Corona Diaries

Dominic

“Though I be locked down while the dark shadow of Coronavirus passes over our land, the Lord is my

Sovereign God only he can preserve my life, he has ordained the healing process, he has placed his love,

wisdom and care in us that we may serve each other.”

Background Information

Male, aged 55-64, Civil Servant, Wales, Married, Three adult children.

Ode to Covid19

We hoped you’d stay in China

But we were not to know Covid flew on airplane wings

So indoors we must go.

You closed down pubs and restaurants

And shops that weren’t online

Many now must work from home

On laptops, it suits them fine.

Schools are only open

To key worker children of NHS Parents police the home learning

Cancelled exams relieve the stress.

Our lives are now in lockdown Because we love our older folk

But we’re not allowed to visit them

The rules we can’t revoke.

We can only now exercise

For an hour every day

No gatherings of more than two

Are permitted in any way.

We’re told to keep two metres

Outside the supermarket store

In masks we’re socially distancing

Where soap and flour are no more.

Thursdays see us standing

Clanging pans at our front door

With neighbours applauding

NHS Fighting hard this viral war.

If they weren’t engaged in battle

To bring down Covid’s heat Boris would not be returning

To his post in Downing St.

In this unprecedented pandemic

Every country on its knees

For PPE gowns and equipment

To combat this disease.

With rainbows hung at windows

We send out prayers of hope

For God to protect the NHS

That they have means to cope.

But Covid respects no boundaries

Many tears the people have cried

For the loss of many thousands

Who have prematurely died.

March 2020

I have chosen this month to write poems about how the lockdown has impacted the church where I attend.

It has adapted by using Facebook and Zoom. Worship piano and guitar are streamed via Facebook and

prayer and sermon from another stream live. Zoom is used for communion where we can speak and see

each other take our own bread and wine then we are placed in small breakout rooms to chat - a bit like

refreshments after the service. There are lifegroup prayer support groups in the week on Zoom that cover

our home groups. The youth have their own Zoom taken for them. The only difficulty are the seniors in our

congregation who don’t have the confidence to use IT or have any Smart devices in their home. They are

impacted the most as are shielding. Our leaders call them by phone to check their needs and provide social

support where required.

I have also submitted a ‘Psalm in isolation’ that the church encouraged people to express their feelings in

isolation and lockdown. Some used the book of Psalms in the Bible to inspire them and write their own

expressions. I tried to write something that compares God’s characteristics using local places. A booklet

was compiled of contributions and posted on the church email and hard copies sent to our seniors. I am not

permitted to share their Psalms in this context though.

Finally, I have submitted what was a song originally that I wrote but the lyrics describe how the church has

risen to the challenge of adapting to the Covid restrictions and how we are trying to demonstrate our

devotion to God and to each other as a church community.

Many in our country have suffered the pain of not seeing their families, seen loved ones infected by the

virus, go to hospital to be cared for by courageous NHS key workers, lives have been lost prematurely

without opportunities to say goodbye or attend funerals. Many lonely in care homes also have been unable

to see relatives and also fallen victim to the virus.

It just strikes me that the church must be relevant, demonstrate the love of God, allow the world to see how

God’s tangible presence is real and can be experienced, but many have no belief and therefore no hope

that their lives mean something to a God who wants to reach them. Also that in their desperation how do

they cope? If they do not believe that their life was part of a divine purpose. Jesus Christ suffered and died

to experience it for us so he can relate to us as he defeated death and God raised him to life there lies the

hope. He is within reach.

This is not meant to be a sermon, just an explanation as to why I have written the below poems.

Best wishes keep safe, and God protect you.

Church Lockdown after 15 /03/2020

Mid-March church was endangered

With the arrival of hand gel,

It proved to be the final gathering

As the government’s guidance fell.

Our numbers were too many

To meet at this venue.

No scope for social distancing,

Would be the community’s view.

We should role model responsibility,

In our village, city or town,

And move to a virtual platform

To take this church into lockdown.

The Church has feared authorities,

Whether communist or Roman rule.

But somehow it grew stronger

Shining as a new cut jewel.

