims
we are
the casualties
of the new
holocaust
they cry
prisoners
locked in like
anne frank
(using her face
on a t-shirt
the ultimate
insult and
disgrace)
at the behest
of the
deep state
waving copies
of the
constitution
and the
hijacked
black red gold
flags
of the post-war
republic
unfold
on marches
and
demonstrations
one nation
against
the lies and
deception
of the
mainstream
media
these are the
real danger to
our
hard-won
democracy
forget
the flat-earthers
anti-vaxxers
and other
camp followers
they are just
ballast and
camouflage for
the neo-nazis
alternative for
germany
and their allies
with their
lies denials
and
misinformation
amongst the
vulnerable
and insecure
grist to
their mill
of hatred
and bloodshed
all fine people
as we are
constantly told
by the brash
and bold
ever-trumpers
leading the way
what did
we always say
everying produced
in the us of a
good or bad
happy or sad
lands up here
anyway
…..
y'all have a good day
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 62 (bio)
i'm not one
who can
endlessly
quote
song titles
or has
at hand
the name
of every
third-class
band
and i
am lost with
the basics
of the
classics
and whereas
i like to
listen to jazz
discussions of
its branches
roots and
other
razzmatazz
leaves me out
on a limb
but i'll
up the ante
and claim
that although i'm
a musical
dilettante
rhythm and
song
have run
in my blood
and family tree
for a long
time
as you
will see
beginning
with a
distant
great-granduncle
on the
o'brien side
he was
a storyteller
seanchaí
and songwriter
but few
now know
where the
beautiful
rivers flow
i swear
my mother
was singing
as she
gave birth to me
and she sang
me irish
lullabys
and recited
verse
celebrating
irish
history
and grandfather
o'brien
played his fiddle
most nights
one folk song
after another
with mother
singing along
that's how i
learnt the
song line
of numerous
irish dittys
by the time
i was nine
my very welsh
father
on the other hand
loved musicals
and operetta
and so we
learnt less
about
the classics
and considerably
more of the
white horse inn
and porgy
and bess
the headmaster
of our small
but fine
catholic primary
school
played the organ
and had ten
children
to our nine
and fulfilled his
musical desire
by forming
a choir
we not only
sang
the mass
in latin
but performed
at weddings
with the bride
in satin
and even
competed
in welsh
at an eisteddfod
at school
i still sang in
high key
and
we also learned
welsh
and english
folksongs
taking my
total
to three
then the
benedictines
in polyphonic
descant
taught me
gregorian chant
and i first
trod the boards
and sang
with much
elan
in the comic
operas of
gilbert &
sullivan
likewise
from fellow pupils
and masters
came the introduction
or rather
induction
to trad jazz
and next
the
inimicable
ballads
of
that
humorous
harvard whiz
tom lehrer
i still know
almost
every text
of his
at the
officers
academy
in addition to
tactics
i also
participated
in
amateur
dramatics
my irish-bred
heritage
also stood
me in good
stead
in the
inniskilling
fusilíers
where
after a few
beers
in germany
canada
and other
foreign bases
sometimes with
instrumental
support
we intoned
rebel and
orange songs
from ireland
the south
and the north
at a later age
i was once
again
to appear on
the stage
in one or
the other
amateur
production
and i'm
pleased to
say that with
encouragement
but without
instruction
the
musical gene
has been
handed on
to the next
and following
generation
and some of
my readers
will know
that on
st david's day
i still
unfailingly
burst into song
singing until
i'm hoarse -
land of
my fathers -
in welsh
of course
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 63
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose?
