December 11th, 2019. A day which I'll never forget - standing in the warm Northern Irish sun, collecting my Masters Degree and Graduate Plus award. My year of toil and study is over, and I've achieved a lot: learned new languages, explored a new culture, worked for a world class university and experienced death, hatred and destruction first hand. I can finally leave this place, avoid their flags, avoid the isle of hate. For such a beautiful country, such a beautiful city, with such friendly people, such hatred exists. It's the plague of this island: it always has been. It likely always will be.
Among the hate, there are jewels of hope. A work colleague raising her family, another looking forward to marriage, the other overcoming her past transgressions to become more accepting of others. Students from all over the world having the confidence to come here, to interact, to socialise. Individuals such as myself pushing themselves to achieve greatness and unlock their inner passions.
But oh, how the world has come crashing down in five long months. It's pure chance that I'm writing this on May 11th, at least two months into a lockdown. An invisible killer is spreading across our planet. It's happened before, though not in our lifetime. We've seen huge changes to life, to how we interact, shop, travel and exist. Many of us, myself included are now working from home. I'd secured a job before I graduated, and not two months into employment, I was at home, working to help with Cornwall's response to the crisis. I've been helping to support vulnerable children and adults, to make sure they receive the help and support that they need in this time. I've also ceased all my usual beach cleaning efforts, to keep myself and others safe. I'd love to be out there, helping to save our environment and cleaning up the detritus of humanity... but I just can't right now.
But even in this time, there is hope. The amazing work of the NHS, Cleaners and Porters, Police, Fire Service, RNLI, Coastguard, Journalists, Prison Staff, Care Workers, Refuse Collectors, Transport Staff, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, British Army, Local Government Workers, Government, Civil Service, Hauliers and Shop Workers must be commended. Captain Tom has united a country with his outstanding fundraising efforts - something which has inspired other male and female veterans. The crews of HMS Mersey and RFA Argus have been deployed in part to help British Overseas Territories, and the outstanding construction of temporary hospitals must be recognised too. These people all carry the hopes of a nation, and while all reflect our losses, all convey a message of hope and a resemblance to the normality we once knew. There's hope in the recovery of patients, the desire to succeed, and the love people have for their friends, family and country. That is what we must look to right now.
I'm sure nobody will read this, and I'm sure no one will care. But hope is everywhere, you just have to see it. This is a time to be brave, but not bold. We must listen to others and take advice from our relevant authorities. If you feel at risk or you know you are at heightened risk, then stay at home! The health of yourselves, family and others is far more important. Interaction can kill. It will kill.
Nightfall has always been set into sections, reflecting my life. It really is like a poetry book of my life, albeit having some gaping holes. This new section of poems will continue to detail life after university and the COVID crisis.
YOU ARE READING
Nightfall - A lifetime in self isolation
PoetryHave you ever felt alone? Nightfall takes the ever darkening thoughts of a lonely student trapped in a warring community and turns them into poetry. My thoughts laid out for you.
