What on Earth ... ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber   

The owner of a pub about to enter the strictest tier of restrictions in England was recently heard to comment, “We do our best, but it’s never enough. We are told one thing, and do it, then we are told something different.  How are we expected to plan ahead? What I wouldn’t give to know just what’s going on behind the doors of Number 10 Downing Street! 

Well, the old saying is so true in so far as we never know what’s happening behind closed doors, especially when those doors give access to the powers-that-be responsible for making decisions that all but map out our daily lives. 

Here in the UK, even the Government admits that relaxing safety regulations designed to protect us from Covid-19 during a 5-day window over Christmas will inevitably lead to more deaths. If the thinking behind it is that many people will do their own thing anyway, why not leave things as they are; most people will respect the regulations while those who don’t will go their own way regardless of any window.

WHAT ON EARTH... ?

Weary of restrictions,
patience running (very) thin
shoppers turning on
anyone putting them right
about masks slipping
or not caring to wear one at all;
conspiracy theories
all the rage, and testing the self-control
of majority non-believers 

Christmas edging closer,
safety restrictions to be lifted
for a window of cheer
no matter anyone flinging it
wide open likely
to pay dearly for the pleasure
once it’s slammed shut,
Covid-19 having had no such reservations,
continuing to make itself felt 

Mothers, fathers, sisters,
brothers and close friends left
grieving as we move
into 2021, hopeful a vaccine
will bring an end
once and for all to a coronavirus
spreading chaos and pain
the likes of which all humanity can but trust
it may never so endure again  

May the world’s politicians
stay mindful, too, of such threats
as global warming
to all nature and humankind,
reasoning the need
with care, clarity, and openness,
no room for confusion,
less underestimating Joe Public’s watchful eye
on the party politics of illusion 

Such is life, most of us making
the best of things rather than dwell
on worst scenarios,
its being too precious to waste;
better to seize the day,
celebrate a common humanity,
for all its population
left sighing over rainbows time and again, asking
"What on earth is going on ...?"

Copyright R. N. Taber 2020