I wrote the following for my paper at the International Conference of Autoethnography #ICAE7 today. It's a work in progress (I think) with probably more to come:

T'was a night during #lockdown 1/16

T’was a night during lockdown, when all thro’ the House (of Commons),
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The politicians were home, with absolutely no stress,
No zoom or team meetings, this eve they can rest. 2/16

Their offspring snuggled up, warm and cosy in their beds,
No troubles, no fears upmost in their heads.
Elsewhere there are children less able to dream,
Of tablet-time, of play-time, of fun and ice-cream. 3/16

Almost a third of children in poverty before Covid began,
It’s only got worse for these kids and the rest of their fam.
In addition to worries of how to keep healthy,
They’ve concerns about basics, unlike the wealthy. 4/16

Charitable needs rising at such a fast rate.
Is surely symbolic of a callous, broken State?
Whilst austerity, as ever, falls most on the vulnerable,
The pandemic continues to benefit the insufferable. 5/16

We went into lockdown, but was it too late?
It all feels like incompetence rather than fate.
So much confusion from the political elite,
If only they’d be clear with communication concrete. 6/16

‘Shake hands, no don’t now, keep your distance, stay alert, stay inside,
Do as we say, and if bewildered, let common sense be your guide.’
So we follow their messages, but not their examples,
For what they all do is much more than a shambles. 7/16

The aids and advisers help make the rules,
And yet their own daily actions take us for fools.
Trips to test eye-sight, visit lovers and holiday homes,
‘All in it together’, debunked by their’ roams. 8/16

Thank your god, or your neighbour, for those that do care,
Whose work – paid or unpaid – may save some from despair.
Volunteers who give time, others what-ever they’re able,
Public servants on duty, quick to help, slow to label. 9/16

When we are lonely, poorly, helpless, or scared,
These people ensure that our burden is shared.
And during this time of anxiety for all,
There are many who need support or else they might fall. 10/16

Add all the keyworkers who work night and day,
To ensure we are fed, post delivered, rubbish taken away.
So much kindness and goodness, clear for all to see,
In care homes and hospitals, in communities large and wee. 11/16

So what do we do to thank those who care?
Proper PPE and pay, better resources might be fair.
But it seems all they’re worth is a medal and some clapping,
Free car packing didn’t last long; the monied men flapping. 12/16

So many deaths, so much grief, so much sadness,
And little hope of soon being out of this madness.
Lockdown is easing but with a second wave predicted,
Have we become used to a life more restricted? 13/16

The debate over mask wearing suggests not so much,
Although perhaps the virus isn’t the issue as such.
Rather it’s a backlash to being told what to do,
But why such an issue when it protects us? Me and you. 14/16

So the mixed messages reign and the confusions continue,
Yet the government insist that they strain every sinew.
The opposition’s little better with its’ ‘constructive critique’,
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the future is bleak. 15/16

All I can say to end this ramble of a case
Is do all you need in your own space and place.
Let’s look out for each other the best that we can.
At work and at home, each girl, boy, woman and man. 16/16