The coronavirus pandemic and resulting weeks of lockdown have inspired a number of poets in the county to put pen to paper (or possibly open their laptops).

A number of writers, of all ages, have been in touch after using verse in a bid to reflect their experiences and make sense of our current situation.

Below are some of the poems we have been sent by our readers.

Dialysis patient Marlene Lewis, 64, has written a poem to thank the teams who are continuing to care for her during the pandemic.

Marlene, from Ashford, needs treatment three times a week and wanted to pay tribute to staff at the William Harvey Hospital, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and Maidstone Kidney Care Centre as well as Lewisham and Guys, where she was previously treated.

Thank you for the doctors and nurses who dedicate their lives,

Knowing they have at home children, husbands and wives.

Also for the transport people working morning, noon and night,

Even when we moan and groan they don't fuss or fight.

To them we are total strangers but yet they all still care for us,

Yet still they keep their patience they don't make a fuss.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you very much,

For going above and beyond with your wonderful loving touch.

You are all special people and I am grateful every day,

You keep me alive, to say thank you this is my way.

You give us patients unconditional love,

May God bless you all from heaven above.

Thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you once again,

Thank you for all you do to take away our pain.

You’re on my own personal pedestal,

And in my mind I think you all deserve a medal.

To Guys, Lewisham, Kent & Canterbury, William Harvey and Maidstone hospitals,

I've had the same VIP treatment from them all.

So thank you, I, Marlene Lewis, specially appreciate you,

Please know I am eternally grateful in all that you do.

by Marlene Lewis

Ashford

The Other Side

People walk the streets alone, their only contact made by phone,

Roads are quiet, the air is still, a situation so surreal.

A world that’s fallen to its knees, full of fear, doubt, uncertainty,

Love ones you can’t hug or kiss, so many friends that you will miss.

Wondering how you will get through, what the road ahead holds for you.

Still blossoms blooming everywhere, birds still sing without a care,

Daffodils dancing in the breeze, new buds forming on the trees.

A sky so blue, not a cloud in sight, the suns warming rays that bring us light.

For those of you who are feeling down, there is still beauty all around,

Take yourself to a happy place, stay at home and keep you safe.

One day you’ll be able to tell this tale, so follow rules and keep you well.

Sit back now, ride out the ride, And I’ll see you on the other side.

by Nicola Parkhouse

Maidstone

The Enemy at the Gate

The enemy at the gate, consuming the nation,

A silent slaying assassin leaving a path of destruction,

Gaining power for the crown.

The enemy at the gate, making people stay at home,

Supporting the soldiers in their fight to save lives,

Whilst wearing armour to keep them safe.

The enemy at the gate, testing our castle’s defence,

Our glorious green sanctuary, safe from the crown,

It begins to bloom as summer unfolds.

The enemy at the gate, I almost forget it’s there,

As I see the grass moving like hair in the wind,

Softly swaying and swishing.

The enemy at the gate, it can not harm me here,

I hear a choir of birds chirping, but at the Howletts fortress,

The monkey army sound their battle cry.

The enemy at the gate, will not breach these castle walls,

As I lay in the sun, I feel the cool breath of the wind,

Refreshing my boiling hot skin.

The enemy at the gate, part of the dark side,

I smell the ripeness of the bright green crops,

Slowly extending to edible form.

The enemy at the gate, will not win this battle.

by Logan Akers, aged 8

Adisham

An Angel's Voice for Humankind

Don’t despair for I am there

From every corner of your room

From distant sun to distant moon

When times of trouble come too soon

I am there

And in every cavern deep

In dreams when little children sleep

And all the secrets that you keep

I am there

And whenever you feel alone

Or feel that you can’t turn home

Thinking that you’re on your own

I am there

From covered mountains that touch the sky

To places where only eagles fly

To every question where you ask why?

I am there

And when you’re sick and cannot stand

I am there to hold your hand

From loving humanity to every grain of sand

I am there

In all your thoughts and deeds

I who am blind to all colours and creeds

From lands great to the smallest seeds

I am there

And I don’t mean to trivialize

And look upon you with selfish eyes

Or come to you in some hidden guise

When saying I am there

And though stories mention me

And I am beyond what mortal man can see

And though you believe with difficulty

I am there

And in this world of material labels

Where I am spoken of only in fables

To believe in love is to believe in Angels

So don’t despair for love is always there

by David Papa-Adams

Herne Bay

This virus bird is a curious cove

He has no body or eyes

He makes no sound, puts on no show

But my goodness how far he flies!

He’s rather like McCavity, the mystery cat

Like God, he’s never there.

But two weeks later, with no warning at all,

You can’t get him out of your hair!

by Nicholas Reed

Canterbury

A total stranger has come knocking on our door,

A terrible virus worse than war.

