Fancy a coffee?
Plenty of establishments
To choose from,
All over town they are,
Where you can sit and savour
Your black americano
Or caramel latte,
Even sneak a slice
Of millionaire’s shortbread.
Sorry………closed.
Run out of underwear,
Looking for a new dress,
Or, like me, you need
To get your cowboy boots heeled?
There’s plenty of shops
For you to browse and buy in.
Sorry……….closed.
Need some peace and quiet,
To rest your weary feet?
Pop in the library
And enjoy its warm embrace
As you scan the shelves
Or browse the events flyers.
Sorry………closed.
Is your hair getting too long
Or your nails are cracked?
The hairdresser or beautician
Will see you right in no time.
Sorry……….closed.
Caught short while out and about?
Drop by the town hall,
Asda, Sainsbury’s,
Or any of the aforementioned cafes,
Or Pleydell Gardens
Or Radnor Park.
Sorry………closed.
Arrange to meet a friend
And take a stroll along the prom?
Hug, hold hands
Or just walk side by side,
That costs nothing, surely?
Sorry……….not allowed.
All simple, everyday pleasures
We readily take for granted,
Now temporarily withdrawn.
An inconvenience, an irritation,
A jolt to our comfortable routine.
But a small price for our safety,
And the opportunity
To appreciate them again.
Tony Quarrington 
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