Saving the world by doing nothing

We started off so fearful ‘Bout how we thought we’d cope; The mask and the rainbow Both soon became a trope. We missed our weekly sessions Of gym, then cappuccinos. We didn’t quite appreciate How valuable the vinos. But when we saw the figures Of those dying from this curse; We started seeing with different eyes The wonder of each nurse, Each doctor, every carer, Every worker on the case. It made us feel so humble And put us in our place. Our task has been to stay at home To help the NHS And those who have been stricken By this cruel wickedness. Our heart goes out to many Who fear their loss of jobs; Our heartfelt thanks for what we have Must sound above the sobs. For those of us who can relax We show our gratitude

By humbly filling days indoors And change of attitude. There’s so much we can do ourselves; New skills to learn online. Ways to keep abreast of news And fill our precious time. With Zoom and Skype and plenty more We pick a time to suit. The lovely thing is then you can Just simply press the ‘mute’. But wait... the panic starts to rise The thought we’ll soon be out; I haven’t done half the stuff I told my friends about... The book I’d said I’d written, The pounds I said I’d shed; That fluency in Russian Was all just in my head. Those books I bought on Amazon Still sit there on the floor. The clothes I said I’d sorted Are still stuffed in the drawer. I daren’t admit the wine That did evaporate Nor Easter eggs I bought the kids That soon went out of date. Is that really all I’ve done While holed up in my house? Get plastered and eat chocolate And argue with my spouse? But hey . . . I can’t be all that bad For not being on the ball ‘Cos what I’ve done is ‘save the world’ By doing just sod all.

VICKY PEIRSON, Richmond, Surrey.