By Emily Clott, Class of 2012
It’s time to make up a pandemic rhyme,
A poem that’s cheery and hopeful.
I’ve done it before, so why not this time?
Cuz right now I’m feeling quite nopeful.
We’ve been stuck at home over a month now.
We are warm, well fed, healthy and lucky.
Yet I’m not in the mood to share joy and good cheer
All stiff upper lip, faux brave and plucky.
Let’s be real, boys and girls these are not happy days
Sickness, death, unemployment abound.
It’s so easy to wallow in sadness and worry
While praying that suffering ends in a hurry.
Covid hit CAC at a really bad time
We were all set for spring joys and pleasures.
Now who knows if we’ll ever return to present
Walk Through Time, River Cruises, or Treasures
While bad weather cannot stop a docent,
Covid-19 has proven more potent.
It has shut down our sweet home Chicago
And turned planned spring tours into a no go.
Oh please Covid, don’t mess with our summer,
Not sure how we would deal with that bummer.
Tours and concerts, blue skies, sun, vacations
Baseball, cookouts, outdoor celebrations.
Let us hope by then Covid is over
Social distancing does what it’s meant for.
We stay home, wash our hands, wear our masks
These are simple, quite doable tasks.
Yet if each of us does our small part
Maybe soon summer touring can start.
Our haunts, Lakefront, Parks, Riverwalk, pools
Will shine to our fresh eyes bright as jewels.
Looks like my nervous breakdown is fading,
As I listen to what Covid’s saying
That since absence makes our hearts grow fonder
When this ends we’ll be able to ponder
How these quiet days, shut in and changing
Slowed us down, made us think, rearranging
Our perspective on what we should treasure:
Friendship, health, family, love without measure.
Emily- just what we needed. Thanks so much!
Delightful! I loved your rhyming of “hopeful” and “nopeful,” and your quarantine necklace is priceless.
Thanks so much, Emily. It is such a break from the other very “nopeful” news of the day. You are certainly ready to be crowned Miss Covid-19 in that outfit, your necklace in particular. Thanks for the ray of sunshine in this dull weather time.
Thanks for the day-brightener.
Terrific, Emily. Question: have you read all of those books on the shelf behind you? Please say “no.” I haven’t touched but one on my bedside table. Cannot even see my clock any more because of the stack. And I think it was you who wrote that Big Thank-You to Chicago Tribune journalists that appeared in today’s newspaper.. I agree 1000%.
Hi, Rebecca, No I have not read all of those books, but I may have time to read them all at this rate! Thanks, Emily
I now wear a big smile. As I’m sure I am shAring with many others. Thank you for spreading joy among us.
Dear Emily (Dickenson) Clott,
A fine poem! But you should insure that necklace – it is likely to be stolen if left unattended.
Absolutely fabulous!
Well-rhymed, Emily.
Priceless!
I think this whole poem resulted from thinking of “pleasures” and “Treasures.”
Wee done.
Or even well done!
I am happy to hear that you are well. I hope that everyone is alright.
Cheery hat with cheery message. Great lift up!
Your photo and poem are wonderful. Thank you for lifting all of our spirits. Looking forward to thanking you and seeing everyone in person!
Jill C
Brava Emily!
great job Emily.
I liked your letter to the Tribune also
Jan E
Emily! Love your poem as well as your finery. Thanks for adding some brightness to the day. Betsy