Marilyn Humbert
Lockdown Monotony
in the still morning eucalypt leaves dangle aimlessly isolation days drag on yet spring draws near
First day of September 2021 Greater Sydney was in the 10th week of lockdown. Two weeks ago Regional NSW was placed under the same restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-Delta until 80% of New South Wales is double vaccinated. Sometime in November, the experts tell us.
To keep safe, we aren’t allowed to leave our local area. We have mastered buying groceries and other goods online.
Zoom dates with my family… kisses smudge the screen too precious to wipe away afternoon calls down a crackling line mum’s voice fades a little more
My cupboards are tidy and decluttered from previous lockdowns. My husband has the garden weeded and the lawns trimmed.
I make an extra effort to write each day, do some baking to pass the time.
first flush azalea’s blood-red flowers thankful for all the small things and a backyard surprise
Note: “in the still morning” tanka first published in Bamboo Hut No. 3, 2021
About the Author
Marilyn Humbert lives in the Northern suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Her tanka and haiku appear in international and Australian journals, anthologies, and online. Her free-verse poems have been awarded prizes in competitions, published online, and in anthologies.