Dear LPG, 

I would like to highlight something that so many of us have taken for granted throughout so much of our lifetimes, although I think that the vast majority of us who have lived through the past three years will have come to have a new respect for this small action.  Having learned to live without the closeness of a simple hug for the sake of our lives during the past couple of years has helped to force us to unlearn one of the most natural acts of communication we have to offer and receive.

But we are all different and I have learnt to appreciate everything through the reading of those words and thoughts that poetry so often can inspire.  I also find that such words come to me, and I express them through my poetry.  I have always enjoyed writing it and sharing it and feel that each verse I write is a life-snapshot of any one given time.

I hope that the poem which I would like to share today will take some people back a couple of years as we continue to gain the confidence to be able to do so many things that a pandemic teaches us to avoid, but which are so natural and instinctive to all humankind.

Today is National Hug Day and, for the first time in four years, most of us will be able to give and receive a few without reservation again.  I hope that my words help to reflect what we have been missing…

COVID LOCKDOWN 2020

Only a smile but the handshake will come,
And after the handshake...
A great big hug for my Mum!
Only a smile with gaps in between,
As we endeavour to keep our hands clean.

Only a smile but oh how I miss,
The holding of hands, that hug and that kiss!
The time to embrace may seem far to us,
But let us have patience and don’t make a big fuss.
We’ve all been affected by COVID Nineteen,
We’re in this together... you know what I mean?

Only a smile but the handshake will come,
And after that handshake...
Hugs and kisses for Dad and Mum!

©2020 by Beverly Gooden Wilson
 

LPG finds a little information on one of those national celebrations that today offers us…

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