UNLOCKDOWN

UNLOCKDOWN

Yesterday, Gil unlocked his car and found that he had

Three parking tickets. He’s parked the car in the same

Place close to his house now for months. Astonished,

Outraged, he roused Peckham Council, only to be told

Fines descended after Lockdown’s lift. Gil was stumped.

Before realising at last that avenues are now pockets

From which revenue will be lifted, and semi-righteously

Thieved. As the cash is claimed back and the handouts

Infiltrate every wallet, and we begin paying when only

A rumour of work is received. The economy’s shot,

As was Bob Marley’s Sherriff, and now it needs

Comeback, and payback, too. Bills cry loud. Sadly,

The sleeve held no heart, and now it’s been rolled

Back very clearly. Despite the splatters of blood

Near the collar, those who have spluttered

And fevered their last unwrap shrouds.

Or, failing that these new shields that will

Make us resemble bee keepers, or strange

Snooker players, childlike Astronauts,

Welders, plastic machine workers,

Or divers perhaps on flat earth.

The Lockdown has been raised but you must

Still fall bored in your kitchen. You can of

Course seek a take-out and a bubble blown

Fish and chips to fuel girth. But with so much

That was sensory stripped, what worth the cage

Falling open? For the captive heart and mouth

Long imprisoned is not used to the wine it once

Sipped. We now all have Tesco tongues and

Sainsburys’ stoked saliva. Buying even natural

Goods becomes processed when you can’t

Assess or be introduced through dry lips.

Now, no car claims the road without seeking one

Set against it. After four months food through

Shelter, the car to the cafe or the ghosted pub

Will sit starved. So,Gil fills his glass and stares

At his three course meal parking tickets,

Recognising that the times of true freedom

That were tasted before, leave him carved.

The lockdown has been leased, but gas

Will fill every garage. I thus announce a new

Virus: as the leased light leans to blind us

The survival strain pains the heart.

David Erdos June 18th 2020

For more poems from David Erdos visit The Corona Diaries collection 

David Erdos is an actor, writer, director with over 300 professional credits. He is a published poet, playwright, essayist and illustrator. He has lectured on all disciplines in theatre and film for leading performing arts colleges, schools and universities around the world. His books include EASY VERSES FOR DIFFICULT TIMES, THE SCAR ON THE CLOUD, OIL ON SILVER, NEWS FROM MARS, CHANGING PLACES WITH LIGHT (penniless press) and BYZANTIUM with the photographer Max Reeves. He is a contributing editor for The International Times and maker of documentaries all over the world. David’s work has been acclaimed by many leading figures including Harold Pinter, Heathcote Williams, Alan Moore, Andrew Kotting, Chris Petit and Iain Sinclair in whose recent book THE LAST LONDON, David features. He can be reached at David.erdos@sky.com.

David Erdos

©    David Erdos has asserted his moral rights as author of his work and has full copyright.