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