Life in Poetry

Mar. 16, 2020

On the Joys of being Socially Distanced at home

Young boys run loudly wildly through the house
flying Lego’s newly found killer drone

Grandad in his shed fingers the mouse
of his computer sitting reflecting alone

Television starts up Halloween Two
bringing the scared boys closer to Dad

Mother sits surrounded by not a few
Lego strewing the carpet not getting mad

Gran has just left the house on a visit
to one recovered from surgery not bright

A baby sits in it all quite spirited
squawking and bouncing in pure delight

The walls look like they might close in
slowly at first then rapidly squeezing

seven occupants reducing them to thin
rakes complete with brains freezing

Dirty delph is mounting as are calls
texts and mails checking that we’re alright

A new order descending in these walls
hopefully in peace and without fight

Peter Clarke

Latest comments

25.11 | 22:15

Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.

07.11 | 11:14

Hi Peter,

A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there

Hugs,

John.x

06.11 | 16:24

A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.

06.11 | 15:59

Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.

In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.

Share this page

Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields

 

Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:

Posts and cones positioned to mark territories

 

Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots

clad and shod for the ensuing battles

 

Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,

then marked off into opposing teams

 

Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls

in further exercises to bring them to fit levels

 

There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,

responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm

 

Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,

to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs

 

Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play

the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit

 

For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line

till fitness returned and they were entered back into play

 

Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,

novices flagged and regrouped across the fields

 

Between bouts came the talks of encouragement

Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.

 

Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,

a gift of generous wisdom gladly given

 

Peter Clarke

20th April 2024