There’s a darkness
spreading over this planet
starting in China
and slowly creeping
into Italy,
and, from there,
into the rest of Europe.
and into every single country
in the world.

No country is safe.

Governments declare
states of emergency
and entire countries
are in lock-down.
Borders are closed,
flights are cancelled,
schools and businesses close
and supermarket shelves
empty.

This is Coronavirus
and everyone is at risk.

We call into Barnam’s ice cream shop
for coffee.
We are the only customers.
After a while
the door pushes open
and four young children
swarm in,
talking excitedly,
pushing past each other,
darting from side to side
to survey
oh, so many flavours
of ice cream.

Minutes later,
these young children
sit on a bench,
legs swinging,
as they eagerly lick
ice cream cones
that are piled high
with brightly-coloured
ice cream.

These children are absolutely bursting
with utter contentment.

Thank you, Lord,
for these children
who breezed into Barnam’s today
in a whirlwind of happiness,
unknowingly lifting the spirits
of us grown-ups
and bringing a little sparkle of light
and an atmosphere of joy
into the darkness
that Coronavirus is casting
over the whole world.

© Claire Murray