by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Fright

Photo by call-me-fred from Unsplash

Fright

Masked monsters and ghouls

brought no fear last Halloween…

Now, fear grips us all!

Now it’s the unmasked

we fear at the food market…

Covid’s stalking us!

Oooooooooh! wear your mask in public!

Eeeeeeek! Keep six feet betweeeeen us!

Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

For a nostalgic Halloween poem read, “Ghosts of Halloweens Past/Ghosts of Halloween Present” if you missed it.

Scary statistic: a recent study found that 20% of grocery store clerks have undiagnosed Covid19 without symptoms and are capable of spreading the disease.

64 Comments

  2. Such a beautiful poem Cheryl 💖 a Happy Halloween to you, even though this year the haunting is from different quarters – just as you mentioned.
    The last two lines are so emotion filled to the brim, it brought me my first laughter of the day. Sadly, not everyone reacts like that outside, we have many unmasked monsters going around here.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. Sadly, Deb, we have the foolish and arrogant few at Walmart. The last time I was there, there was some problem at the checkouts and we were waiting in long lines. Some fool was walking around too close to people in line…no mask. There were a couple of others too. I asked my checkout person to relay the message that I thought they should require masks to be worn. She confided that they were not supposed to talk about it, but because Florida doesn’t require masks, they couldn’t. I then told her that I would be going to Publix from now on, where they do require masks in the store. I am scared there too. We buy most things through pickup.

      My doctor is fairly certain that I already had undiagnosed Covid 19 in April and May..no fever or breathing symptoms. I had the gastrointestinal version with complications of kidney infection, ovarian cysts, and diverticulitis. I was in the hospital on intravenous antibiotics for four days… 2 months total on antibiotics. Just now completely returning to a normal diet. The bad thing is, the immunity lasts only about 3 months, so I could get sick again!

      I am grateful that I didn’t die since I am in a high-risk age group with heart disease and diabetes (in remission). I need to find a new cardiologist (We moved.) since I am afraid I may have heart and kidney damage. Robert was also sick for about a week and is also having some heart symptoms.

      Thank you for your kind comments. I am glad you liked the poem, and I am grateful for your support.

      This disease is no joke! Stay safe and be happy! Cheryl

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      1. Oh my god! I am so truely sorry for the awful ill health you and Robert suffered through this disease Cheryl, I had no idea, and I pray my utmost that you both regain complete better health as soon a possible. And yet, you are so brave to venture on with life again.

        My parents are in the same age group and I know what risks and scares they go through. The medical facilities here don’t compare to your country and the population is overwhelming unruly. My mother recovered from cancer treatment, her immunity is totally compromised through the harsh treatment and has to stay in near isolation inside the house these days. My father used to walk for more than an hour every morning for the last forty years. He refused to walk inside the apartment grounds, he used to mention that he doesn’t feel like walking if not in open roads where he can take a different road everyday. And now he has is locked up in the house ever since this started, and climbs up and down the stairs inside the house to compensate, and it has been very depressing to see him such.

        It is shocking though that Florida has no law on masks, sometimes freedom takes a new meaning altogether, and not always good. Here no shop would provide entry without a mask.

        I again wish a complete recovery to you both Cheryl, and salute you on your spirit inspite of the ill health you suffered 💖

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Deb, I am so sorry about your parents. It sounds miserable for them! We at least live in a woodsy area and can go for a walk when the weather is nice. Are you and your parents able to visit each other? I hope so. We don’t have family nearby but communicate with family members through emails and phone calls. When covid is behind us, maybe some of them will come to visit.

        I agree that masks should be mandatory in every public space. That is the case in many states, but in Florida, a few reckless people are free to make the rest of us sick!

        Don’t be concerned about me. I am gradually returning to normal and am very happy with my life. I have even beaten Robert at Scrabble a few times lately! 🙂 Take care! Cheryl

        Liked by 1 person

      3. My parents were staying with my brother when this happened and I haven’t been able to visit them since. Initially travel sanctions were there, and as they stay very far (3000 km) we don’t want to risk traveling and being a carrier to them, so we see each other through video calls. Fortunately they have been in good health otherwise.
        Great to know that you are getting to normal 💖, and are triumphing in Scrabble. Board games have been a saviour in this time, we are playing carrom board and ludo. Do you know about these games Cheryl 😀?

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Ironic, isn’t it, Ashok? If you walked into a bank last year in a getup like that, they’d have called the police! 🙂 Thank you for the amusing comment. I needed a chuckle!

      I had an illness in April and May that my doctor thinks was undiagnosed Covid 19. I didn’t have the then-known symptoms. Since immunity lasts only about 3 months, I could catch it again. Yes, I’m scared. Take care! ❤ Cheryl

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Take care my friend but please don’t be scared. Fear is a bigger pandemic.

        I too had very severe flu in February with all the symptoms of Covid. Who know what is what. Take common sense precautions but we need to have more Faith

        Stay safe. Stay blessed Cheryl.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Ashok, My doctor said he and his wife had a similar experience to yours in February. I think the number of cases is very under-reported. Are you well now? I am just about back to normal.

      I don’t want to give the impression that I live in fear, but I will try to go only to Publix, where masks are required, from now on. I had an experience in Walmart recently where an unmasked guy was walking around close to people in the long checkout line trying to scare them. The store did nothing about it because masks are not required in Florida.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Yes, I read about your Walmart experience in a comment. Must take due care.

        Mine had lasted 3-4 days only. Homeopathic medicine works very well with me.

        I go out only if necessary. Yet to go to any malls 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell Cheryl, I thought you went quiet 😦

    Pray you guys get on top of it soon, only those working directly with it wear masks here … told us there weren’t enough to go around. But we are on top of it for now with restrictions easing.

    Great poem for the current trend!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Kate. I am glad things are getting better in Australia. In the US, we are going into colder weather and cases are rising faster than ever in many places. South Florida doesn’t get too cold, so maybe it won’t be so bad here. There were mask shortages here early on. My niece ordered cloth masks online and shared them with the rest of the family.

      Thank you for your kind comment. I am glad you liked the poem. ❤ All the best, Cheryl

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Niraj, so glad you got a laugh from the poem. ❤ As my mother used to say, "You might as well laugh as cry!" I will check out your site. If you want to read more of my work, there is an archives button at the top of the menu. 🙂
      All the best!

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  26. Hamish. thank you for sharing your perspective. I wish people would wear a mask. I was in a store today where there was a sign in the window requiring masks, and I felt very threatened by a guy without a mask. People are dying and some still believe it’s all a hoax. Incredible! Last I heard, new Zealand had low infection rates. Is that still the case? Take care! ❤

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