Corona Diary: Possibly Week 3 – but are you counting?

Posted on by Josephine Corcoran

I’m not sure if this strange time had a proper beginning and I certainly can’t see its end.  This week I haven’t wanted to be online much even though there has been an explosion of people offering online workshops, readings and classes.  I’ve been slightly ill and still feel under the weather but I’m  sure (more or less but who knows??) it’s not Covid-19.  I’ve downloaded the Kings College, London, Symptom Checker App – now downloaded by over 1.5 million people – in the interests of research and treatment/ vaccine development.

It goes without saying that it is perfectly OK to not be online at the moment (I’m kind of talking to myself here, but perhaps I’m talking to you, too).  I’m still trying to find time every day for myself and my reading and writing.  I also try to walk by myself every day, or to be quiet even when I’m walking with someone else.  I really need silence and stillness which is harder to find now that the house is full.  I don’t mean to be ungrateful because I am glad that l have a house with a garden, and that my immediate family is here with me.

Something I did this week that felt useful was make sandwiches for the soup and sandwich run for people who are in need which is organised by the church I go to, and to continue to commit to support it.  It’s a Churches Together project in Trowbridge, a collaborative effort by all churches to make and distribute hot soup and a sandwich to those who need it from a pre-arranged place every day.  When I made and dropped of my sandwiches at the back of the church, I waved hello to our Parish Priest and a few Parishioners.  We had a shouty conversation, keeping our social distance. How weird not to be at weekly Mass.  There are services online but I really haven’t wanted to ‘attend’.  Perhaps I will in time.

Before churches were asked to close their doors because of the lockdown, I took some photos of the empty church.

This week I’ve also been preoccupied with trying to help my son cancel his student accommodation contract for next term.  I hope that this will soon be sorted out and I hope all universities allow students to cancel payment for accommodation they can no longer use.

Sorry if this post is very flat!  How are things with you? I’m finding it hard, hard, hard to read and write poetry at the moment, I’m not sure why.  I’m reading and writing prose, instead, currently Margaret Atwood’s book Cat’s Eye which I’ve been carrying around for years without ever reading – as is so often the case with books I buy.  The book prompted me to begin a short story a few weeks ago and I’m still working on that, slowly, slowly.

Having said what I’ve just said about poetry, there is one poem, ‘Small Kindnesses’ by  Danusha Lameris, that I’ve loved recently which feels, to me, so appropriate for now when many of us are contemplating how precious life is and how important people are to each other.

“What if they are the true dwelling of the holy, these fleeting temples we make together when we say, “Here, /  have my seat,” “Go ahead – you first,” “I like your hat.”

The poem was posted by Peggy Hughes on Twitter and I’m including it below. Take care, everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

15 thoughts on “Corona Diary: Possibly Week 3 – but are you counting?”

  1. Hi Josephine, I like the small kindnesses poem and the reminder of the deeper level of community. It is hard I think to allow the full impact of this present threat. It is a bit like being in a Margaret Atwood novel of a dystopian future but it is not fiction and it is now. It is hard to settle when we are sitting on apocalyptic fears. I mid-typed that as apocalyptic rears which works as a release for me anyway. Well done you for keeping on keeping on. John x

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  2. Hi Josephine,
    I really enjoyed the poem. It does capture the goodwill that makes the world a better place to live in. I’m also enjoying your walks on Instagram. At this end of the planet, we are being restricted to gatherings of no more than 2 people with the required distance – apart from people who live together obviously. Like yourself, I find I’m turning away from all those who are encouraging us to be busy busy online. I’m just starting to relax into reading again. I hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Hi Ann, Thanks for sharing what you’re doing and your kind words. We’re restricted to groups of no more than two as well, unless all living in same household. I haven’t walked for two days because I’ve felt a bit poorly. There is confusion here about being allowed to drive a short distance to exercise. UK Government new guidelines simply say “stay local” but some police forces have interpreted this as “don’t drive”. Stay well, Ann. J x

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    1. Thanks, Pam. Such an odd time. I’m sure it will pass soon. Both of my children arrived back from uni with seasonal ailments so I’ve probably picked something up from one of them. Take care x

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  6. Hello Josephine. I hope you’re feeling a lot better by now, and hence your spirits improved too. Though I think most people are finding that it’s an up and down time.
    As a crime, and historical crime, fan I’m reading an e-library book ‘The Crooked Spire’ by a local Leeds author – and excellent storyteller- Chris Nickson. It revolves around the building of the Chesterfield church spire and is set within living memory of the Black Death. So, topical in that there is occasional reference to it by the protagonist. Would highly recommend.

    I’d really like to get down to writing a fresh short story. You might have galvanized me!

    Stat safe and well x

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    1. Hi Moira, Thanks for commenting and I’m pleased you have good reading material. We have had some kind of illness in the house with some of the Covid-19 symptoms but we are all feeling better now. It is a very up and down time, you’re right! Keep on keeping on. Best wishes, Josephine x

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