The New Normal
Today is the end of my struggle with an assignment for my Masters at MMU. It’s done and submitted early. More like abandoned into the wilderness of Turnitin. So time on my hands and that feels a bit strange. Of course, I have a list of things to do in this semi-new normal milieu, but I couldn’t resist posting the photo on here which may characterise this new situation for others. Cruel but fun. I wrote this piece a few weeks ago and feel that it is apt to put it up now. So enjoy as always.
A Domestic in a Time of Disaster
The Blue-ray remote has gone missing;
chaos has broken out in the aftermath;
a six and a four-year-old court-martialled
for endangering the lives of the household,
in this time of crisis and confinement.
Emergency services have been deployed;
boxes of Lego upended, cushions scattered.
The dog cowers in the corner terrorised;
no topic allowed to be voiced that offsets
the focus on this catastrophic slip.
Thousands of discs lie helpless on shelves,
useless and worthless without this magic key.
Stormtroopers revisit and repeat the search
among the rubble of toys and games and puzzles.
Those who can retreat, hide in isolation.
Peter Clarke
May 2020
David McDonough
13.05.2020 09:30
Absolutely brilliant
Margaret Dromey
11.05.2020 16:45
A lovely piece Peter. I can feel the pain! Well done on submitting the project.
Triona Mc Morrow
11.05.2020 16:03
Great photo and poem! There is a great frantic, searching pace to that poem!
Catherine D
11.05.2020 14:01
Ha! Brilliant Peter. I think that many households can relate to this. For us it is the Netflix remote.
Joanne
11.05.2020 13:10
I tend to find in that area of the world (i.e. chez Mum) that remotes find a spot in the freezer, if it helps! 🤣
Latest comments
25.11 | 22:15
Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.
07.11 | 11:14
Hi Peter,
A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there
Hugs,
John.x
06.11 | 16:24
A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.
06.11 | 15:59
Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.
In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.
Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields
Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:
Posts and cones positioned to mark territories
Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots
clad and shod for the ensuing battles
Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,
then marked off into opposing teams
Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls
in further exercises to bring them to fit levels
There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,
responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm
Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,
to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs
Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play
the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit
For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line
till fitness returned and they were entered back into play
Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,
novices flagged and regrouped across the fields
Between bouts came the talks of encouragement
Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.
Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,
a gift of generous wisdom gladly given
Peter Clarke
20th April 2024