31st March 2020

The snowdrops
poked out their heads,
Crocuses of purple, gold, lilac and white joined them, Primroses of canary yellow and blood red primula grew strongly in between.

The virus spread.

The sorrel and rosemary
strived to be the tallest,
Lush grey-purple sage watched
the abundance of small new
oregano leaves open up,
Wild garlic blades grew quickly while the chives took their time
but released their pungent aroma.

The virus spread.

Daffodils and narcissus joyfully smiled towards the sun, Rosebuds appeared on flourishing bushes,
Lavender and hyacinth scented the clean, unpolluted air.

The virus spread.

Grasshoppers jumped through
the uncut grasses and
bees busily collected nectar
from the wild meadow flowers,
Beautiful butterflies performed air ballets with fragile iridescent dragonflies.

The virus spread.

Thrushes,
blackbirds,
blue tits and larks
flooded the skies with wonderful birdsong.

Nature was happy.

But the virus still spread.

Not all humans followed
the government’s advice.
Thought they were invulnerable. Thought nothing would happen to them.
It took one phone call...

‘Grandma is dead.’

They wised up at last because of a personal tragedy.
Listening hard to every bulletin. Following advice.
Doing the right thing.

Eventually the world changed.

The virus didn’t spread.