Doorsteps

We clapped
Like wind up monkeys with plastic drums
For the unsung
For those risking their life biting their tongue
Along with those who'd say leave them in the slums
Along with those who are amassing sums while we dwindle to none

And we clapped
Tears streaming like Netflix marathons
Hearts touched by everything but hands
Housing estates became rivers of Babylon
For 5 minutes in the evening we were at one
We remembered Albion

And we clapped
Alliances masked like the news buried in mass graves of live love laugh
Our fuel prices falling
Curtain twitching diagnosed as exercise
Was it the state's mind
Be kind or be labelled
See you next Thursday

And we clapped
With the face of a goose fat smothered potato
We who took our rage to Facebook
We who took our rage to the papers
We who took our rage to radio

And we clapped
As houses of entertainment became morgues
Zooming on a graveside the norm
Not knowing if our neighbours are timing our runs and walks
Hoping hope is buying a new set of clothes
Believing the most beautiful flowers will grow

And we clapped
Honouring heroes without hazmats
Finding favour for the feeble that we ignored weeks ago
Believing hugs are for the thugs, not social contracts
Knowing the only accounts held to are the one's overdrawn
Getting to know mute, block and unfriend a lot more
New day, new laws, new world new norms

And we clapped
Until our hands were sore from holding up our end of the bargain
Using life hacks to journal the uncertain
Knowing that kindness has to be a way of life to be a virtue
Wanting to know weren't alone, hurting

And we clapped
And we clapped
And we clapped