Pestilence: some thoughts
SO, ANOTHER day mainly indoors begins Something one does not greet with a grin It’s the tedium that begins to mount
How long now I’ve really lost count
What’s made me pen this verse?
Can it be boredom? Could be worse
So, with nothing else left to do
With Bob Dylan in mind, here I go
Well I’ve exercised by going for walks Across seagull-patrolled marsh and
keeping distance
From anyone I meet and avoiding chat
Two metres and a nod, that’s that
Thing is, the end of March was quite sunny This could bring out some cheer
The warmth did make one perspire
Curses be, there’s no pubs, no beer
Cycled a few times across The Moss
Still allowed to at present, thank heaven One thing to notice is the absence of cars So at least there’s a few stars
A circular route via Crossens, Churchtown, Moss
Hares and rabbits in fields abound
Martin Mere then on to Mere Brow
One is met by a murder of crows
Can’t help thinking as I pedalled
About William Wordsworth and ten thousand daffodils,
If the bicycle was there in his time
Would it have affected his rhyme?
Within an hour I’m back
What for the rest of the day?
One can only read so much
And as for tele? Not all day! No way On Thursday evening at eight,
We all clapped by our garden gate
On the news later I saw a clapper whose party created the mess
With their cuts to funding of the NHS.
What did Nye Bevan call them?
Lower than vermin
The muse about to leave me
Chicken curry and a bottle of wine for tea.
Phil Marriott, via email
AS THE UK’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust is so lucky to have the support of all of our dog loving friends.
We want to say how thankful we are to each and every supporter all year round, but especially with the recent events and the uncertain circumstances we all find ourselves in.
Dogs Trust Merseyside has been inundated with offers to foster our dogs, to drop off donations and even offers of cakes and chocolates for our hard-working staff who continue to show up for the dogs who need them in these difficult times.
We appreciate these kind gestures and although for the moment we can’t accept them due to the need to limit social interactions, please be assured your support is very much at the forefront of our minds.
The staff at the centre will continue to care for the dogs, give them all the love, attention and training they need, while also making sure they’re working at a safe distance from each other.
It will certainly be quieter without visits from the dog-loving public, but we promise we’ll open our doors again as soon as we can and are looking into ways we can do this as a matter of urgency.
We are coping well at the moment, but know it is likely that there may be an increase in demand for our services in the coming weeks.
Although we are unsure how long our centre will be closed for, if anyone does want to support our work caring for dogs in the current crisis, please go to our website and help with a donation; it would make a big difference.
Georgina Lowery
Manager Dogs Trust Merseyside
BE SAFE ON THE ROAD