there are
countless
discussions
on the
future
repercussions
or lasting
effects
of the corona
crisis
and
occasionally
i suspect
that
the virus
has
indirectly
led to the
mutation
of certain
social
imprints
that had
taken hold
as everyday
habits
but which
were
perhaps
an aberration
increasingly
exercised
in relation
to an
everyday
situation
such as
hugging
or kissing
as a
display
of simulated
affection
which we
can
afford to
forgo
instead of
being reserved
for signals
of sexual
or deep-felt
emotion
and so
diminishing
the sympathy
expressed
at the
passing of a
loved one
to the level
of
chit-chat
exchanged
over a
latte
macchiato
and when
i think
back to
my annual
influenza
vaccination
the waiting
room full
of a
sniffling
coughing
sneezing
compilation
of patients
my hair
stands on end
and i become
aware
that in future
i won't
possess
the patience
just to
sit there
maskless
and
as for shaking
hands
that I will
resist
on a doctors
or other
professional
visit
and it
will be
banned
from my
social
agenda
as we
know
its original
function
was to
show
your
opponent
that you
had no
weapon
in your
hand
and make
he or she
believe
you had
nothing
up your
sleeve
now we
know better
our hands
are a
virtual
arsenal
of viruses
germs and
bacteria
an invisible
army
waiting to
inflict
malaria
yellow fever
and
diptheria
on our
unsuspecting
acquaintances
and friends
so let's
give more
than a
scanty
thought
to our
social
trends
before we
return to
the
status
quo ante
and that's
where
today's
lecture
ends
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 64
occupation
is the key
word in
these difficult
times
when many
forms of
recreation
are banned
or subject to
restriction so
one way
to cope
and generate
a little
hope
at times
before it's
too late
is to
travel
in the land
of rhymes
this week
we'll
celebrate the
foundation
of the
old poets'
society
fifty days
of poetic
variety
and joy
with themes
beyond the
dreams
of the
οἱ πολλοί
from
groundhog day
to
first of
may
around the
world in
eighty days
and other
fabulous
schemes
i have
pledged
to conceal
the real
identity
of my fellow
rhymers
suffice it
to say
that we have
discovered
in the course
of time
day after day
that the
migrant
is sometimes
a tyrant
and a hard
taskmaster
but that
no one is
faster
than the
schabernack
when it's
his turn
to catch
the early worm
and
not many
can measure
with the
pleasure
that
mr penny
dispenses
at his leisure
but
late at night
the iceman
at the
height
of his powers
is almost
always right
i will have to
assume
that all are
d'accord
with their
nom de plume
as i went
out on a
limb
selecting
a pseudonym
for my
fellow
travellers
without
asking them
i just hope
they don't
look askance
at my
suggestion
and question
my stance
for this
could mean
the end
of a
beautiful
bromance
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 65
categorisation
is an
effective
and
comforting way
to get
through
yet another
day
of corona
isolation
keeping
one's mind
on another
tack
a useful lever
to avoid
slipping back
into
inward
contemplation
and resignation
and suffering
yet another
attack
of
cabin fever
incidentally
called
lagerkoller
if you
are a
german
scholar
looking out of
my window
feeling like
a re-run
of one of
my
favourite
jimmy stewart
films
i see those
making light
of all
rules and
restrictions
on the
building site
opposite
with not a
mask
in sight
but almost
every man
with an
enviable
suntan
and
when he turns
his back
no lack
of plumber's
crack
next
a breed
not alone
left to
their own
devices
but
being towed
along
by canines
of various
sizes
but there's
something's
wrong
as i only
notice
those with
plastic
pouches
for their
pooches
droppings
and fail to
register
the minority
who
scuttle by
with no intent
of removing
their animal's
poo
until
i venture
outside
and it's there
immediately
and inevitably
on
my
shoe
and finally
the
fleet and slow
a constant
flow
of cyclists
joggers
the elderly
whose names
i do
not know
strolling
with their
mobile
zimmer frames
strangely
askew
to buy
their weekly
lottoschein
lottery ticket
to you
with the
same
numbers
that never
come up
as i never
hear of their
instant fame
or see
them
ride back
in a
cadillac
just part of
my world
passing by
every day
except on
sunday
then it's
quite
empty
on the building
site
but the dogs
are still on
show
even on the
lord's day
there's
no delay
or
cessation
in their
regular
defecation
on the floor
but does it
always
have to be
just outside
my front door
and at
four
in the
afternoon
the
zimmer frames
are rolling
in convoy
to enjoy
coffee and
schwarzwälderkirschtorte
with
son-on-law and daughter
and if
still living
their spouse
in the
wiener
kaffeehaus
i'll leave
them there
