Rachel Goffredo, who has lived in Wilmslow for many years, kindly sent this poem that she has written.
Fear; the enemy of peace, the opposite of love
We are all scared
We are all bewildered
Navigating our way in a new world order
Trying to keep it together for our kids and loved ones
All those things we took for granted only a matter of days ago have vanished...
A walk on the beach
A car trip to anywhere
A flight to somewhere hot and sunny
A warm hug with old friends
We are mourning these things, but we will not be beaten.
Life has changed for the present and the foreseeable
But we are more determined now than ever...to fight You Corona
We can stand together with the rest of them
We've done so many times before
Our loved ones from a bygone era proved that
Now it's Our turn.
Love has blossomed through this
The community has reached out
Our shy, reserved kindness has been given a chance to show itself
Many, many people here have offered help, support and love to strangers in need.
You are all heroes...
Those who work in the NHS and public services...
From nurses to cleaners, doctors to binmen, postmen to shopworkers
You are all amazing.
Many have lost loved ones
Overpowered by grief and fear for the future
But we are here for you, reach out.
We can be proud again of our nation, our solidarity, our stoicism
We will beat you Corona virus.
You will never win.
One day...
We will hug our parents again,
See our friends,
Jump on a train and fly in the sky
Until that day let's stay safe, stay home and stay together
Rachel Goffredo
