South Chingford Autumn 2020

This poem was written as a complement to "South Chingford Spring 2020" to cover the situation half a year on.

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              SOUTH CHINGFORD AUTUMN 2020

The blossom’s gone, there’s queues no more,
next masked marauders filled the store.
But depleted shelves soon replenished, our fears to allay,
things largely back to normal, with just the odd delay.
Sometimes with mask and fogged-up glasses, some searches are in vain,
while milk chocolate bar with fruit, fear we’ll never see again.

The ducks are on the pond no more,
but they’ll return next year for sure!
While Love South Chingford  keep things spick and span,
we’re lucky they’re there with their talisman Jan.
And with refurbished courts and outdoor gym brand-new.
Thanks are due to local councillors and the council too!

Most shops were open, then they gave us tiers,
and we upped one, more closures, increasing our fears.
As for the giant yellow crane, she was kept so busy,
building  Centenary House homes, from her height so dizzy,
for company Sixty Bricks. Soon new residents will appear.
Hope they like Chingford when they arrive next year.

Throughout the Summer,  events and activities had free rein.
With exercise, music, and dance to educate and entertain.
Elite sports of all kinds returned to track or pitch or court.
But most behind closed doors, no crowds for real support!
More heroes have appeared as time has long progressed,
like Marcus, and the vaccine teams, whose efforts are the very best.

Sadly, the weekly clap’s no more, the one community highlight dropped.
But for me, and friends and neighbours, our caring has not stopped.
Now too much daytime TV with the irritating commercial breaks,
but suppose it gives me time for lots of tea and cakes!
Often I get the teatime teasers, but I don’t want to go or compare,
 or to sing in a new car, or to purchase  a riser recliner chair!

Library volunteers  work so hard, for building  re-opening to prepare.
But frustrations remain, with so many vulnerable, we must take extra care.
We will survive this, most of us, the lucky ones, but still keep in mind,
so many more lost by now, so tragically, and the grieving left behind.
But, with vaccines now appearing, and first people a jab now done.
We look forward, with renewed hope, to twenty-twenty-one!

                              Richard A. Ashen

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