for now
and
give a thought
to how
and if
i will
conclude
this
interlude
with an
occasional
rhyme
but
not now -
another time
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 66
it's just
not the
window-gazing
that fuels
my imagination
and curiosity
but daily
observation
of
events
at home
and away
from china
to the
us of a
and sources
near
or far
but today
i'll stay
here
to comment
on the
double
morality
or rather
the
reality
of life
in good old
germany
to mask
or not
to mask
that is here
the duality
whether
'tis clever
in the end
to suffer
the pains
and
sorrows
of
outrageous
misfortune
or to wear
masks
against
a breath of
viruses
and by
distancing
end them
the first
and
foremost
category
is the
no mask
under any
circumstances
fraternity
not all
by any
stretch
of the
imagination
a conspiracy
theorist
or a
pegida
krieger
but there's
no lack
of
anti-vaxxers
or those
who
perplex
with their
taunts
against the
so-called
soros-rothschild-gates
complex
one can
also include
those who
flaunt
with the
crude
belief
that if
they're not
sick
black brown yellow
or old
they're immune
to almost
everything
except
the common
cold
but now
i'm giving them
more than
average
coverage
which is
exactly what
politics and
the media
should not
for
promotion
of such
unfounded
and
dangerous
notions
is grist
to their mill
endowing
their
small
and pathetic
demonstration
with
a significance
prominence
and an
over-inflation
well beyond
their actual
influence
or a
reflection
of the current
situation
there are
other
categories
i'd like
to treat
but not
today
or even
this week
for as
confucius
he say
and probably
still
in beijing
there's a
time and place
for everything
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 67
quarantining - making me a
prisoner in my
personal
purlieu
provides
plenty of
possibilities to
philosophise and
ponder on the
past and
present
prompting a
plethora of
persistent
pictures some
positive and
pleasurable others
peaceful even
painful of
previous
people
places
performances all
pieces of a
puzzle
patiently
put together to
provide a
partly but
permanent and
powerful
portfolio of
private
practices in a
position to
practise
principally
politics of
potentially
popular and
preferential
principles and I
pray that I am
privileged to
progress
profit from and
pursue these
prospects for
posterity and
perhaps
pass them on
perfectly to my
progeny
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 68
today
we should be
having
a party
to celebrate
fifty
days of
i quattro
letterati
but the virus
and
the need
to comply
with the
rules of
social
separation
rule out
immediate
physical
celebration
and
so we are
obliged to
postpone it
to a later
date
but
we have all
concurred
it's just
a pleasure
deferred
or
aufgeschoben
ist nicht
aufgehoben
the saying
preferred
in this neck
of the
woods
but what
the heck
the days are
growing
longer
the sun is
getting
stronger
and
before we are
much older
the beer
will be
colder
the wine
ripening on
the vine
the schnaps
in the freezer
with the
glasses
waiting for
us chaps
and for the
abstainer
no booze
don't panic
we'll
put down
a retainer
for the
finest
guaranteed
organic
freshly-pressed
apple or
orange
juice
and then
fellow
rhymers
comes the time
to meet
and greet
in person
accompanied
by our
chief-of-staff
aka
better half
whom we
diplomatically
if not
automatically
upgrade to
she who
must be
obeyed
although
i know
despite
the good cheer
from force
of habit
fear of
consequence
or just
plain
commonsense
we won't
get closer
than
a metre or so
although
after this life
of isolation
swapping verse
in desperation
and frustration
it will represent
a poetic
crescendo
our
motto
of the day
on this
cursory
but
unforgettable
fiftieth
anni-verse-ary.
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 69
duelling
guitars
is the
challenge for
would-be
bards
today
it appears that
despite the
huge array
of modern
bands
and
music idols
people are
still
prepared
to pay
big money
for the thrills
of a
concert by
that group of
aged rockers
surviving
with little fuss
on
viagra plus
beta-blockers
and other
pills
their
comfort zones
a past by date
the one
and only
rolling stones
it's sad for
fans of
my generation
who
had great
adulation for
the beatles
that their
career
as a group
didn't last
long
only
ten years
but fifty
years on
people
young and old
still remember
almost every
song
and albums
vinyl and cd
even
cassettes
can be found
in the
collections
of anyone
and anywhere
you care
to mention
the break-up
began
for me a
no-no
with pot
and
hair peace
and the
influence of
yoko ono
and then
john
was shot
paul still
sings
after a
fashion
after his solo
career with
wings
george
and ringo
also
