Life in the Time of COVID-19, Part 34
Today’s poem, “Resurgence” by Chris Billings touches upon our current situation. Chris is a member and co-chair/co-host of the Sun Poet’s Society.
Resurgence
By Chris Billings
They watched in wonder
in disbelief
as the second wave
approached the shore
bigger
faster
more violent than the first
from which they managed to escape
while others weren’t so lucky
but they were safe
they said they were safe
the officials said they were safe
because the first wave hadn’t really
done much damage
not nearly as much as was reported
they didn’t believe there would be another wave
the officials said there wouldn’t be another wave
yet here it came
the second wave
they watched as it barreled towards shore
watched as it reached up to the sky
watched as it crested
then crashed down hard upon the shore
some tried to run
some watched helpless as others washed away
some still believed it wasn’t that bad
it wasn’t really a wave, but a big ripple
because the officials told them so
the rescue team continued to work
even as non-believers
were pulled under
Excellent work. So accurate, so sadly accurate.
This poem has both a literal as well as a metaphorical meaning. Both terrifying. Simple words and scary well crafted poem.
Terrific work. The use of sea waves as metaphor is spot on.
Duo meaning, and both impactful. One meaning reminds me of photos in the news capturing people on a beach staring at a huge wave about to descend. They appear frozen in disbelief or terror. Metaphorically, very powerful.