92-year-old Bill pens lockdown poem for Bluebird Care's poetry book

A book of poetry written by people aged from nine to 94 has been created to help people feel less isolated and lonely during the coronavirus pandemic.

The collection of poems was compiled by Bluebird Care Guildford & Waverley and Bluebird Care Rushmoor & Surrey Heath, after a competition run by the home care provider led to people of all ages coming up with inspiring poetry based on the theme ‘What Does Care Mean To You?’

The poetry book, which was handed out to Bluebird Care's home care clients in the Surrey region, includes poems written about care giving, isolation, lockdown and giving thanks to our NHS, amongst other topics.

Loneliness has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdown and shielding guidelines created for older people and those with health conditions.

The age of the competition’s budding poets ranged from nine-years-old to 94-years-old.

In his poem ‘COVID-19’, written last May during the national lockdown, 92-year-old Bill wrote:

I waken to a sun-blessed morn

A little bird salutes the dawn,

Another golden day- and yet

A sadness darkens the prospect.

For lockdown is still in force

And I’ll be isolated – it could be worse,

No contact - well - within two metres

A formal nod to friends and greeters.

No hugs or kisses – all are banned

Two metres gap - no shake of hands,

All love and affection put on hold

Til lockdown easing we are told.

The human spirit – ever strong

Will overcome this, however long,

And as the sun shines on our lives

The day will come when Joy survives.

Jade Grigg, care manager at Bluebird Care Guildford & Waverley and Bluebird Care Rushmoor & Surrey Heath, said: “The poetry competition has surprised and delighted us.

"We launched it in late May, just as the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was starting to ease - we were genuinely interested to hear from our community as to what care meant to people during this difficult and harrowing time.

“We were overwhelmed by the response from our community and the emotive content of the poems we received".

Bluebird Care has distributed the book of poems with all entries to its home care clients and care workers.

Jade Grigg added: “Everyone was very happy to receive the booklet and it has provided us with a focal point to discuss and communicate about what care means to us”.

click here for more details or to contact Bluebird Care