LOCKDOWN in BOOTLE  – Where at one time the locals called the highest spot ‘Killamanforhisgiro.’

Chinese takeaway closed; me no work, boss no pay.                                                                                                                                                                 No go out; council temporary jobs offer ‘doggy walking or cubing liver.’                                                                                                                                                             Eerie silence on streets, no-one go work; no change there, then.                                                                                                                             Unheard, sound chattering families taking children to school; Silence of The Prams.                                                                       Early hours, local hardcase stopped by police ‘Why you out?’ ‘Deliver drugs.’                                                                                Short the time lockdown, already shortage of dogpoo on pavements.                                                                                                                     Whole yesterday only sound outside; sparrow with wind.                                                                                                                 Comfort all not lost; bedding plants from garden; bloom three doors away.                                                                                 Sound of passing car driven by doctor; no knowledge car bereft hubcaps and satnav.                                                                              Tomorrow something different for dinner; no road-kill, fry-up of leftovers.                                                                                  From window sight of lone policeman; seeking police car left unattended only minutes ago.                                                                    Another lone figure, sneaks round shop; ‘What price toilet roll?’                                                                                                                               Tesco delivery left front doorstep; delivery gone before door open.                                                                                                                   Cost delivery from supermarket;   ‘  ‘ saw mask never saw gun.’                                                                                                                               Alternative delivery, leave on step, go away; me open door set fire delivery, kill all bugs.                                                                                                                        Three dogs in abandoned park; two happy, one not.                                                                                                                                                     Food-stained Mc Donald’s container drifts across pavement; last Sunday meal for four.                                                                       Community shop scheme, hang pillowcase, grocery list, money, from front window;                                                                                                                       so far, three pillowcases, £30, no long have.                                                                                                                                                                                  Book ‘Recent Burial of King,’ killed all Irishmen of court; fed-up being called ‘Richard the Turd.’                                                         Wednesday, old lady at number 26 look anxious from widow; wonder brown or black bin collection day?                                                                                                                                                                                                       Perhaps dress in hurry, woman from next door call with groceries; bra pinned tightly to nose.                                                           Youth peddles by on expensive bike; something to sell back owner in fullness of time.                                                                                Present events, young lady number 42 lowers price along with everything else.                                                                                                              Council deliver each household, free bottle single malt; wake and adjust pillows.                                                                                                   Come daylight, padlock still on garden shed; no door, tools, just padlock.                                                                                                                             Given up has milk from fridge, 90 days; far too long contemplate.                                                                                                        Meat pie for dinner tonight; type wouldn’t give dog.                                                                                                                                         Continuous TV warnings virus; interrupted weather forecast Tibet.                                                                                                                                             Spain pay 25 billion dollars to China for protection masks, gowns, where virus came from; me confused.                                                                                                             No gel, soap, toothpaste, washing-up liquid or virus; ill with alternative bug, all same.                                                                                                                                   ‘Man who use both side toilet roll, paper last twice as long’; not funny, wife said.                                                                                        Knowledge people Bootle can take it; not nailed down surely will.                                                                                                                          Bootle, no fear or gloom; just help others as usual, guts and smile behind facemask.