COVID-19

By GD

Never have I witnessed something so horrific
A pandemic! World crisis! Coronavirus!
It struck so suddenly, moved so rapidly
A catastrophe!

Death tolls are beyond anything imaginable
How did so many die before it was taken seriously?
Now we have “somewhat” prevention
Insistence on practicing social distance

But no vaccine, treatment, or cure
However, our Commander in Chief declared war?
In that case, this must be World War III
And still counting casualties

It has to be, something more we can do to calm us
Because this “pandemic” has caused pandemonium among us
Frantically panicking, our first preservation is self
So we are racing impatiently to clean out every shelf

Worried about bills, but don’t have a clean bill of health
And this virus is collecting on any past debts

Am I getting through yet?

Simple cause and effect, they neglect the cause of death
But focus more on the cost of the threat
Now we enter the realm of economics, politics at its best

But from a worldwide view, it just looks like a big mess
Now, how can we fix that?!
When the fear of going broke is greater than the fear of dying
When losing your job is greater than losing your life

In spite of the incompetence of our leaders
We will defeat this COVID-19

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22 Comments

  1. Ava D. on July 21, 2020 at 12:06 AM

    There is a lot of lines in this piece that resonate with you. Here are the ones that resonated with me and why:

    “How did so many die before it was taken seriously?”
    I like this one because I wholeheartedly agree. Being an employee of the medical industry, I watch so many people suffer and listened to people throwing fits about masks violating their freedom before we believed how horrible this disease was. It’s horrific. We are watching patients maxed out on vent settings dying alone because their families can’t come to visit, but it is an insult to your freedom to wear a mask, not for you, but for others? And to have our own leader deny any of this was happening until the death tolls took a worldwide lead to open our eyes.

    “Worried about bills, but don’t have a clean bill of health”
    I think this puts into perspective what our priorities are as human beings and American citizens.

    The last line that resonated with me was
    “When the fear of going broke is greater than the fear of dying
    When losing your job is greater than losing your life”
    I feel that’s a good point to remind everyone that their is much more to life than working and money.
    Even in times of crisis we still need to enjoy the good. And if this pandemic taught us anything maybe it can teach us how precious life really is.

    And I agree strongly with the last two lines: We WILL win!

  2. Abby on July 22, 2020 at 8:01 PM

    I appreciate the last line of this poem, because I also feel how you do – scared and confused and often times not very hopeful that we will ever overcome this pandemic. I appreciate that you ended your poem with the idea that we will defeat this – it is an inspiring outlook to maintain even after listing the horrible things that are happening because of the incompetence of our leadership and the gravity of this illness. You’re right, one day, we will defeat this. Thank you for reminding me. Stay safe and healthy, sending love.

  3. Billie Marcheva on August 2, 2020 at 11:05 PM

    Hi, GD,

    There is so much rhythm and flow in your poem. I love it. It pulls the reader through the lines so smoothly.

    I share your frustrations with the pandemic. I find myself wondering how the people in positions of power could possibly be justifying the decisions they’re making with how to proceed – decisions that make me question if they have people’s best intentions at heart. Just as you said it, though, “In spite of the incompetence of our leaders / We will defeat this COVID-19.”

    Thank you for sharing your poetry. You’re a wonderful writer.

  4. Tara C on September 1, 2020 at 8:05 PM

    Thank you for putting your insights on our current health pandemic into a poem. The rhyme throughout the stanzas created a really interesting flow to your writing. I really like the way you put your thoughts into this format. One line I found especially powerful was, “Am I getting through yet?” The way it’s separated from the rest of the lines creates emphasis on how the world is dealing with the pandemic. Great poem!

  5. Allie Ruggiero on September 15, 2020 at 11:45 AM

    GD, I loved your poem because I can relate to it so much. This pandemic is very scary and has caused so many people to fear for their lives. I can’t imagine what it is like for you. I live with my grandpa, so I am scared to even go outside because I am so worried about getting him sick. I think a lot of readers will be able to relate to your poem because they are scared and worried too. Sometimes I start to get hopeless because I am worried there won’t be a vaccine or it will take forever. I can feel all your emotions through your words. My favorite lines are, “Simple cause and effect, they neglect the cause of death; But focus more on the cost of the threat; Now we enter the realm of economics, politics at its best.” I loved this because politics come into play so much during this pandemic because of the election and they want to see who will handle it the best, but politics should not be a thing right now. People’s lives are on the line. I enjoyed this poem very much and I feel the struggle that you are going through.

  6. Kellyn on September 29, 2020 at 8:09 PM

    I really enjoyed the hopeful message at the end of this poem, and the use of rhythm is so strong that I could feel a beat in my mind as I read it!

  7. Joshua Redd on October 1, 2020 at 9:25 PM

    I love this piece. Thank you so much for sharing this, especially the ending the piece with optimism.

  8. kassidilenae on October 13, 2020 at 12:44 PM

    GD,

    Your writing is very insightful. It is a crazy time in our world; however, I feel like we have always been running around crazed and confused. When the world seems to crumble we have to hold on to our hope and to each other. Keep writing! We hear you.

    KC

  9. Kennedi › on October 15, 2020 at 11:41 PM

    This poem was really good! The rhythm was amazing and the hopefulness was inspiring! Keep it up and never quit!!