did their
own things
for a while
but after their
inseparable
period
of fame
nothing
was ever
the same
again
but behind
this saga of
unrivalled
british
pop rock
success
it only fair
to address
and give credit
to the man
who inspired
not just
the beatles
and stones
but a host
of other
great talent
from
eric clapton
to
elton john
and threescore
or even more
musicians
whose names
are remembered
in the
rock and roll
hall
of fame
his music
based on
swing jazz
american folk
and blues
was
unconventional
with much
intentional
humour
and used
improvised
instruments
it became
known as
skiffle
and provided the
inspiration
and motivation
and laid
the foundation
for the
formative
musical years
of the
sixties and
seventies
paving the way
for much of
the music
we know
today
originally
with the
given names
anthony
james
a glasgow man
he is
better known
to most as
lonnie donegan
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 70
i
can't
breathe
the new
battle hymn
of the
republic
and tragic
re-definition of
taking
a knee
as
protesters
seethe
and america
burns
as brown white
yellow black
express
their
concerns
and the lack
of fair
treatment
and
representation
in this
trump-split
nation
creating
the frustration
and
desperation
that leads to -
take a bow
the young girl
in minnesota
who
said it all
we defend
ourselves in
the only way
we know how -
as fires rage
and events
unroll on
the stage
that is
murica
not only in
minneapolis
but
nationwide
los angeles
san francisco
chicago
atlanta
denver
philadelphia
pittsburg
seattle
miami
cleveland
columbus
portland
milwaukee
salt lake city
if number
fortyfive
thinks
that the
finest people
alive
toting
automatic
weapons
in state
capitals
was the
script of
a rehearsal
to unite
the right
and survive
the
disaster of
election night
and take that
fourth term
by hook
or by crook
he is
mistaken
the civil war
he often
hints at
and sometimes
openly
demands
is no
longer
in his hands
as the nation
awakes
and is
aroused
by his
mistakes
and all his
not-so-subtle
and racial
evocation
borrowed from
the times
of segregation
when
the looting
starts
the
shooting
starts
and let
alone the
threat of
ominous
weapons
in the
grounds
of the
white house
the vision
intended
or not
of
snarling
vicious dogs
recall
vividly the
bloodhounds
set on
the trail
of escaped
slaves and is
one of the
most appalling
freudian slips
to fall
from
the lips of
a sitting
president
but this
is now
the norm
commonplace
mores the pity
pouring oil
in the fire
is the
hallmark
of this man
hail to
the chief
and revival
of the
ku klux klan
the pressure
is off
time to
move on
with six
months to go
the tirades
on
and with
take minds off
one hundred thousand
deaths
through
ignorance
and
mismanagement
soaring
unemployment
with just
six months
to go
it's time
without fail
to get back on
the campaign
trail
and feed
his base
with anger
and hate
with
distractions
like obamagate
marshalling
his armies
at
infowars
q anon
breitbart
furthering
the goals
of
russian
trolls
baiting
real leaders
of other
g seven
nations
with
party
invitations
and if he
can't compel
them to visit
his pandemic
hell
preferably
in his own
hotel
then tell
them
to their
face
the party's
over i never
wanted it
in the
first place
and while
his fascist
allies
dream up
racist
lies and
white
supremacists
infiltrate
the protesters
and
manipulate
the anger
of the latter
let's not
forget that
yes
black lives
do
matter
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 71
carnal is
as carnal
does
each year
upon
the streets
of bonn
often
ascribed to
alcohol
which lends
a buzz
and totally
perplexes
the morals
of both
sexes
that leads to
scenes
in the
over-sixteens
or so
it's said
of strangers
climbing
into bed
with those
to whom
they are
not wed
usually
without respect
or care
of age
appearance
dark or fair
even sex
which leads to
situations
quite complex
and often
disappointing
and in
some
positions
disjointing
so in
future
don't
imitate the
kama sutra
for all
involved
not least
the failure
i fear
caused by an
excessive intake
of kölsch
(a strong
german beer)
despite
sometimes
overriding
passion
to complete
in the desired
fashion
the act of
bodily
interaction
to mutual
satisfaction
not to mention
further
complications
that can
cater
for growth
in birth rates
nine months
later
as also
furious
marital
debates
that sadly
come too late
in the day
to allay
the suspicions
neither partner
wanted to
openly
say
often
resulting
in a quest
for a
paternity
attest
this annual
phenomenon
according
to research
done by
someone
whose name
is here
foreswore
can be laid
squarely
at the door
of the
roman catholic
church
whose calls
on the faithful
to fast
for
four weeks
from fleshly
