Dear LPG,

A year and a half ago, I think we all knew that life was going to be a little different to what we were used to, but no one had any idea of what was about to hit us and the full impact of the situation has taken all this time to really get anywhere near being seen for what it really was, is and will be.  Recently, nearly every life in the world has been impacted in one way or the other.  I have no doubt that readers all over the place are breathing out, reading comments like mine and saying to themselves, ‘this has to be the end of Covid-19s hold over us’. 

So, even though you can tell I have a lot to learn about poetry and, as we all try our very best to kiss the whole episode goodbye, I thought a poem might be in order and with a view to getting a smile, I have picked on one of the lighter aspects of the whole affair to focus on…

 Now the law says you don’t have to….

Do you still grab your mask when you’re ready to go out and you get to your front door?

Even though the government now says that you don’t have to anymore 

I get my keys and cards and coat and hat and mask, I just can’t help it, I do it without thinking

even though you can officially show your face again, no shame or no shrinking

‘cos the thing is covering your chin, and not your mouth, nose, breath and expression

And you are no longer getting disapproving looks ‘cos you forgot to see it as a covid weapon

I am talking about those masks; that have annoyed us now for some eighteen months or more 

We have finally been told that we can take them off, but the public aren’t so sure

When we were finally allowed to go out again it took ages to remember this questionable pandemic tool

and that is all good I suppose but, now you don’t have to, I keep forgetting the ‘goodbye mask’ rule
 

I still feel happier with mine firmly stuck in place upon my face

Even though the official ‘lifted’ ban is past it’s sell by date

and quite a few were still floating around when I went shopping today

so I can’t be the only person who is thinking in this way

Just as many people are sporting them as not if you ask me

We’ve spent all that money on packs of ten and visors don’t you see

for some they have definitely become a statement of fashion

the quirky, pretty, designer ones have become a fashion passion

Perhaps they will remain a while, though we have most been jabbed

but ultimately then will get stored in the attic, until one day they are grabbed

in twenty years’ time by a ten-year-old, who will ask what was it for

and we will tell of the relationship between 2020, masks and your front door.

I think that in memory of this world-pandemic we should have a national mask wearing day.  We have spent so much money on them that they should at least get one outing a year?  

DR Downham.