Death Bell

The government says our schools will be safe 

Yet many a mistake they’ve made in haste 

Like the fiasco of exam results

Should we, to them, our children’s lives entrust?

Doctors are saying the guidance is wrong

Kids aren’t immune and they will pass it along

To the vulnerable, parents... teachers too

It makes sense to learn more, not act too soon

Our families are, our most precious gift

We only want to choose, without conflict  

Instead, we’re threatened with penalties... fines

Too late to repent when people have died 

It’s now proven COVID lingers in air 

That to safeguard ourselves, masks we should wear

That children will be infection drivers 

Implications of this... are not minor 

I know our economy’s suffered... but

Potential consequences make me shudder

Haven’t we already lost too many?

How many more loved ones must we bury? 

Aren’t you, our government, there to protect?

Your strategies so far have been inept 

Lack of PPE, dire Track and Trace 

Our country’s death toll... a shocking disgrace 

Please heed our cries, the vulnerable protect 

Don’t lead our teachers to an early death

Don’t make any more kids become orphans 

Allow parents their offspring to stay home 

Yes... children’s mental health we must protect 

But will it be, if their parents are dead?

Let’s learn from the tragedy in care homes 

Allow kids to thrive in COVID free homes  

So please let us now avert tragedy 

Let your names go down in our history 

As wise leaders, who saved us... were heroes

Don’t leave for all time this death bell to toll

©  Debbie Razey 2020 - Violet Moon Poetry.

     Both Poem and Photograph

CHAPBOOK Never Alone

Up in thermals I’ll always be 

With outstretched wings over sea sheen

In sunset hours of dusky tones

It’s there you’ll find I’ve made my home 

Fields aglisten in morning’s dew

Dawn’s still hours of gossamer hues 

Coins you’ll find when there’s been too few

In warmed hands curled around your brew

You’ll feel my light upon your face 

In twilight’s throng, my lost embrace 

In veil of night, laid at your side

Never alone we’re moon and tide   

Although no longer I’m alive 

Hear my echoes in all that’s life 

In crashing waves, a newborn’s cry

A crackling fire, in sweet rest’s... sigh 

In silk-spun notes, a rhythm’s beat

In autumn leaves under your feet 

When raindrops stick to windowpanes 

And all your efforts seem in vain 

For I’ll be there to will you on 

Breath, it ceased but my love lives on 

You’ll feel at times my hand in yours 

Kissing your wounds, healing your sores

I'll watch o’er you from stars above 

In slumber’s arms, you’ll feel my love

Remember... however long the years 

I’m in our children’s smiles and tears 

©  Debbie Razey 2020 - Violet Moon Poetry.