We have heard the government scientist,

But our enemy has no persona.

It’s legacy the ‘invisible killer’

The insurgent virus Corona.

In this worrying pandemic,

Embrace the twenty third Psalm,

Forbid fear ruling as God’s still walking,

His reputation: Let the storm be calm’.

In dark valleys and ‘even though’ scenarios,

Only He will guide us through.

There is life after Coronavirus,

If we say His word is true.

It was a novel experience,

With the church keyboard in our car.

To broadcast our living room worship,

To those listening from near and far.

Administering the sacraments,

Is turning out just fine.

The congregation on zoom’s gallery,

Bring your own bread and wine.

When society was running smoothly,

We had never heard of Zoom.

But we’re together tablet or laptop,

Which has become our new meeting room.

May 2020

14/05/2020

A Psalm of Isolation

As visible as Pen y Fan is beyond the town of Merthyr Tydfil.

Your twin peaks of mercy and love distinguish you as our great God.

As sure as there is coal still beneath the ground of the Rhondda valley, even though mining is no more, are

your promises of salvation and hope.

As constant as the flow of water from the Brecon mountain spring along the River Taff to the channel at

Cardiff Bay, is God’s presence and guidance along the whole journey of my life.

Though the London bound trains fail to arrive at the Central station, you will never forsake me or let me

down.

God’s love endures when the stones can no longer support the walls of Cardiff Castle. He will be my

fortress that no enemy may invade.

Though I be locked down while the dark shadow of Coronavirus passes over our land, the Lord is my

Sovereign God only he can preserve my life, he has ordained the healing process, he has placed his love,

wisdom and care in us that we may serve each other.

He is the reason we give thanks for our city’s NHS. No person dies without his knowing He can comfort

those who mourn the loss of family and friends. He only knows the answer to the question Why?

Even though my understanding is faint I will keep faith in my God

Though the Welsh Senedd doors be closed, I pray wisdom for our leaders that they may govern with

compassion and justice. God may the increase of your government and peace know no end.

I will enter his immeasurable heavenly stadium and join the unnumbered devoted supporters and shout

praise and adoration to the greatest team ever The Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

28/05/2020

Song of Zoom Fellowship

My heart was glad

With the invite to the zoom.

I love communion and the break out rooms.

To see your face

I’ve missed it all this week.

Your company

Is the blessing that I seek.

Throughout the separation

These long lockdown days.

I will do your shopping

If your temperature is raised.

I will pray for you when you are

Worried and low.

I will bring bakes to your doorstep

If you just let me know.

I long for the day when we are

Back together.

Back in our home church

Whatever is the weather.

When we are free from Covid

Worshipping as one

Our true great God

With faith we’ll overcome.

25/05/2020

Please see below next monthly poem. When you read it, you will realise it refers to my home situation

regarding restrictions on my identical twin sons referred to as D and M. One is 24/7 with us and the other

24/7 in a care residential setting.

Best wishes 

Dominic

Lockdown Twins with Autism. 

Boris announces his ‘Stay at Home’ decision.

Parents face a choice over supported living.

Does D isolate twelve weeks with his carer?

Or bring him back home which seems much fairer.

Not so his twin brother with limited voice.

In his residential setting M has no choice.

The site will lockdown parents cannot visit,

M can’t be home Saturdays otherwise it’s complicit.

Parents perplexed how M will manage,

M’s car is broken it can’t go to the garage.

It’s shared with another, M wasn’t to blame,

We ordered a new one registered in his name.

M is unable to go out for a drive,

Dealer waiting three months will this new car arrive? 

A Facetime video is beyond his remit,

A picture less call just M’s voice for a minute. 

Mid-April their birthdays compare and contrast,

The chasm of celebration is considerably vast. 

D has a home party he opens his presents,

M’s absence from home is particularly unpleasant. 

A carer calls to courier his gifts,

With guilt we let go so the ownership shifts. 

They have a surprise that will lighten M’s mood,

They send us photos of a great spread of food. 

So let’s include carers in Thursday’s applause,

Their health is at risk keeping autism indoors.

Their vulnerable group are uniquely wired,

Their strategies to cope are to be admired.