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In the time of coronavirus

A collection of stories submitted by the public on their experience of living through the time of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives. Globally the scale of human suffering as a consequence of Covid-19 has been very great. Everywhere people are now reflecting on what this major and previously unimaginable global crisis means for us, as individuals, living in the 21st century. This forum offers a space for writers to reflect on their experience in Aotearoa and to consider questions such as: What might we need to remember and preserve? What has been my experience, my observations, how might my priorities have shifted, in a good way, as a result of the lockdowns? If you would like to contribute to the re-collective effort through any of the following life writing formats — journalling, nature writing, memoir, commentary, poetry, notes on work in progress during lockdown… — please make initial contact through my contact page. Next prepare a page of A4 writing, starting in the present moment and moving where you need to into the recent past and forwards from that point, with a title, brief bio, photo (optional) and your contribution will be added to the repository of important writings flowering in this space.

“Securing the memory of COVID-19 is the minimum we owe to each other in the aftermath of this catastrophe.”

Richard Horton, “Covid-19 and the Ethics of memory", The Lancet , 6 June 2020
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Rahui Bubble by Mary Elsmore-Neilson

19/1/2021

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​Mary’s dream, to live under a mountain and on an island, came true five-years ago, with her move to live under Old Koro, Turoa, on the western side of Maunga Ruapehu. Roaring fires after skiing and building snowmen, plus reading to the under-fives at the council/library rooms became a way of life, until, requested by Auckland grandchildren, she moved to live permanently on beautiful Motu Waiheke. Glimpses of cyanic skies and seas greet her daily as she conserves rainwater and makes compost. Surrounded by aroha amongst strong, creative, fun women, Mary has found her turangawaewae.


Our Onetangi gannet soars
drops down disappears in aquamarine
emerges silvery bounty clutched in beak
soars up free freedom of life.


A tern flashes twists streaks swiftly grabs the hapless tiddler
the gannet dives deep in pursuit retrieves his dinner
is joined by his bubble
aroha in nature's kikorangi.


They swoop, fly up over the car less road away
the driver slows his Mercedes
we wave as he angles his behemoth
belching fumes along the beach front.


No-one waits for the bus
now takeaways have gone
not a wrapper flaps
no lolling coffee to dispose.


Sand waves greet bare feet
I walk in the lengthening sunshine
a couple love each other prone embracing
the nearly cool light of bubble caresses.


A dog plays sits often when commanded
keen to please eyes fixed on alert
wagging tail free spirited
his shimmering family bubble fishes.


Dolphins visit, play with bubbles
our healing rahui bubble means they their family
are free free of man's machines
free of man's pollution.


Bubbles float, ancient Sumerians first to make soap
named bubbles gakkkul heart
maybe to celebrate secular waters
happiness or a beer.


Japanese make music from a single bubble
dropped into water we toast
champagne bubbles rise in our glass
drag the liquid to the top continually refreshing.


Women, men, children, their families
secure safe kereru piwakawaka tui kaka
in our bubbled quiet zone
spot Ted the Bear.
​

Our bubbles float embrace
a master stroke no matriarchal stroke
to tickle our fancy all ages to play the game
to save lives to keep us safe until... 

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    Authors

    All
    Abby Letteri
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    Anita Arlov
    Annabel Schuler
    Anna Fomison
    Brian Sorrell
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    Cath Koa Dunsford
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    Gregory O'Brien
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    Janine
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    John Adams
    Julie Ryan
    Keith Woodley
    Leigh Burrell
    Liz March
    Liz Wilson
    Lora Mountjoy
    Margo Knightbridge
    Marilyn Eales
    Mary Elsmore-Neilson
    Megan Hutching
    Michelanne Forster
    Paddy Richardson
    Pamela Gordon
    Pat Backley
    Philip Temple
    Piers Davies
    Rex McGregor
    Robyn Welsh
    Roger Horrocks
    Ruth Bonita
    Ruth Busch
    Sandy Plummer
    Silvia
    Siobhan Harvey
    Sue Berman
    Sue Fitchett
    Sylvia Nagl
    Tessa Duder
    Tony Eyre
    Trevor M Landers
    Yvonne Van Dongen

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Deborah thanks Rangimarie Kelly and Pikau Digtal for website design and artist Karen Jarvis for her image ‘Writers at the Devonport Library,’ (2023)
Writing Memoir
Defining Memoir
The Participatory Model
Tips on Writing and Posting a Story
​From Writing Course to Book Publication
Your Writing Space
​Writing on a Theme
Reviews of Memoir
Writers Stories
​
Events
​About
Testimonials
What People Say

Media
​Contact
Copyright © 2023 Deborah Shepard
  • Home
  • Books
    • The Writing Life >
      • Reviews & Interviews
    • Giving Yourself to Life
    • Her Life's Work
    • Translucence
    • Between The Lives
    • Reframing Women
    • Tributes
    • Personal Writings >
      • Conference Paper
      • Lockdown Journal
      • Travel Journal
      • Elegy for a friend
      • Christchurch - Post Quakes
      • On a residency
      • Deborah’s Love Letter to the Women’s Bookshop
      • Deborah's Q & A With Unity Books
  • Writing Memoir
    • Defining Memoir
    • The Participatory Model
    • Tips on Writing and Posting a Story
    • The Value of a Writing Class
    • From writing course to book publication
    • Your Writing Space
    • Writing on a Theme >
      • Window
      • Surviving a Crisis
    • Reviews of Memoir
  • Writers' stories
    • Writer's Stories
    • Covid-19 Stories
    • Writing Guidelines
    • From Being Mentored to Book Publication
  • Events
  • About
    • Testimonials
    • Media
  • What People Say
  • Contact