repast
has served to
fire a
hunger carnal
satiated
during the final
days of
carnival
but the church
has made
an important
concession
in the
aftermath
one can go to
confession
sincerely profess
one's misdeeds
and lo
ego te absolvo
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 72
america
is
hope
america
is
regret
america
is
life
america
is
death
america
is
open
america
is
shut
america
is
future
america
is
past
america
is
leadership
america
is
inability
america
is
respect
america
is
disdain
america
is
bleeding
america
is
burning
america
is
gassing
america
is
anarchy
america
is
rioting
america
is
looting
america
is
shooting
america
is
killing
america
is
anarchy
answer
is
military
america
is
rioting
answer
is
brutality
america
is
looting
answer is
equality
america
is
kneeling
america
is
weeping
america
is
anti-fascist
anti-fascist
is
terrorism
fascists
are
fine people
america
is
fascist
a body camera
is
an ornament
a police cruiser
is
a weapon
guns
are
justice
brutality
is
agenda
a bible
is
decoration
a church
is
a photo-op
a bunker
is
cowardice
a journalist
is
fair game
fox news
is
good news
real news
is
fake news
other news
is
the enemy
communication
is
is
censorship
is
bad
ignorance
is
education
black
is
bad
white
is
supreme
law
is
order
protest
is
domestic terrorism
tear gas
cures
corona
north
is
south
left
is
right
civil
is
war
war
is
bone spurs
commander
is
chief
hail
to the
chief
china
is
virus
north korea
is
rocketing
iran
is
evil
russia
is
hoax
democrats
are
rats
republicans
are
submissive
lies
are
truth
two and two
make
twenty-two
forty-five
is
eight
pussy
is
grab
hair
is
sad
tan
is
fake
daughter
is
date
america
is
first -
to the
last
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 73
i've no
desire
to
go
to the
next item
on the
agenda
while the
neighbour's
house
is
on fire
it's
impossible
to listen
to a
so-called
christian
who beats
gasses
and blinds
his own
citizens
to use
a church
as a
backdrop
and the
holy word
as a
theatrical-
political
prop
exposing the
sick and
twisted
minds
behind
the posturing
using
biblical
tracts
to justify
and give
credence to
alternative
facts
a man
who tweets
a hundred
times
when a
black man
goes down
on one knee
to protest
inequality
but where's
the tweet
when
the knee
is not
on the
ground
but on a
windpipe
till
there's
no sound
and when
his actions
rebound
instead of
healing words
it's
division
and
derision
instead of
decision
and
vision
when
the only
tool
in your
toolbox
is a
hammer
everything
is a
nail
and that
he does
that
without
fail
to
pound
out the
message
strength
must
prevail
and incite
those good
people
to carry
their guns
resist any
attempt
to change the
second
amendment
protest and
attest
their right
to fight
any
curtailment
of their
freedom
and liberty
but don't
riot
and protest
institutionalised
brutality
and
historical
inequality
you've no
right
to defend
or attack
oppression
and
ultimately
fatality
that's
secession
if you're
black
i've
avoided
using
the title
president
as that
derives
from
the word
preside
control
govern
manage
direct
lead
and guide
not
mismanage
neglect
and divide
who can
respect
a man
who claims
to have
done more
for
black people
than any
president
since
abraham lincoln
and then
seeks
to recreate
the battle of
bull run
and
desecrate
the memory
of one
who ended
slavery
which you
appear
to want
undone
i search
in vain
for a suitable
emoticon
but
should the time
come
when
militias
and other
rebel bands
take matters
into
their own
fine
hands
then
like
frankenstein
the monster
you have
created
will turn
on its
master
and in
god's own
country
unleash
a disaster
but
there's hope
that day will
never come
and in
november
truth
justice and
equality
will
overcome
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 74
i thought
i'd
invite
a guest
writer
today
someone
with verbal
talent
and rhetoric
who knows
all the
big words
it started
well
quite
a rhythm
to it
but in
retrospect
perhaps
a mistake
on my
part
thinking
all rap
matters
but judge
for yourself
𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵
if you
watch
fake news
cnn
or msdnc
you
would think
that the
killers
terrorists
arsonists
anarchists
thugs
hoodlums
looters
antifa
& others
would be
the
nicest
kindest most
wonderful
people
in the
whole
wide world
(𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥
𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵
𝘪 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 -
𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯)
no
they are
what
they are
very bad
for our
country
(𝘪𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯)
really sick
to watch
the fake
and totally
slanted
news(?)
