“In the rough and tumble of the world, when things happen it’s often hard to notice. But, when nothing happens, quickly or slowly, everyone pays attention.”

This is a Lockdown picture – “Daphne was unaware Roger had been self-isolating for years” – it’s one of a few.

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I saw a storm brewing but not the plague.

At the time I hobbled on crutches. A limb replaced.

They said a week or two, but for a year there was a knot in my stomach.

The streets – Birdsong and rustling grasses. An alien soundtrack. Drained of traffic.

A deer grazed at the crossroads, waiting for the lights.

People – distant, potential killers. Looked without seeing. Heard without listening.

Aching to touch. Nil by mouth.

Children, each a restless contagion, adrift in endless time.

Everything known was unlearned, re-learned differently.

Hope became the tormentor.

Except on Thursdays when we clamoured for heroes.

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Picture: “Daphne was unaware Roger had been self-isolating for years” – By Rod McRiven for the Trev Turley collection. Fine Art prints are available. The frame shown is for illustration.
Gallery: Royal West of England Academy

© Rod McRiven 2020