In this striking poem by End Animal Slaughter contributor Dr Lynley Tulloch, she answers the question ‘Who is the virus?’.

 

Dr Lynley Tulloch is an animal rights activist and writer, and has a PhD in sustainability education and ecocentric philosophy.

 

I am Covid 

I am a viper in the nest 

A spiky and unwelcome guest.  

I am a storm that will always burst 

A looming cloud doing her worst. 

I am the hatred that you see 

The poison that exudes from me. 

I am a mirror to your soul 

When death is on a roll. 

I am a chameleon to the sorrow 

The mud in which I wallow. 

*

There is no difference 

Don’t you see 

In the entity that is You and Me

*

You are the viper in the nest 

Not allowing Earth to rest. 

You are the storm looming wild 

You steal from the future child. 

You are the hatred that you fear 

Acting as if you do not care. 

You are the mirror to your soul 

Death is your mortal goal. 

You are a chameleon to the assault 

Keeping your secrets in a vault.  

*

There is no difference  

Don’t you see 

In the entity that is You and Me

*

We are the virus that never leaves 

A spider that forever weaves. 

We are the flies caught in the webs 

Tearing life to shreds. 

We infiltrate Life’s very breath 

Growing on the cusp of death. 

Expanding ‘til there is no more 

Of life, of Earth, and of the shore. 

No more to share with the child 

Who yet still lives part in the wild.  

*

There is no difference 

Don’t you see 

In the entity that is You and Me.