WRITER Sue Gerrard is celebrating the publication of her new book Poems from the Pandemic following the unique time from the first lockdown through to the easing of restrictions.

Sue, from North Road, has published the poetry collection which encompasses the unprecedented times we have been through with the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

Sue said: "Life in lockdown has been incredibly challenging for all of us and writing has provided comfort to many people both as a way of expressing their feelings and using their extra time productively and so it was the case with me.’

"For most people 2020 was the strangest of years’ says Sue, who has published eleven collections of poetry, ‘when on the stroke of midnight, New Year’s Eve we welcomed in the year, little did we know what was waiting for us as the year progressed. New words were added to our vocabulary such as COVID-19, lateral flow tests and an old word was resurrected, that of pandemic.’

Sue added: "During the time in lockdown, I felt I wanted to keep a record of this strange and historic time and rather than keep a diary I decided to write a collection of poems, which have now been published in a book.

"I was further inspired to do this when I received a phone call from Three Counties Radio who are based in Dunstable and cover Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. They asked if I would read and comment on a poem by a lady who was suffering from long covid after being in a coma for months. She had written a poem about her dreadful ordeal. I was given the opportunity to speak to this lady, whose beautiful poem brought home to me the horror of the illness. She was incredibly brave and I knew I had to write this collection.’

"The book reflects the many aspects of lockdown, the emotions and the thoughts some of which we share, some that are very personal to us. As I wrote each poem, I was mindful of those who have suffered and those who are still suffering through this difficult time and those who have made our lives safer, more bearable, and more enjoyable."

"The book is written in the order of events starting with the sudden appearance of Covid, clapping on doorsteps for key workers, walks in the park and appreciation of nature, the uncertainty about what the future would hold, springtime in the pandemic and the two minutes silence of remembrance.

"The last poem in the book Where the Wildflowers Grow reflects the universal hope we share, that we can start living our lives to the full again."

This collection, although not illustrated, is a companion collection to Poems from the Cottage, which was published by Pear Tree Press, Auckland, New Zealand, which is now in the Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand’s National Library.

Sue added: ‘This has been a very emotional collection to write but I feel I have recorded a unique time in our history and I hope that people will enjoy reading the poems."

There will be a book signing at Momo’s, 64-68 Westfield Street, St. Helens on Saturday, August, 21 from 11am to 2.30pm, where the book will be on sale..

Further details of Poems from the Pandemic, priced £8 are available via Sue’s website: suegerrard.com