  10. Eva on October 20, 2020 at 8:09 PM

    GD, despite this poem being dated a few months ago, it still holds very true today. I hope that this pandemic will be over soon; so many problems have arisen that seem more important than staying safe and healthy and yet one’s life should be the most important of all. Thank you for your hopeful tone at the end; I truly believe we will overcome COVID-19 soon.

  11. N. B. on October 25, 2020 at 2:01 PM

    Thank you for sharing this poem that is a bout a very important and sad time in history. I was struck by the lines “Death tolls are beyond anything imaginable / How did so many die before it was taken seriously?” because that’s a very good summary of the failure in our country. You hit it again with “the incompetence of our leaders.” I also like how you touch on other aspects of the reality, specifically the economic implications and hardships. The last stanza is pointed but optimistic: “In spite of the incompetence of our leaders / We will defeat this COVID-19.”

  12. Gretch on November 11, 2020 at 3:14 PM

    GD,
    Many of your fluid and powerful lines resonate with me. The confusion and conflict I during during this pandemic is evident in my feelings when I read your piece. I often wonder these exact lines: “When the fear of going broke is greater than the fear of dying/ When losing your job is greater than losing your life.” There are people in the US that claim they value their and freedom to gather with others more than their life. But I know that if they themselves, or a close family member, were dying of COVID-19, they would think differently. Empathy and compassion will get us through this viurs. Thank you for the uplifting note at the end.

  13. Preeti on November 11, 2020 at 3:16 PM

    “When the fear of going broke is greater than the fear of dying
    When losing your job is greater than losing your life”

    This right here, this has been brought to light. How the US does not allow it’s citizens to take care of themselves, but instead just keep chasing the green. What happened to the compassion for other people? Fighting over toilet paper and cleaning supplies, there’s so little humanity left. Your work perfectly displays what we all have been feeling. Thank you, please keep up the great work.

  14. Christine Shelton on November 20, 2020 at 6:15 PM

    Thank you for sharing this poem! I can really relate to everything you wrote, and found it to be very moving. Thee times are crazy, and I like how despite all the negativity in our world, your words at the end of this poem were hopeful for better times.

  15. Grishma on November 21, 2020 at 4:25 PM

    This was an amazing read. Your rhyme scheme is very subtle yet extremely clever, as is the way you describe the pandemic. “Worried about bills, but don’t have a clean bill of health” This line struck a chord with me because I understand your frustration with lawmakers inability to handle this pandemic well.

  16. Catherine on December 1, 2020 at 12:12 AM

    GD,
    I am not sure anyone could have expressed the current state of the country better than you did in this poem. I share your frustration and am ready for a sense of normalcy. I continue to hope that an end will be near.

  17. Julia Rinaldi on April 11, 2021 at 8:37 PM

    GD,

    The way you explained the state that our country is in with this pandemic and all of the craziness could not have been said better! I am on the same page with how you stand emotionally affected from this whole thing, but I couldn’t;t even imagine being in your position on top of all that is going on in the world. Thank you for sharing with us, keep writing!

    Julia Rinaldi

  18. Rachel Salzstein on April 21, 2021 at 5:16 PM

    Wow. This poem is extremely well written and the message is so pertinent to our society right now. I share your anger and am so ready for our world to return to normal. It is up to us to stop this pandemic. Thank you for sharing!

  19. eddie on May 1, 2021 at 12:05 AM

    GD,
    Hi, I’m Edmon and I’m in a class that aims to engage with the community beyond the university and corporations. I really liked your poem and how it addresses this serious issue that has changed the world for the worse. I like how through you were in expressing how things are. I agree with you and can’t wait for things to be normal again. Good job and good luck!

  20. Reilly on May 5, 2021 at 11:05 AM

    Wow. You did a wonderful job recreating the chaos a lot of us have felt during COVID-19 through your words in this poem. I could feel the frantic energy and pleading that we take the pandemic more seriously, as we have already lost too many lives. You have written a beautiful and tragic poem, and I really hope you continue to write. Great job!

  21. Samantha on May 14, 2021 at 5:05 PM

    GD,

    This poem encapsulates so many of our frustrations with Covid-19 and the state of the world. Reading this poem in 2021, I still feel the frustration, disappointment, fear and sadness that you express here. This poem will serve as a relict of history; reminding us of what we went through, and yet, how we were still able to overcome so much.

    Best,

    Samantha

  22. Jackie on April 28, 2022 at 3:15 PM

    Hi GD,

    The first stanza was extremely powerful, moving, and struck my emotions. The exclamation points that you utilized were very insightful as to your emotions. Your poem has an astonishing rhythm and flow that helped me stay engaged. I love how you started negatively, stating facts and concerns that have been raised for all of us as an effect of this “catastrophe!” You introduced many emotions and frustrations that I never knew I had, until I analyzed your poem, connecting and being moved by your compelling words. Although your poem was written a few years ago, I was shocked by how relevant it is today, as if you predicted the near future. Your lines, “when the fear of going broke is greater than the fear of dying” and “worried about bills, but don’t have a clean bill of health,” reside with me, bringing sadness, anger, consciousness, and confusion. I agree with you, I have been more concerned about how I am going to pay or have the necessities to live, rather than first focusing on if I am going to be alive. I had a deep fondness for your last line, “we will defeat this COVID-19”. You end the poem with great optimism. I strongly agree and feel hope through your effectual positivity. Your poem was exceptionally touching and gave me confidence in our country’s chance to make a change, to overcome this “pandemic! world crisis! coronavirus” by working together!

    – Jackie, St. Paul Minnesota

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