it bears no
relationship
to the truth
or facts
sad
but we
will win
big
i’ve done
much more
for our
black
population
than any
president
in u.s. history
with the
possible
exception of
the late
great
abraham lincoln
so pathetic
to watch
the fake news
lamestream
media
playing down
the gravity
and depravity
(𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘮𝘦
𝘪 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘺
𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘰
𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘱
𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵
𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥
𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵)
of the
radical left
looters
and thugs
spied on
makes
watergate
look like
small potatoes
obamagate
new york
lost to the
looters
thugs
radical left
other forms of
lowlife & scum
(𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬)
where he
began to
repeat himself
for the
third time
i had
to pull
the plug
anyway
my fact
check
monitor
was on
ultimate
overheat
and it
would be
a shame
for the
grey
veil
to be
drawn over
a factual
rendering
of what
was posted on
and the man
held
a bible
in his
hand
how crass
is that
then
i mean
there have
been
great strides in
afro-american
education
since slavery
was banned
in most
of murica
that is
black slavery
they haven't
yet
got round
to the
brown
fruit-picking
peons
in the west
but they're
building
a wall to
put an
end to that
form of
exploitation
but the subject
was education
coupled with
an end to
hostility and
undermining
of the
credibility
of law
enforcement
officers
a strong term
for strong men
and strong action
from the age
of three
or as soon as
they can be
sent safely
a relative term
alone outdoors
black children
are taught to
raise both
their hands
in the air
whenever
they see a
police officer
actually
it's better
to orientate
on any
white man
in uniform
this results in
a 85.6 %
success rate in
avoiding
being shot
and being
mistaken for a
killer
terrorist
arsonist
anarchist
thug
hoodlum
looter
antifa
& others
such as
the infant
wing of
ms-13
it also
significantly
reduces police
paperwork
filings of
shooting
incidents and
saves on
ammunition
and complies with
matthew 19:14
(𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥)
suffer
little children
to come
to me
verse 14a
second
amendment
but only
if you can see
the whites
of their
terrified
rolling eyes
and little
pink
palms
it is
recommended
to use
plastic ties
instead of
cuffs
as the
physical
development
of some
suspects
can allow them
to slip out
of the latter
and we
don't want
to be
forced to
shoot
escaping
prisoners
so take that
abraham lincoln
we've come
a long
way since
your days
education is
freedom
but don't give
me any lip
son
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 75
what
is it
with
people
these days
attention
span
minimal
patience
exhausted
togetherness
gives way
to selfishness
solidarity
to
barbarity
respect
to neglect
can i allow
becomes
i want it now
benovolence
to indifference
equivalence
to ambivalence
lead by
example
on values
trample
i don't care
it's not fair
i want more
my life
matters
my facebook
chatters
likes
youtube
spikes
drugs
in clubs
crave for
a rave
for better
or worse
be the
centre of the
universe
ignoring
all the boring
facts
of life
kick over
the beggar's
tin
she's a loser
she can't win
set on fire
someone
homeless
that's
one more less
forget
the rules
they're just
for fools
and
corona
is just a joke
i'm young
and white
not old
and black
and even if
in a bar
or shopping
mall
i get up
close
enough
to catch a
dose
it's over
and done
in no time
at all
no risk
no fun
i'm not a
virologist
immunologist
nerd
i'm
an apologist
for herd
immunity
let's make
hay
the swedish
way
without
impunity
just call me
doctor dread
i'm off
to spread
with ease
just cough
and sneeze
until
i infect
the weak
and old
in our midst
with the
disease
i'm
just a
darwinist
survival is for
the fittest
and the rest
can take
their chance
they're only
good for
dare i mention
over-filling
doctor's
waiting rooms
and drawing
their
pension
blocking with
their
wrinkly skin
the
supermarket
queue i'm in
with always
the exact
change
in their
liver-spotted
hands
and even if
this selfish
section
of society
is a
minority
they insist
on priority
and the
silent
majority
is silent
in public places
because who
wants
a boot or
knuckleduster
in their faces
or
with no
ifs or buts
a knife
in the guts
and to whom
do we owe
these elements
of our society
it's those
who in all
piety
and powerful
position
and
unbridled
ambition
set the example
and know
that the way
to succeed
in life
is to use
your elbow
and show
no sympathy
for others
in your way
and so
we sow
the seeds
