December 20, 2020 | Ian Bland | Leave a comment The theme for this week’s JVG Radio Method poem is “Family“. And that as they say is your lot. The final one for 2020. Who could have known how prophetic that first poem for 2020 would be. There are still some poems missing from the 2020 archive and I will get them uploaded over the break. See you all in 2021 (it has to be better… right?) Ed Bates provided the music backing and seasonal sleigh bells. Thatch provided the audio production, have a listen to how it went below… To play this poem directly in your browser – just click the “play” button below: https://ianbland.com.au/audio/JVG_Poem20201220.mp3 Family Our first Covid Christmas, and it feels somewhat strange It proves beyond doubt how quickly things change One minute you’re housebound, avoiding disaster Or scouring the aisles for the last bag of pasta As freedoms return, though each day dawns brighter Repercussions continue and pockets are lighter While infections have fallen not so the stress And will, despite Christmas, rise nonetheless It spawns a new plague; domestic abuse Grievance no reason; stress no excuse Emotions, heightened can be hard to resist True strength is born from restraint, not a fist Take a break from the pressures that pull us apart The wallet’s in lockdown, not so the heart Think of those far worse off, those we have crossed Think of those who are hurting and those we have lost Forget presents, banquets, grudges and weather None can compete with family, together So put down your ipads, tell twitter to stick it Get the family together and play backyard cricket And if Grandad finds chewing too big a task Just quietly remind him to take off his mask Remember some of life’s pleasures can still be afforded Thanks to the toilet rolls you bastards have hoarded © Copyright 2020 Ian Bland Also have a listen to “Everything or Nothing” <a href=”http://music.ianbland.com.au/album/everything-and-nothing”>Everything And Nothing by Ian Bland</a> Share this:TweetEmailMoreTelegram