OYSTERHOOD is reclusiveness or solitude, or an overwhelming desire to stay at home.

— @HaggardHawks

Mood of the day, best expressed by Salieri.

Sleep did come and carried me through the night despite yesterday’s elevated anxiety levels. It took me a long time to open my eyes in the morning, to get up, make coffee. Sometimes, even a deep sleep is not exactly restful.

Where to go for beauty and serenity? Poetry. I have been indulging again in “Poetry for the people.” This morning, another upcoming collection from uHlanga Press. Will reveal more when it is officially announced. For now, I can say that poetry readers are in for a poetic treat: another tender, wise volume of deeply moving poetry.

Work continued for the rest of the day, apart from a sunny walk in my neighbourhood and a Skype chat with my Mom and Krystian.

I have never seen a mousebird around my house, but there are other wonders everywhere.

Setting the midday sky on fire.

The SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 numbers around the world are staggering. And locally, we have recorded a new high of 572 deaths in a twenty-four hour cycle.

And then there was The Address. Public schools closing. Acknowledgement of corruption. The greatest failures of the last twenty-six years in a nutshell. How about a ten billion rand bailout for public schools? That would be around R400 000 per school, if divided equally. Can you imagine the upgrades and possibilities?

Corruption … power, greed, vileness. I do not know how anyone stealing from emergency relief funds can live with themselves.

It is impossible not to despair. I need a drink!

When in doubt: read poetry, walk, eat sushi. Simple pleasures are all around. If only we could all live in a system that delivers the basics and occasional little luxuries – whatever they may be to an individual – to all.

Lockdown Nigiri from FYN Restaurant.

The above was delivered straight to my gate just in time for dinner, a treat from my love.

Be kind. Stay at home. Wear a mask everywhere else.

“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”

— NICD