The new World War

I grew up during World War Two
Back then times were pretty tough
There weren’t too many luxuries
But we always had enough.

What we didn’t have we didn’t miss
Yet we all survived somehow
We did a lot of things back then
That kids aren’t allowed to now.

We played Cowboys and Indians
We played cricket in the street
Joining in a game of marbles
With the other kids we’d meet.

We’d go out riding pushbikes
When no helmets were in sight
‘tho we had a lot of busters
In the end we were alright.

These days we’re back at war again
But a different kind of war
We’re fighting Covid 19
That has snuck onto our shore.

In the last war we had freedom
To commiserate with friends
But this time we must isolate
In the hope this virus ends.

All the children have computers
And they have their mobile phone
Whereas back in the last World War
Such things were an unknown.

Our freedom has been curtailed now
As this enemy we fight
Isolation is the answer
So we must stay out of sight.

The young can play computer games
Using Zoom to keep in touch
But when it comes to older folk
This technology’s too much.

There’ll be knitting for the ladies
And the garden shed for men
Perhaps they’ll even find the time
To read a book now and then.

I’m sure we’ll all survive this war
As we did the other one
But being kept inside our homes
Will be anything but fun.

Man wasn’t meant to live alone
To live in isolation
This law on social distancing
Is leading to frustration.

But we’ll soon be back together
As God meant that we should be
If we keep the law and soldier on
Ours will be the victory.

Max Pringle OAM, April 2020