Monthly Archives: April 2020

Masquerading

Masquerading

Today we are advised our face masks to don
Preventing our germs that to you might just spawn
Thus adorned, some people are inclined to swank
In past times so attired we might rob a bank!

But I must say it comes as quite a surprise
That this gear does not cause others’ eyebrows to rise
Beneath the covering our expressions concealed
Perhaps gritted teeth from the public we shield

As we go to the shops and come close to others
We don’t wish to impregnate our sisters or brothers
But their safety at all times we want to ensure
And the mask stops us expelling something impure

So as we gaze at each other from behind the mask
We serenely get on with whatever task
In these days of lockdown we have to perform
Hoping the virus can no further swarm

Ken Fisher

So

Have you noticed how often
People use the word ‘so’?
All sorts of functions
On ‘so’ they bestow

In answers to questions
‘so’ starts the reply
Then follows the answer
That lets you know why

So is used as an adverb
Meaning to such an extent
So we describe a thing’s size
Thus its scale represents

So is a conjunction
And can be employed as a link
So, instead of ‘and then’
Can be useful I think

So also appears
In so many phrases
As in so on and so forth
We thus sing its praises

But perhaps so is now used
To emphasise what we say
So start off with so
Your profound words to convey!

So what? I hear you say.

Ken Fisher

New Every Morning (in Unsettling Times)

New Every Morning (in Unsettling Times)

When I stir from fretful sleep, thoughts churning at the opening day
How quickly does my mind recall the worries, fears along the way
Which pained my heart the night before and readily did steal my peace
And from this turmoil of the mind no easy flight or cheap release

And yet as I wake and come again to consciousness
I realize that this new day is given by God who richly promises
That every thought and deed may His good gifts reflect
He grants us life and health and all our ways affects

And as the hymn enjoins us to recall, the trivial round, the common task
Hallowed by His love is all we ask
The opportunity to show forth by our deeds
Our love for others, gracious care for each one’s needs

So each new day let’s make it our resolve that every care
Each task, each duty prompt our earnest prayer
That thus our lifetime’s daily story
May reflect on our Lord and bring Him glory

For life is lived in steps of one brief day
Thus we progress along our chosen way
So as each day provides a chance anew
Lets walk with God who can make all things new

Now in these days of tight confinement
While virus threat persists malignant
Let not our thoughts become obsessed
Ensure that hope is still expressed

Ken Fisher

Life on the Pause Button

Life on the Pause Button

 

You are happily working on your machine
When the swirling beach ball hits the screen
Perhaps simply meant to entertain
Let’s hope not the harbinger of pain

This spinning rainbow wheel should not alarm
It’s not intended to do us harm
It signifies attempts to run an application
And should not cause undue frustration

I wonder if that’s how you feel now
Life put on Pause, you don’t know how
That hovering disk of coronavirus
Huge interruption, undesirous

The coloured disk is just a sign
In computing really quite benign
Just a minor interruption
Not heralding life’s destruction

But here we are, all normal life on pause
Heroic NHS we would applause
And all those who help life to sustain
Until this menace we constrain

In due time that swirling ball should disappear
When we may cast aside our fear
Slowly from enforced isolation
Arise subdued and chastened nation

But in the meantime we must be patient
Each new day must be sufficient
And ‘normality’ will in time return
Then new patterns we must surely learn

Ken Fisher

Log-on All Ye Faithful

Log-on All Ye Faithful
[Easter worship during social isolation]

Easter, a time for reflection and celebration
The cross held high and the empty tomb
But this year the observance of our nation
Bound by the confines of our room

Meeting together as part of the church
By the virus put into suspension
Through the ‘chat room’ your presence we search
Would grasp again that eternal dimension

So may the message of Easter still resonate
God’s love shown for all on the cross
As on Easter morn we would celebrate
His rising, defeating all loss

So as each of us gather in our little cell
Denied being just one congregation
May we be assured that all will be well
Faith overcomes separation

Ken Fisher

On-Screen Appearance

On-Screen Appearance

[Communication as required under coronavirus!]

In these unusual days when we self-isolate
We have to find new ways to communicate
So as we position ourselves in front of our screen
We are somewhat concerned about how we are seen

Of course the first problem is to make the connection
And it takes time and practice to find the selection
Do we use ZOOM or Facetime or perhaps even Skype?
And then we must know when to click or to swipe

Now I know it’s important that we should not seem vain
But appearances count you know, all the same
As we appear on your screen we make an impression
Best with positive stance and a smiling expression

But our face is not all that our contacts can view
The way we are clothed they clearly see too
So for this on-screen discourse there is a prerequisite
We need to consider what is good etiquette

Many think that when we are not meeting face to face
A smart appearance we can simply forsake
But I suggest that if we wish to remain business-like
Competence is the mien that we must still strike

But not all our Zooming is for important transactions
Quite often it’s with family or friends we have interactions
Fashion might not then be our primary concern
So to a more casual style we can return

Thus in the morning jogging bottoms may be quite OK
In the afternoon my new jumper can be on display
But in the evening perhaps when you might see me close up
Hair nicely combed, and for the ladies(?)– make-up!

And you might think that as we are all more remote
Dress sense we no longer need to promote
But I hope you will find these guidelines deserve our adherence
In such isolation don’t ignore your on-screen appearance!

Ken Fisher