Subterranean 3/25/20

Houses 

like rows of corn 

with mortals ripe in readiness

wait to emerge 

from the subterranean dens.

  

Every day seems like Sunday.

Author's Note

Covid-19 lockdown.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

A short piece here that says a lot. The date in the title relates to the time just after the beast fully pounced, when people did dwell in "subterranean dens." Everyone was afraid to go out, certain commodities were scarce due to panic buying and hoarding. Knowledge about the virus was very sketchy. Things are somewhat better now, what with the understanding we have gained and the promise of new vaccines becoming available. But some of the fear and uncertainty the poem portrays well still remains. It's uncomfortable, but it's better than the recklessness that too many have shown. The numbers won't improve until we really want them to.

[Relic]

You're right, John. Thank you for the read.

[Richard🖌]

Well, My Fine Friend 🤜 ✫🤛

I hope there soon will be no reason for you to compose another virus poem, even though this is such a brilliant piece on how Covid-19 has turned so many of us into virtual recluses.
One might well wonder what social skills have become rusty (even lost) since isolation began … we'll soon see, I hope.

Another great write from your, always original, pen.
Thank you, Tim, for sharing! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Relic]

Thanks very much for the comment, Richard.

[Lorry]

Now I have little boxes, the theme tune from Weeds playing in my head 😊
We did somehow manage to escape from the food chain by building our own jail cells and then hiding in them.
Who knew it would come in so handy in the covid years too. I miss the outside, but I've been told it's doubleplus bad out there so I'll just stay in my box like I'm told.
It's been a bit like childhood for me, with the constant mental battle of being told to stay in just makes us more determined to be outside.
Your last line sums it up perfectly.

[Relic]

:) Thank you for the comment, Lorry. Much appreciated.

[andrew mitchell]

This just resonated freedom from one's confines, yes we all need a breathe of fresh air . Nice writing Tim.

[Relic]

Thanks, andrew. Much appreciated.

[andrew mitchell]

I just had that imagery of rows of houses from an aerial view that you see in English towns all lined up the same!

[Relic]

I saw the same where I live. Every house has a pool in the backyard.

[andrew mitchell]

Handy in summer!

[Relic]

Yeah, unless the neighbors that have one are too loud and won't get out. haha

[Moonie]

It's so visually splendid. I feel we all are waiting for the true spring to come so we can sprout out like fresh souls from our subterranean haunts, having levelled up as individuals during this time by working on honing our talents and skills.

[Relic]

Thank you, Moon.

[Rania M]

This is mind blowing and the idea is brilliant! I couldn’t help wondering if one day a myriad of deadly viruses will push the human race to a subterranean existence? I even remember a book I read in O level literature of HG Wells on a similar theme. Great stuff!

[Relic]

Thanks, Rania.

[Robert Trakofler]

A friend of mine just wrote me a message it said..."I can't wait for the quarantine to end so I can hug you" these cocoons housing all of us are cumbersome particularly to us extroverts that just want to emerge as butterflies LOL I have been able to get some social interaction thru my restaurant in doing pick up orders... but I have been craving some real social interaction! I can't imagine if I had been just sitting at home these last two weeks after just 4 days I was going bonkers! Yesterday was sunny and warm and next to my store all of the bartenders from the bar around the corner were stoop sitting drinking beer and smoking pot and planning on opening up Monday for pick up food orders... (apparently they couldn't take it too LOL) of course I went outside to see them a couple of times too (Bad Bunny!) but i didn't stand outside too long cause the stoop became a magnate for other folks in the neighborhood & I didn't want to set a bad example. love your reflections in this poem but I would not dare say it is my last virus poem cause i know another will come sneaking out before long

[Relic]

Thanks for reading, Robert.

[barleygirl]

I am missing all of this. Nothing has changed in the wilderness. I'm so sick of this being the only thing people can talk or write about. Sorry for my intolerance for the world's latest obsession (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Our street so quiet. Lights out early at night. Has such a strange feel to it. I can't help thinking that when we emerge we will all appreciate each other so much better Tim.

Chris

[Relic]

I hope so. Thanks, Chris.

[.]

A very appropriate title for our current times, dear Relic! It does feel like we are subterranean living at present; I am into Day 11 in isolation and it sure feels that way to me! The "Sunday" reference makes complete sense as well. So much time on our hands and little work to do. Hopefully this will all end soon and we can emerge from our caverns again. A clever write. Much enjoyed! :)

[Relic]

Thanks very much, Jamila.