London Lockdown
By: Elena Moinescu
About The Poem
I was inspired by the strangeness of London at a standstill, when instead of running to work early in the morning, I experienced teaching from home for the first time. I wrote this poem for my class of Year 5 children. The stillness and silence of the city inspired me to try and capture the atmosphere.
The Poem
The never-stopping city sleeps –
finally
unexpectedly
unbelievably.
After a million rush hours
and traffic jams
and street parties throbbing with sound,
the silent streets sneak softly around quiet houses
as if in an eerie dream.
Stray, haggard- looking people drift in and out of sight
clutching their shopping bags
masked and weary,
eyeing you suspiciously.
Children look out wordlessly
from behind closed doors
and painted rainbows.
And the great city fills its lungs with spring warmth and clean air-
while its people struggle to breathe.
And beyond the silence, and the loneliness, and the fear-
the hope of resurrection is blossoming,
quietly
steadily,
unstoppably:
like love
like healing
like a heartbeat.
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