Eleven Questions for the Lockdown

To hear the poem read out by the author, please click below.

For each night is a long drink in a short glass.

(From Brenda Shaughnessy’s “Visitor”)

Each day is a long drink in an uncertain glass.

Will the glass shatter?

Will the last drop of water spill?

Will my legs give?

Will the sun rage too unkindly, too early in the year?

Will my children grow old before their time?

Will I forget how to hug?

Will hugs forget me?

Will the parakeets lock down their green wings for want of witnessing?

Will all laughter stop? Will it?

Will the beautiful mad people lose the game?

Will it get me—

that last trudge through the thirsty desert,

my legs on the verge of giving,

not an oasis in sight,

no, not one drop of poetry?