Keep your distance!

When the government announced we could no longer sit with, hug, shake hands or socialise with people outside of our 'bubble', I was at first dismayed and a bit devastated. I had made going for coffee, meeting up with friends, and helping out at church a regular part of my week.

However, as lock-down restrictions have eased, and we can be more socially mobile again, I have come to realise that my supressed anti-social persona has been delighted with the new situation, and she doesn't want to go back to the days of crowds and proximity. In fact, the thought of leaving my house for a few hours to go shopping, to meet someone or even go for a dog walk has me exhausted before I even step outside!

I'm not saying bring back lockdown, but I am saying, 'let's just keep our distance from each other for another while, please'.

I wrote a poem to explain what I mean:

*************************************

Two metres apart? Fine by me!

In fact, I'll take an extra inch, you'll see

It's for the best, the space feels good.

I don't want to inhale your breath, understood?

~

Hugs? Not allowed? That's good as well.

I really don't want my hair to smell

Like your perfume, or body spray.

Six feet apart? More of that, I say.

~

A germophobe? No, not really.

I can cope with dog hair, dust, but let me

Tell you, people standing close or near

Sends shivers, panic leads to fear.

~

Before the 'situation' came,

I'd cope, I had to play the game

Of hugging, sitting close to those

Who'd cough, fidget, blow their nose.

~

I'd endure hugs and gravely stare

At make-up or powder in my hair.

I'd hold my breath when folks walked past

Until the 'smell' of them would waft

~

Away from me to someone else.

Sometimes I'd find my sensitive self

Unable to cope with proximity of

Other humans. Please, just clear off! (Sorry)

~

I like my space, it might sound rude,

But it's not their fault, I'd like to prove

I'm just a weirdo, a freak, if you like,

Closeness to strangers makes my pulse spike.

~

So, let the two metre rule stay a while longer.

Just until I get a bit stronger.

Keep your distance, wear your mask,

And let those hugs remain in the past.

~

Thanks for reading!