Coronaviral

Coronaviral

Some feelings are familiar

Close companions

Fellow travellers

Fear is a renowned

Camp follower

A treacherous virus

Hiding in the shadows

Of the bravest heart

Hitching a ride

Taking more than it needs

To survive

Tearing down defences

Wearing its pretence

In different guises

Adapting to its host

Peeling back the edges

Of any dressing

Temporarily applied

To expose the wound beneath

Salve is in short supply

As days go by

Fear is the monster

Under the bed

Tied up in chains

In the cupboard

Deep in your head

Trying to escape

A constant irritant

Always there

A conscientious objector

A reminder

Of self-loathing

Desperation

And the mutuality

Of joint enterprise

Taking prisoners

On both sides

What would happen

If you were to

Use the key

You always had

Open the door

Show it the way,

Set a fearful spirit

Free.