Letter: Oldies of Sheffield

Wendy Loker Illing of Ballito has penned a poem:

A group of older ladies I know.

Decided, definitely, their response would be, “No.”

They would not stop their early morning swim in the sea.

Not for anyone. Absolutely not. Even in Lockdown 3.

So, early each morning, out of their beds they would creep.

While most everyone else was still fast asleep.

On with their costumes. On with their caps.

Like naughty children. Towels round their necks like wraps. Then…. Looking to the left…. and looking to the right.

Watching for men in their uniforms. Badges bright.

They’d cross the road, as fast as they could.

Duck into the bushes, get to the path quickly, they would.

Now, remember, you were not allowed to walk on the sand.

Unless you held a fishing rod in your hand.

Preposterous. Ridiculous. They spoke as one voice.

Try to stop us. Sorry. This is our choice.

Then into the beautiful sea they all would go.

No one to stop them. Definitely. No.

And they’d simply have the time of their lives.

Through the waves as one they all would dive.

They’d laugh together, at the fun and the pleasure.

Of simply being in the water, all swimming together.

And they’d frolic in the beautiful waves in the sea.

Just exactly as it is supposed to be.

One of them looked up one day, oh horrors, to see.

  A few uniformed men walking close to a tree.

With dogs on leashes they made their way along.

Then went the other way…All burst into laughter and song.

Well done, you brave ladies, I proudly say.

For taking the law into your own hands, this way.

For we all know the virus would not be in the sea.

In fact, it’s probably one of the safest places to be.

So, now you can go swim whenever you like.

You won’t need to keep looking to the left or the right.

It won’t be as exciting as it used to be, I know.

But I have to say – “Very well done” and “Go, Ladies, Go.”