The Bat Who Stole Easter
About this Poem
This poem was written on Easter Sunday (12th April 2020). We were in the middle (start as it turned out) of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and everyone was in lockdown. We weren't going to be able to see our families. I wrote this both as a way of marking the occasion and committing things to memory and also as a way to generate a little positive feeling in what felt like a very negative world. It was obviously inspired by Dr. Seuss's excellent Grinch who stole Christmas.
The Bat who Stole Easter
The Earthlings in Earth-town liked Easter a lot.
Ok that's not true, Christians did, others did not.
Those that didn't liked Ramadan instead
and some liked Passover and unleavened bread
But one thing was common for every single one.
Technology trumped family, they liked to have fun.
But one day in Wuhan, someone ate a bat.
At least we think so, could be a dog or a cat.
They covered it up, the Chinese government did.
Like before with the bird and the swine flu gig
Whatever it was, it made people real sick
And it spread like wildfire through touching and spit
It went on a holiday, yes, the bat took a cruise.
And then finally it all hit the news.
Meanwhile in China, it made such a din
They sent people home and welded them in.
And it got on the planes and traveled around.
Till finally there was nowhere safe on the ground.
So the government stepped in and said "all keep apart"
One and a half metres, the width of a fart.
So they sent the kids home and closed all the schools
And shops, gyms, parks and even swimming pools.
So some young ones took themselves off to the beach
Further they thought, then the law could reach.
But the law had long arms and the fines were a killer.
And then COVID nineteen hit Europe like Atilla.
So finally we learned to say well at home
And talk to our friends over the phone.
Or zoom, till it got hacked, or skype, hangouts or teams
There's plenty of options for techies it seems.
So on Easter morning when the rabbit did come.
We all stayed home and made our own fun.
Relatives and friends we spent time online with each.
with distance no longer constraining our reach.
And the time that we spent was not such a chore.
Our isolation had made us want to connect more.
That bat that stole Easter, it forced us apart
But being alone showed the holes in our heart.
And when this is all over, as it soon will be.
We'll appreciate each other more, don't worry, you'll see.
In the meantime, sit tight and take care of yourself.
But if you feel scared, please cry out for help.
- Gavin Bollard (Easter 2020)