Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
April 27, 2026

For Better, For Worse

Banqobile Virginia Dakamela, a poet from Zimbabwe, shares with us her words during these times of lockdown ...

For better, for worse

For better, for worse

Sanitize, Maintain a social distance, Sneeze into your elbow
Did anyone stop to think
Of that man working in the far off lands?
Lockdown!
He is holding a hammer
The last nail needs to be hit
He is holding a syringe
He can't put it down
Lockdown! Final warning
Mummy where is daddy?
Quiet Princess, he will be here soon!
Inwardly she is conflicted
What if he has the virus?
Am I prepared to die with him?
Somebody is there a law for spouses?
He is knocking on the door
Stand back! She says
Open up darling, I missed you
I have to sanitize you
Did you really miss me?
I missed you but please I need to call help line
I need a home test kit
My husband might have Covid-19
Darling, can I get in
Daddy is home, mummy
Stay back
Honey you said for better, for worse
Let me in
Put on the mask, Wash your hands, Remove your clothes
Wait, you coughed
Are you scared I will infect you?
But you said for better, for worse






Article © Banqobile Virginia Dakamela. All rights reserved.
Published in the June 29, 2020 issue .
Image(s) are public domain.
More poetry → Full issue →
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Reader Comments
1 Reader Comment
Harris
07/03/2020
07:55:17 PM
Very interesting poem, the fear comes through clearly. How times have changed, so suddenly.
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