of a
fascist
racist
capitalist
mentality
for a
state
feeding on
egoism and
hate
and the
crops are
being
cultivated
nationalistic
flags
unfurled
all around us
east
and west
and the rest
of the world
and unless
we take
a stand now
there will be
no more
chance or time
for discussion
what we now
need
is
awareness
and action
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 76
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𝗢 ut on
𝗧 he
𝗘 mbattled
𝗦 treets
𝗧 hrough the
𝗥 ural
𝗔 reas
𝗖 ity centres to
𝗜 gnite concern in a
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𝗚 eorge Floyd's murder
𝗘 xemplifies the
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𝗥 acism and
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𝗘 verywhere be it
𝗙 lint
𝗟 ondon
𝗢 ttawa
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𝗜 t's
𝗖 lear beyond doubt that
𝗔 lmost all americans will tolerate
𝗡 o more
𝗧 eargas and rubber bullets
𝗕 rutality must never ride
𝗥 oughshod over
𝗘 quality and the
𝗔 merican constitution
𝗧 rump or no trump
𝗛 is term of office will
𝗘 xpectantly
𝗘 nd
𝗜 ngloriously in november
𝗚 iving
𝗛 ope
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𝗜 nnocence in a
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𝗨 nited in healing
𝗧 he divisions and
𝗘 vil gnawing at its very
𝗦 ubstance and existence
𝗕 lack
𝗟 ives
𝗔 re
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𝗟 ives already lost
𝗜 n seemingly endless and
𝗩 icious bloody
𝗘 ncounters within american
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𝗠 artin Luther King was
𝗔 ssassinated just one
𝗧 ragedy in the battle
𝗧 o achieve
𝗘 quality and justice
𝗥 emember his words - we shall overcome
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 77
i've
always been
a great fan
of the man
and
interested
in his
advice
how to
win
friends
and influence
people
without
necessarily
being
nice
anyway
carnegie
forename
dale
who
despite his
huge success
and coverage
in the press
surprisingly
enough
went to
neither
harvard
or yale
also wrote
how to stop
worrying
and start
living
without
currying
favour
with anyone
i am
facing
precisely
this dilemma
at present
because
some of
the friends
one has
or is trying
nicely
to win
mostly liberal
of mind -
i have no
time for
the other
kind -
are either
hostile or
impermeable
to any
reasonable
influence
or argument
a case in
point
that puts
many
noses out of
joint
arises
from the
current
unrest
that refuses
to abate
in the
north south
east or
west of the
united states
a protest
is
understandable
they say
but can't
those that
protest
give it a
rest
for a day
or so
as the
police
can't handle
the constant
looting and
hostility
and without
the
continual
attention
from the
media
the rioters
would lose
all
credibility
not to
mention
sympathy
pause and
reflect on
the plight
of the poor
dogs and
horses
they never asked to
get into this
fight
they're not
impervious
to flash bangs
or tear gas
and i ask
have you
seen
any of
these
poor animals
wearing
a mask
that's why
i say
all
lives
matter
besides
there are
good people
on both
sides
even the
blacks
can't expect
to be
handed
everything
on a
silver
platter
if any
of them
had been
alive
in
eighteen-
sixty-five
they would
realize
and
appreciate
all that
we have done
for them
since then
instead of
this
hate hate hate
there are
bad apples
in every
pistol barrel
and you
can't expect
things to
change
or get
better
overnight
so
from
there on
i realize
that
dale's
advice is a
a classic
fail
because
my fears
are not
allayed
no mistake
it's
been
fifty-six
thousand
five hundred
and
seventy-five
nights
give or take
a few
leap years
since slavery
was abolished
and still
you'd be
astonished
at the
de facto
segregation
and limitation
of human
rights
in some states
of the nation
so i can't
stop
worrying
and start
living
until there's
considerable
progress to
dispel my
misgiving
in the
meantime
i won't
desist
from trying
to influence
people
even when
they
resist
and continue
bucking
trends
even if
i lose
a few
so-called
friends
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 78
right
now
the
finger
is pointing
firmly at
america
alack
but four
fingers
always
point back
some of
the holier
than
thou
out there
looking in
need
reminding
how
slavery
and the
unjust
treatment
meted out
in significant
degree
to minorities
and other
elements
in particular
p o c
that
the real
and
continuous
pandemic
came
to the land
west of the
atlantic
on
european
slave ships
in chains
and in pain
to serve
colonial
masters
from england
portugal
france and
spain
some say
the first
came
in sixteen
nineteen
but by then
there had been
slaves
seasoned and
mentored
on plantations
in the
caribbean
for their
new masters
in virginia
and the
other
