Category: Writing

A Bit of Beethoven

~ Ruth ~ 4 Comments

Yesterday Ritu at But I Smile Anyway posted a re-worked song which she not only provided new lyrics for but actually recorded and sang herself – so I thought I might have a go at writing new lyrics for something, too. I had initally thought of ‘My Sharona’ by the Knack but a quick search online shows me someone has beaten me to it, so sadly no-go with that one.

But I know lots of people have been playing Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ together-while-apart so I thought with a little bit of artistic licence I might be able to write some new lyrics to that, suitable for our current situation. To be honest no amount of pep-talk could convince me to record it myself, but its a well-known tune most people will know…

So here we are… my take on a bit of 19th Century Beethoven adapted for our 21st Century Covid-19 crisis… It helps if you sing it out loud and with passion, rather than just read it… enjoy! 🙂

Covid-19, world pandemic

Virus of corona strain

Mass infection, death toll rising

When will life feel safe again?

Watch as arrogant denials­­­

Let real symptoms spread unchecked

Keep it hidden, not forever

Truth will out to bad effect

Watch for new dry cough and fever

Wash our hands religiously

Shop with prudence and compassion

Act as one community

‘Stay at home’ our national chorus

Social distancing in place

Life in lockdown, isolation

Humbling of the human race

Learn the lesson nature brings us

Treat our planet with respect

Halt our years of selfish damage

Generations of neglect

Let the world heal unpolluted

Let us all draw precious breath

Let the joy of inspiration

Save us from the brink of death

Fandango’s One Word Challenge: Amount

Going Viral…

~ Ruth ~ 4 Comments 
Going Viral…
Coronavirus takes us to the brink
Of madness as we panic-buy in fear
Like animals we act on base instinct
Protect the family we hold so dear
Across the globe the virus does its worst
Infection spreads with total disregard
As all humanity feels sorely cursed
The death toll rises, hits whole countries hard
First plagues of locusts, now this pestilence
With biblical proportions swarms the land
Man’s arrogance, so selfish, so immense
Reduced to nought by nature’s sweeping hand
With no immunity, the human race
Must meet this deadly virus, face to face…

Emotional Oblivion

~ Ruth ~ 2 Comments 
Emotional Oblivion…

If only I could capture how it feels
Describe destructive passions as they rise
Record their tightening grip with strength so real
Write down in words my silent, strangled cries.

Such visceral sensations surge and fall
Emotion sickness, writhing hard and fast
Internally I cannot think at all
So overwhelmed by feelings, urgent, vast…

But then the raging storm inside runs still
And empty spirit, hollowed out, bereft
Of every sense and feeling, waits until
A germ of hope can heal whatever’s left.

For now with heavy heart and soulless sigh
Emotional oblivion creeps by…

Terrible Poetry Contest

~ Ruth ~ 4 Comments

I haven’t written any poetry for ages, but Chelsea Owens is holding a Weekly Terrible Poetry Contest, and this week’s topic is ‘Love’… So I thought I’d have a bash, just for fun – here goes… Ahem…

Sweet Ambivalence…

I love milk chocolate, smooth and creamy thick

Could eat a houseful, yummy brick by brick

Till gorged by cocoa, melty-warm and slick  

Pure liquefied indulgence makes me sick…

Thank you for joining me on my inaugural journey into bad taste poetry 🙂