Eight Long Weeks

Why the Tears?
Was it the disrupted sleep
Hormones gone haywire again
Or simply the strain of lockdown
And the relief of it ending
After eight long weeks

Why the Tears?
Is it a lack of sunlight
Do we need a dose of Vitamin D
Or a dose of lighthearted fun and laughter
After all this seriousness
Eight long weeks

Why the Tears?
When we’ve “knocked the bastard off”
We stayed home and saved lives
We juggled work and home school, partners and pets
And here we are, already in level two
Only eight long weeks

Why the Tears?
When we’ve succeeded
We’ve adapted and survived
Our businesses will revive
Grandparents are still alive
After eight long weeks

Why the Tears?
When the universe is smiling
It’s had a chance to breathe
A much-needed reprieve
Our waterways are pleased
Loving eight long weeks

Why the Tears?
Is it the fear
That it’s still lurking out there
A great black plague hiding in plain sight
On doorknobs and pinpads, waiting to strike
Still there after eight long weeks

The tears? Why?
It’s the sadness deep within of those worse off than I
That lack in food or shoes or smiles
The teens whose dreams are fried
Those whose livelihoods have died
Within eight long weeks

For some
The world
Has changed forever

C Langenhoven ©

Lockdown, 14 May 2020