english
colonies
still
many more
in brazil
the difference
today
is that
slaves
are
no longer
bought
and sold
the bondage
takes new
forms
from
the old
with
poverty
lack of
education
and deprivation
of
universal
suffrage
through
manipulation
theoretically
there's
equality
and no lack
of opportunity
but practically
if you are
black
the chances of
getting it
right
are in fact
considerably
less than
if you are
black
and the
day-to-day
casual
discrimination
and indignities
suffered
are an iceberg
the tip
of which
is a
modern-day
simon legree
the whip
replaced by
tear gas
bullets
and ultimately
a white man's
knee
protest
must be
loud
to be
heard
and not
quiet
but then
it becomes
a riot
and is treated
as an
insurrection
with ominous
weapons
and
viscous dogs
hit squads
from houses
of correction
too long
this racial
and social
inequality
was the
elephant
in the room
now the
room
is the
elephant
and a president
triumphant
jubilant and
firmly
on the path
to a
second term
is reduced to
hunkering
in a bunker
or brazenly
scattering
his citizens
on the way
to pose as a
bible-thumper
without ever
having taken
a look
inside that
book
i'd love
to tackle
ongoing
global
slavery
intimidation
and
discrimination
but that
would
shatter
the scope
of my
current
oration
on
chronic
racism
and its
roots in
fascism
and i haven't
started on
capitalism
where some
freedom
grudgingly
remains
as the
song goes
i may be
a wage slave
on
monday
but i am
a free man
on
sunday
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 79
my
personal
quarantine
is coming
in part
at least
to the
end of the
line
on the
other
hand
it's just
a bishop's
move
diagonal
from
city to
land
there'll be no
significant
lessening
of social
distancing
no forgetting
that with
every form
of letting
the virus
under your
guard
the
consequences
can be hard
from
extreme
discomfort
to death
and i'm
not ready
for that
yet
but escape
from the
confines
of our
small berlin
flat
is worth
all that
a daily
view of
the flowing
river elbe
from the
terrace of
our
czech
abode
is a quantum
leap
from
watching
the progress
of the
building site
across the
road
and the
anticipated
long-awaited
but not
fully
appreciated
delights
of the
capital city
eating-out
theatre
and the rest
were soon
closed down
more's the
pity
and we won't
miss the
half-life
now on
offer
as it's
just a
shadow
of berlin
as we
know it
so from
tomorrow
not
without
sorrow
the
chronicles
in their
present form
will
no longer
be the
daily norm
nonetheless
it's been a
weighty
effort
to get to
number
eighty
i'm still
not sure
of the
coming
architecture
but
one way
or other
as soon as
i recover
from
the move
i'll be
back in the
groove
take out
my thumb
and continue
to write
my thoughts
down
as they
come
so I'll
re-don
the crown
to ensure
in the
tradition
of
primogeniture
that the
show
goes on
the thing is dead
long live the thing
The Corona Chronicles
quarantine routine 80
over
the past
eighty days
in a number
of posts
with differing
themes
and in a
number
of different
ways
i have
tried to
bind in
readers
to what
goes/went
on in
my mind
during a
period of
almost
complete
isolation
and
deprivation
of the normal
social
contacts
and associated
leisure
activities
such as the
pleasure
of eating out
but now
to take
stock
and review
the old
and the
new
corona is
still on the
rise
but
and that's no
surprise
in our
self-centred
personal plan
with our
ever-shorter
attention
span
and
failing
politicians
on both sides
of the
western ocean
we find it
difficult and
uncomfortable to
entertain a
notion
that a virus
won't just
go away
however often
we say
the crisis
is over
the warnings
by the
cassandras of
the medical
profession
have become an
oppression
and
engender
aggression
even when
the most
powerful
land in the
world is in
recession
so corona will
still
be very much
on my mind
when i leave
the chronicles
behind me
and seek a
new form of
expression
apart from
the virus
ever-present in
the background
my themes
over the past
eighty days
abound
in a variation
of current
and standard
situations
from
politics
to
isolation
of people
and nations
often in a
biblical
context
i always
found the book
cool
one of my
best subjects
subjects
at school
alas
the bad boys
in the
class
are america
and britain
they received
a good deal
of my
attention
and
a touch of
almost
serial
autobiographical
material
was inevitable
all short
on humour
i'm aware
but in part
our days
have been
dominated
by despair
as a result
dystopia
was never
far away
and I've often
been
expecting
the clocks
to start striking
thirteen
shakespeare
and alliteration
had their
entrances
and exits
as befits
an attempt
no more
than that
to don a
literary hat
those were
a few
words on the
passing
of the chronicles
now off to
pastures
new