Poems On A Year Of The Pandemic In Woburn: From Your Neighbor

WOBURN, MA — Ahead of the March 11 anniversary, Patch put a call out for stories from local residents about the past year. We want to hear about something that stood out to you, be it a memory about someone who died, a moment of hope you experienced or something you're looking forward to as vaccines bring the promise of a return to life before the virus.

In Woburn, resident Michael Maher shared two poems he wrote over the last year, reflecting on the virus's effects and celebrating those who helped us through.

Do you have a story you want to share? There are three ways you can do so:

• Email local editor Christopher Huffaker at chris.huffaker@patch.com
• Publish your story using the Patch Neighbor Post feature
• Leave us a note in the comment section below

Maher's poems:

GOOD-BYE 2020 & HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021

THE YEAR 2020 IS FINALLY DONE,
AND MOST WOULD AGREE, IT WASN’T MUCH FUN.
FROM SOMETIME IN MID-MARCH, THINGS DID UNWIND,
FOR THE GOOD-OLD DAYS, EACH ONE OF US PINED.

BUSINESSES WERE CLOSED, SCHOOLS & COLLEGES DID TOO,
THE PANDEMIC CAME AT US, RIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE.
MASKS AND GLOVES BECAME PART OF OUR DAILY ATTIRE,
FINANCES TOOK A HIT, THE FUTURE MONTHS SURE LOOKED DIRE.

THEN SPRING AND SUMMER GAVE SOME RELIEF,
BUT, AS ALWAYS, THOSE SEASONS ARE WAY TOO BRIEF.
WE COULD DINE OUTDOORS, IF THE RAIN HELD-OFF,
STILL FEELING UNEASY WHEN ANOTHER PATRON DID COUGH.

VACATIONS WERE CANCELLED, CRUISE SHIPS STAYED DOCKED,
AMUSEMENT AND WATER PARKS, THEIR GATES OFTEN LOCKED.
SPORTING EVENTS PLAYED ON, BUT TO EMPTY STANDS,
NO 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS OR LOUD PLAYING BANDS.

SPORTING EVENTS GRADUALLY CAME BACK IN SOME WAY,
NO FANS COULD ATTEND, SO PIPED APPLAUSES DID THEY PLAY.
AND MANY A PLAYER HAD TO SIT OUT A GAME,
IF A POSITIVE ‘TEST’ CAME BACK IN THEIR NAME.

GRADUATIONS WERE A CHALLENGE FOR SENIORS THIS YEAR,
MANY RECEIVING THEIR DIPLOMA, WHILE HOLDING BACK A TEAR.
WITH UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE RISE, JOBS WERE SURELY HARD TO FIND,
BUT NEEDING THE MONEY, THEY TOOK JOBS OF ANY KIND.

THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS KEPT US ON AN EVEN KEEL,
TO THEM OUR GRATITUDE IS SINCERE AND VERY REAL.
SOME SEMBLANCE OF ORDER THEY HELPED US ATTAIN,
IN SPITE OF THE PANDEMIC, THEY STAYED IN THE GAME.

PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTHCARE AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS ALL,
HELPED US THRU THE MONTHS; BROUGHT US INTO THE FALL.
THEN GOOD NEWS, SOME RELIEF HIT THE SCENE,
SCIENTISTS HAD COME UP WITH A COVID VACCINE.

HERE’S HOPING THAT THERE IS PLENTY TO GO AROUND, FAST,
THAT THIS COVID PANDEMIC WILL BECOME A THING OF THE PAST.
AND THAT IN 2021, WE CAN ALL GIVE A CHEER,
AS WE CELEBRATE A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

CELEBRATE NURSES WEEK
MAY 2020

This is the week to celebrate nurses,
They surely deserve it this year!
In additional to all the great help they give,
It has been doubled with the pandemic fear.

They are always available at the click of a button,
They answer the calls with a smile.
They administer medicine, assist to your needs,
Always willing to go that extra mile.

Sometimes a shot is what has been ordered,
Or an IV needs to be put into place.
Your comfort and care are top of their list,
No matter the circumstance of your case.

Nurses are with you during your hospital stay,
You see them each day of the week.
Easing your fears, perhaps wiping your tears,
Their job is not one for the meek.

Often in the middle of the patient & family,
Since visitors are strictly limited these days.
Knowing communication is part of the healing,
And ‘zoom video conferencing’, the newest craze.

So, nurses we salute you and all that you do,
Without you who knows where we’d be.
We thank you for all that you do every day,
And pray you stay safe and healthy.