Three Poems by Angel

We are pleased to share this series of poems written by ‘Angel’, a single mother living in Swansea, Wales, UK. They explore her identity as a new refugee in the UK. Her poetry examines both the positives and negatives of lockdown, including her feelings of anxiety, fear and isolation. The series provides a deeply relatable depiction of the experience shared by so many during the pandemic, especially parents, and serves to remind us that regardless of where we were born, our experience as human beings is a shared one.

This content was gathered by Thanuja Hettiarachchi, one of the researchers on the Covid 19 Chronicles from the Margins project.

Poem 1

As I lay awake thoughts of Covid-19 came to mind. This was overwhelming as both negative and positive, advantages and disadvantages, came to mind.

Each person will experience this in their own way.

Often time children are left alone by parents who have to work tireless hours to make ends meet. And I know they wish mom and dad could just have a little more time to be with them, to have a chat or play a game or even to give a hug. Well at last the time has come where this can happen.

I know some parents are very frustrated at this time in history but my advice is: think about those promises that you might have made to the children but could not fulfil because of “Time!”. Well, guess what? “Time” is now finally on your side. So make full use of this rare opportunity because it may be just once in a “lifetime”!

“A little lockdown is not bad but too much is not good “

Think about it.

Poem 2

Are we prisoners in our homes? Sometimes it feels like it.
Feeling claustrophobic, anxious, even angry, and as if you can’t breathe.
Looking through the windows as if aliens were invading our planet earth.
The media is scaring you with headlines such as “UK has recorded its highest death rates ever”.

Driving more fear into the minds of mankind.

“Stay home! Save lives!” This is what those in authority enforce. But for some staying home is taking their lives. Taking their minds. Taking over their sanity. What is the difference between saving lives from Corona only to become homeless and die of hunger?

Are we going to allow COVID-19 to take away our way of living?

The time has come “Let’s Fight Back!”

I am a mother, a father, a wife, a friend, a teacher, a survivor, a glimpse of hope. I am ALIVE.

I am using this opportunity to teach my children about the importance of The Beauty of Life.

Let the kids know how much of a hero they are, because they are part of this historic event.
They too will have stories to tell their children and grandchildren in years to come.
It’s time for us to heal our nation. Closely knitting our hearts and the heart of many broken lives. Let’s knit these hearts together, creating a safer and better environment for our next generation.

I urge us all, at the end of this lockdown, to let it be a new beginning, like the dawn of a new and beautiful day. Embrace it and then of course (give thank) we have made it.

I was told many times “What you don’t see won’t hurt you”.
Well it’s a myth because even if I cannot see COVID-19, I can see it through the impacts and effects on lives around the world. And it Hurts.

Poem 3

See it differently, from another person’s point of view!

Anxiety, kids are attacking their parents and parents lashing out at children.
Society needs healing. Starting with our minds.
The mind is a battlefield where good and bad thoughts are constantly at war.

Hmmm, what do you do when you are trying to read and respond to emails and the kids are constantly coming to ask questions that seem not even relevant?
Or when you have to explain the same instructions to a home school assignment for the fifth time, only to find your child not even listening to what you are really saying? Doing all this, while also preparing a meal.

Try teaching your 4 year old to count to 20 when your baby is constantly crying!
O-M-G very frustrating isn’t it?

I can’t think straight half of my brain is missing HELP!!! LOL
This new normal is not working out. COVID-19 should neverrrr recurrr in our lifetime!

So breathe, inhale, exhale and focus!

Written by ‘Angel’

by Angel