In Purdah

By luigi_pagano

Mon, 16 Mar 2020
  • 1650 reads
10 comments
 
For a month I'll be tied.
I am in, looking out,
and have no doubt
that I am safe inside.
 
"You may be contagious;
stay out of the way
if you are old and fray."
It is really outrageous
 
that a codger like me
being 85-year old
should have to be told
he's no longer free
 
to shop or to roam
the streets of the city
and drown in self-pity
as he must stay at home.
 
I have not been tested
but I'm as fit as a fiddle;
yet here is the riddle:
I could be arrested
 
If I don't wish to comply
to the authorities' diktat
and it is a sad fact
I have no right of reply.    

 

© Luigi Pagano 2020
Certificate U
Poem
Cherry ripe
Rant
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by airyfairy on

It seems to be closing life down all around us.  It is frustrating, but do stay safe.  

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Will do dear Jane. Actually I am not much of an outdoor person and it's not hardship for me to be indoor reading or writing. In fact I only wrote this to show what a grumpy old man I am. wink

Best wishes, Luigi x

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The '70+' suggestion seems to be more for their/our not catching from others, and is spoken of as far longer than a month. Surely thought does need to be given anyway to fresh air and excercise being necessary for physical and emotional/mental health, and could be combined with sensible separation?

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I do understand that it has been suggested for the benefit of 'oldies' like me, Rhiannon, but as they say sometimes the road to hell is paved with good intentions. This proposal doesn't look as if it has been thought out properly. Some of us are lucky enough to have a garden in which to exercise and enjoy fresh air but what of those who live in urban places with no recreation grounds or parks? As you suggest a reasonable degree of separation would be sensible. Also if we knew how this virus spreads we could take the appropriate care to avoid contagion but at the moment all we can do is to apply common sense.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by onemorething on

I'm sure you would get away with it if you wanted to because you only look 40 at a push. (Trying to repay your charm). Seriously though I think this is an interesting perspective to be expected to self isolate whilst in good health. I suspect it will be very difficult for lots of people and very lonely for some. It all feels very uncertain at the moment. But as Jane said, you must stay safe and I hope you at least enjoy all the reading and writing you can do more of for the time being. Rachel x

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Flattery will get you everywhere, dear Rachel. At a stroke you have become my favourite person. wink
Obviously if I were suffering the effect of the virus I wouldn't dream of objecting to such a measure but to do so based on old age with no evidence of ill health or without being tested it doesn't make sense to me. I know people much younger than me with ailments that would make them vulnerable. 
I don't exactly know what intentions the powers that be have but personally I use my own judgment and common sense not to jeopardise anybody's health.

Very best wishes from somebody who couldn't fool anybody by pretending to be 40.
Luigi x

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Luigi I hope you will use this time to write another series - as well as some more poetry. You can keep all our spirits up!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I shall try my best, Claudine.

Warm regards, Luigi x

 

Submitted by forest_for_ever on

I have just been isolated by my doctor because my asthma is not responding as well as it should.  So now I'm having to take steroids as well.   I may only be 64 Luigi, but I reckon I could give you a run for your money as a grumpy old man smiley

It could have been me talking in the poem.  It wins my personal 'repeat' award, which means I will definitely be reading it again!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Graham, despite your young age I invest you with the honorary title of fellow grump. cool
By all means read it again if it pleases you - it will add to the hts count - but not if you find the message too depressing.
I hope that your health improves soon. Take care.

Luigi