From a Distance
Ciaran Moreland
No structure or timing to these work-filled days
Working from a box in this unforeseen craze
Staring at a screen for hours upon end
Unable to go out and meet our friends
Our reality has become a room and a desk
We hope for something more and pray for nothing less
Turn on your camera and unmute your mic
Prepare for another session on zoom, teams or skype
No contact or meeting, communicating through keys
Trapped in a room and unable to feel the breeze
Learning in person, where has it all gone?
Is this what we spent £9250 on?
Both physical and mental, this is affecting our health
Wave goodbye to your sanity, your hobbies and wealth
It’s enough to drive you crazy and make you overstressed
The banging in your head, the weight on your chest
Hold on, just wait, there may be some hope
The numbers are falling, a decreasing slope
Good luck with your learning, good luck making friends
We’re all patiently waiting for this hell to end
I decided to express this concern using a poem because I feel that poems can be quite simple and short, yet they can convey a powerful message. Writing the poem has made me realise that the situation students have been placed in for the past academic year is abnormal and potentially detrimental to their health, yet this isn’t something that is heavily covered within the media. I feel that the mental health of students during the pandemic is a top priority for Universities and that many Universities have overlooked this issue and this has resulted in some very upsetting events occurring in several Universities during the pandemic.
I like the idea of using a poem to shed light upon this matter because poetry is a very different form of art compared to a drawing or a video, yet it still can be just as effective and it can make an impact on people just as much.
What a beautiful poem- I’m so proud of you x
A powerful realisation what students have had to cope with in such unprecedented times.
Fabulous! Well done you x
Thank you for sharing this powerful poem. Good luck with the rest of your studies. This time will give you experience to look back on and empathise with your future patients MH difficulties
I first read this poem when I was drunk and it made no sense however, once I’d sobered up I read it again and what a delightful piece of work this is, truly amazing, deeply gripping and quite simply, chef-d’oeuvre.