DIARY OF A VIRUS. Gregory J. McKenzie

of positive tests,

      Minor bouts but so few laid to rest.

      No country wants the gold for the most,

      All searching desperately for the host.

      Time waiting for the numbers to fall,

      Glum forecasts abound in counting hall.

      Model curve high peaked then flattened,

      Nation's hatches down are battened.

      Death stalks as sadness reigns,

      Front line fighting for marginal gains.

      9th. DECEIT

      Foreign media brag their country better,

      Deaths down by law of the letter.

      Boasts based on absurd fiction,

      Belittling open honest diction.

      Claims that only foreign deaths occur,

      Own health system so pure.

      But many die every day,

      Carers suffer from theft of their pay.

      Absolute repression breeds only fear,

      Not any sort of life with many a tear.

      Government not showing steady hand,

      Caught without any clever plan.

      Amorally altering the health facts,

      Hiding many terribly shameful acts.

      14th. LOVE AWAY

      Sharing both house and name,

      Romance still never the same.

      Beautiful dreams of wedded bliss,

      Not to be found in bed or kiss.

      Months of lock down shutout,

      Name of lover loud I shout.

      Frustration and longing in the air,

      Many missed moments to share.

      Chats, games and photos pall,

      Never making up for missing the ball.

      Loss of focus for married life,

      Tender moments lost are rife.

      Never sure you will still have a next year,

      Swallow your pride to hear voice so dear.