There have been many, many limitations to everyday life during the Covid pandemic. The isolation, the reduced services, the shutting down of shared spaces. But one limitation that doesn’t get discussed so much is the limitation on being able to protest. Here our Necklace of Stars writer Jo makes a protest against invisibility. This is one of a series of pieces by Jo that explore ideas of rebellion. By writing and sharing them, the protest has happened – in you the reader’s mind!
August 1st, the big day is finally here. She peers into the mirror asking
the reflection if they are sure they really want to do this? The reflection
answers “Yes and don’t be chicken.”
The door opens, a deep breath taken and with the first step a new phase
commences. Its 20 weeks since her last venture out and everything
even more beautiful than before.
She reaches her destination and sees a lengthy queue and waits
patiently to enter the supermarket. Her turn comes; she takes the cart
and walks through the entrance, her heart pounding. Her inner self is
telling her “do it” “go on do it” and with the final push she throws herself
on the floor and starts to scream and yell.
Workers and fellow shoppers watch but no one knows what to do. The
yelling continues, her hands and feet banging the floor. The manager
arrives and enquires what the matter is and offers help. She replies
“Nothing, I just wanted to be noticed by someone, the last 20 weeks I
have been forgotten and I just wanted to be noticed”. She stands
up and makes her way to the checkout, feeling so much better knowing
she has returned to the outside world and made an entrance no one will
forget at Tesco’s.
Jo
Today’s blog comentary was written by Philip Davenport, arthur+martha. The short story Tantrum at Tesco’s is by Jo, from her series of written rebellions.
A Necklace of Stars, is supported by Arts Council England, Arts Derbyshire, DCC Public Health and Derbyshire County Council Home Library Service.
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