The Lady in White (2022 NaPoWriMo #25)

With a little digging I found another series of poetry prompts being provided by NaPoWriMo – 30 Poems in 30 Days. I’m starting in the middle and I’ll see how it goes as to whether I work to catch-up with the prior prompts or just carry on forward.

Prompt 25

Write a poem that recounts a dream or vision of a woman who represents of reflects the area in which you live.

NaPoWriMo.net

Wow! A very specific prompt. Ok, carrying on.

The Lady in White

She approached the gate gowned in white,
Covered head to toe and with blue tape securing every opening,
Double-masked and face shielded,
With gifts.

Yesterday’s gifts were antibody test strips, two for each of us to poke our nose and await anxiously for just one line.

Today’s gifts were a bundle of vegetables – enough for our family of five for at least a few days.

There was a day she came bearing a whole chicken, which we cooked into a soup.

Each time she arrives calling out our house number “150 Hao! 150 Hao! 150 Hao”, her voice strong despite being muffled by the masks.

Each time we say “Xie Xie! Xinkule.” — thanking her for her hard work.

Then she moves on yelling the next house number, and we wait for her next visit.

This poem chronicles my families current experience during Shanghai’s Covid quarantine. We’ve been locked down to our homes for about five weeks now. The government provides some food (delivered by the “lady in white”. But it’s not enough and there is an “Underground Railroad” for getting additional food and supplies. We are fine, but not everyone is ok and it’s a sad and difficult time for many.

Be well,

Monty

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