Back to Normal
Lockdown, the pandemic, August/September 2021
Having a baby was the most intensely disruptive event of my life.
Not the birth but what came after.
My baby wasn’t the regular type
no long sleeps
no separation from his mum.
He came everywhere
filling my world, expanding out of proportion to his size.
It was wonderful and horrible.
It stretched our love thin, but it always held,
giving just enough for you, me, and him.
It was almost a year before I accepted
the changes this baby had wrought in my life.
Much like here, now, mid-pandemic, early-Delta,
with our lives rotated 180 degrees.
Adaptations have sprung into being
masks, social distancing, school and work from home,
click and collecting, more time, less time,
relaxing, working more hours, essential work,
filling our lives with sourdough loaves,
finding new ways to occupy our kids,
keeping to the rules, or not,
we’re all in this together.
Not the birth but what came after.
My baby wasn’t the regular type
no long sleeps
no separation from his mum.
He came everywhere
filling my world, expanding out of proportion to his size.
It was wonderful and horrible.
It stretched our love thin, but it always held,
giving just enough for you, me, and him.
It was almost a year before I accepted
the changes this baby had wrought in my life.
Much like here, now, mid-pandemic, early-Delta,
with our lives rotated 180 degrees.
Adaptations have sprung into being
masks, social distancing, school and work from home,
click and collecting, more time, less time,
relaxing, working more hours, essential work,
filling our lives with sourdough loaves,
finding new ways to occupy our kids,
keeping to the rules, or not,
we’re all in this together.
I scream into my pillow when it all gets too much and make blueberry cake for your birthday;
you thank me like your life depends on it.
Our bubble includes your parents, just in case.
The teenager takes to this new life like he was born to it.
In the garden daffodils bunch
hyacinths shake their perfumed heads
tulips flounce into being
hellbores burst from the soil
trilliums flick white tips in the wind
blossom seems to have sifted out of nowhere to cover the apricot tree.
A paddock away
the Mata Au is full of life, new leaves floating past like tiny electric boats high on the outdoors
catkins festoon the willows
people flock along the tracks like sheep seeing an open gate.
We escape daily
to breathe fast moving air come from the Antarctic on a southerly breeze
to stretch our static limbs beside the always moving river
to feel fresh sunlight
to rest our eyes on Kōpūwai white-flanked with spring snow
to hear the squeak and sough of trees moving in the wind
turning to each other eyes sparkling with laughter over something you said
resetting ourselves, not returning to normal.
© Libby Paulin 2021
Can you see the duck? Harry Farrell
Green house growing.
Harry Farrell
Harry Farrell
Listen to the Busy Bees
@ the
Clyde Bridge
@ the
Clyde Bridge
MY COVID POEM
BY VIOLET YOUNG
Cromwell Primary School
We need a brew
That will fix this awful flu
We get down and blue
If we have the covid flu
It's the worst
You'll feel like you've been cursed
Jacinda Adern is feeling some concern
Make sure you get your vaccination turn
BY VIOLET YOUNG
Cromwell Primary School
We need a brew
That will fix this awful flu
We get down and blue
If we have the covid flu
It's the worst
You'll feel like you've been cursed
Jacinda Adern is feeling some concern
Make sure you get your vaccination turn
Violet wrote this in response to reading George's Marvellous Medicine.
To the Clyde Lookout and Back.
Last day at level two smiles.
Wattle, blossom, bees, and pussy willow.
Last leaf on the tree.
Last day at level two smiles.
Wattle, blossom, bees, and pussy willow.
Last leaf on the tree.
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Sorting schoolday photos from 1946, knitting, and walking locally. MeredithLoading...
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My Lockdown project-a pocket wall hanging for my Aussie granddaughter to put her soft toys, books in. Barb Hall
Smoko time for Mum, Grandma, Addison, and bike guide Fergus. Leading the team around the airport dam.
Safety first with Ferg, at the waterfall steps at the top of Brandy Hill.
Spring brings hope - Valda Cross
The idea of my piwakawaka (fantail) was inspired by my Dad. He calls me piwakawaka and so I thought, how could I make a fantail? I made it out of sheep wool which is an eco-friendly material.
I am so happy with the way it has turned out and I am so thankful for my Mum who helped me with it.
Paige Adams, The Terrace Primary School.
I am so happy with the way it has turned out and I am so thankful for my Mum who helped me with it.
Paige Adams, The Terrace Primary School.
An excerpt from How Covid19 Spread.
By Emily Smith
Cromwell Primary School
To stay safe from Covid19 stay at home and keep yourself safe or if you're going somewhere wear a mask and keep two metres away from people walking or biking past you. Even though you’re in level four or other levels, you still can go out to exercise your body and your mind.
Blossom breaking out in Level 4
