Catherine Clarke
@cathamclarke.bsky.social
Writer, academic. Professor & Director @chppc.bsky.social & @vch-home.bsky.social. Beach hut days. New book: #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems, Penguin Allen Lane, 04.09.25.
https://www.catherineclarke.info/ / https://www.history.ac.uk/people/catherine-clarke
https://www.catherineclarke.info/ / https://www.history.ac.uk/people/catherine-clarke
![I
1. I have dwelt long in the house of lockdown: I have enclosed myself in the habitation of Netflix and groaning.
2. They have set me my bounds which I shall not pass: I keep the statutes and observe the laws.
3. I entered into the supermarket, but it was barren: its plenty was turned into empty shelves, and there was no toilet paper in it.
4. Neither were there delivery slots by day nor by night: verily, not even from Ocado.
5. [2nd part] Deliver us from the wilderness of delivery: and deliver our deliveries unto us.
6. I am become a stranger unto the pub, and unto the office: even an alien unto Pizza Express.
7. The sun ariseth, and I go forth to work and to my labour: even in my pyjamas until the evening.
8. I am weary of Zoom, my throat is dry: it melteth away like wax as my broadband vanisheth.
9. Yet they gape upon me with their mouths and say: thy toddler sitteth lurking in the corner of the screen, and lo he imagineth mischief.
10. And thou, oh daughter of lockdown: thou shalt do thy phonics in exile.
11. Also thy literacy and numeracy work, and thy comprehension: yea verily, even thy fronted adverbials.
12. They have sprayed markers for my feet: they have set a place for me on the pavement outside Tesco Metro.
13. The unrighteous forget their social distancing: I swerve from their transgressions.
14. [2nd part] The people rebuke each other: and bear in their bosoms the rebukes of many people.
15. A mask hath covered my face and I wash my hands: neither have I found any hand sanitiser to comfort me.
16. The pestilence layeth siege against me: according to the cleanness of my hands shall I be recompensed.
II
17. Clap your hands, all ye neighbours: clap in the front gardens and on the doorsteps.
18. Make a thankful noise, for it is Thursday: clap your hands and bang the pots; bang the mighty pan from the stove, the frying pan from the draining board, and the little pan from under the sink.
(etc.)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:imn5zuyki7dqgziteqzfmlrw/bafkreih4ezx2wr2butausmxefj4jhq2j37fsbhdum5oxhi6k6l2zk6ly74@jpeg)
Not yet - thank you!
November 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Not yet - thank you!
Thank you so much xxx
November 28, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Thank you so much xxx
It was stunning!
November 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
It was stunning!
I'll definitely check out the bookshop, but may not have time for the Experience (though sounds br fun). I think last time I was here I went to see Bagpuss in a museum?
November 26, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I'll definitely check out the bookshop, but may not have time for the Experience (though sounds br fun). I think last time I was here I went to see Bagpuss in a museum?
😍 Better build that new bookshelf!
November 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
😍 Better build that new bookshelf!
That's lovely to see! Diolch yn fawr, Cardiff! (Lots of conversation with #Wales in the book, especially in the chapters on Agincourt and Adlestrop...) Thank you for sharing.
November 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM
That's lovely to see! Diolch yn fawr, Cardiff! (Lots of conversation with #Wales in the book, especially in the chapters on Agincourt and Adlestrop...) Thank you for sharing.
Yes, a big favourite - I have a print of the mural in my office at work.
November 23, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Yes, a big favourite - I have a print of the mural in my office at work.
That's extremely thoughtful and very kind (and how could I resist that pun?). If you really are thinking of giving them away then my son would be only too thrilled to give them a new home. Do please drop me a message here if you want to (but no pressure of course!). Thanks x
November 23, 2025 at 5:42 PM
That's extremely thoughtful and very kind (and how could I resist that pun?). If you really are thinking of giving them away then my son would be only too thrilled to give them a new home. Do please drop me a message here if you want to (but no pressure of course!). Thanks x