How could we deal with this terrible mess,

We had to rely on the NHS.

These wonderful people who do it for free,

Who risk their lives for you and me.

This terrible virus has took its toll,

But we venture on with heart and soul.

So British people family and friends,

Pray to god this quickly ends.

It may be we have to wait,

So let’s all clap when the clock strikes eight.

by David Cook

Gravesend

A Wake Up Call – 2020

A wake up call is knocking,

On each and every door,

Throughout the world, in every land,

As people want for more.

This wake up call has stopped us,

And gives us time to think,

Of why our planet struggles,

And is almost on the brink.

Of horror and disaster,

In every avenue,

Pollution, greenhouse gases,

Consumerism too!

Corona comes to warn us,

For each and everyone,

In their small, and naïve way,

Have helped, what has been done.

How can we end this madness,

To turn the tide and change,

Well, every individual,

Can help, for there’s a range.

Of many undertakings,

From little through to vast,

And if we work together,

Success will come quite fast.

To begin, we should be caring,

For others as ourselves,

The face masks are examples,

Not to take them off the shelves.

But make our own and wear them,

To keep each other well,

When the outlooks other,

We begin to break the spell.

We want such varied, diverse things,

In fashion, food and fun,

To such extent that our dear world,

Is fully overrun.

The waste that’s piled far too high,

Is drowning out the good,

That once our lovely planet,

In pride and beauty stood.

Let’s reduce the car trips,

The clothes we want to buy,

The many holidays abroad,

Requiring us to fly.

Addictive gadgets also,

Are a want and not a need,

Tons and tons of waste,

Kills everything indeed.

Eventually this suffering,

Will slowly ebb away,

We will get back to normal,

Without greed here to stay.

The tens of thousands dying now,

Show them, it’s not in vain,

Their legacy of sacrifice,

Revives the world again

by Robyn Harris

Chatham

I’ve stayed safe for six long weeks indoors

And every Thursday I give applause

To the wonderful key workers who put their lives on the line

By helping the country in so many ways that I can’t define.

Some days are filled with many things to do,

Full of hope and positivity that we’ll pull through.

Others are sad and the mood is low,

Quite when this will end no one can possibly know.

Social media has played such a large part

Of keeping in contact right from the start.

However, as days turn into weeks and more,

The isolation videos are becoming a bore.

How many times can you laugh at a post?

Or watch someone else’s evening where they’ve been a host?

Facebook photos of walks and fun

I understand need to be done.

I also know how fake they can be

A smile for the camera, then back to reality.

Every one of us deals with it in a different way,

And whatever helps you is admirable and okay,

But nothing will beat a simple message or ‘hi’!

To help the endless hours go by.

And so to finish I’ll leave you with this -

Be happy, stay safe and seal it with a kiss

by Toni Moss

Strood

While I sit in comfort and more

You my saviours care no more

Risking your lives protecting me and more

May you be blessed for your kindness ever more

While I sit in comfort and more

Nurses drivers cleaners and more

Risk your lives protecting me and more

You my saviours be blessed ever more

While I sit in comfort and more

Doctors medics dustmen and more

You my saviours care no more

Risking your lives protecting me and more

While I sit in comfort and more

Teachers helpers soldiers and more

Carry the burden for me and more

May you be blessed for your kindness ever more

While I sit sit in comfort and more

Farmers grocers bakers and more

Providing the needs of all and more

Carry the country for me and more

While I sit in comfort and more

When the country cries for help and more

Depth of devotion all of you pour

Will not be forgotten for decades and more

by Tudor De Silva

Maidstone

What is happening to our nation (and most other nations)?

(Mid March)

Government provides explanation

Why elders of our population

Have to adopt self-isolation

To prevent Covid 19 contamination.

Causing them some consternation

And a certain expectation

Of developing desperation

From too much continuation.

We follow the recommendation

Will have plenty of time for relaxation

And also great determination

To find some form of recreation

Suitably fitting our situation.

(23rd March)

Now a new and harsh advocation

Not quite intimidation

Though perhaps mortification

To all, for virtual hibernation,

Remaining each day in own habitation

Except for a few who have special occupation.

There would be a two metre separation

For people in any congregation

Especially if queuing at a food station.

Some concerned about starvation

We did get some consolation

Featured in the legislation -

Allowed a daily perambulation

Though without any obligation.

Before the long-awaited finalisation

Everyone receives notification

And full clarification,

(for some – elucidation!)

Of the temporary eradication

Of the dreadful malefication.

Time then for celebration

Plus some recuperation

In every conurbation

And all other habitation

The length and breadth of our nation.

Not too much procrastination

our workers have an obligation

to get back to their station

perhaps with some trepidation.

(Later)

Forgive me my muted elation

This is now 2021 - such prolongation.

by Roger Norman

St Mary's Bay

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