During the first long lockdown a sense of lack of control continued to increase, but some people made an effort and the decisive decisions.
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Random information arrives electronically
short bursts of images and speech
aimless contact with the outside
a melange of mixed messages.
My tolerance of serendipity
increases weekly, I am weakening.
Seduced by a constant assurance
of male comfort, I succumb and buy
a pair of bamboo underpants, with lycra inserts.
Seventeen pounds, but no delivery charge.
It seemed a positive act, easily achieved,
I felt connected to the world again.
Nothing arrived, the days slowly passed
my wife convinced I had been scammed.
Then a message, ‘Apologies, your underpants
have been refused entry by UK Customs
and have been returned to Australia.’
At last, strong immigration controls!
False news, the pants got through.
I have them now in isolation,
with two more free pairs dispatched
to regain customer satisfaction.
A single achievement in this long lock-down
three pairs of pants and sixty thousand deaths.
