"Literary Lockdown" is a brand new project which aims to showcase pieces of creative writing from all ages and abilities in order to inspire and spread some positivity during difficult times experienced during lockdown. Over the course of February 2021, the Arts Team are sharing one piece of creative writing per day under the theme of four prompts which are as follows:

  • Week One: Home
  • Week Two: Ritual
  • Week Three: Community
  • Week Four: Gratitude

Day 22 | Outside Your Window' by Stacey Astill

"This poem was a goodbye to my Grandmother, Mary Barrett. She was a massive part of my life and an incredible inspiration to my writing. When I was growing up we spent a lot of time together and she encouraged me in many ways, but especially in my writing.
When she died I struggled to write poetry again. I wrote the start of this poem as I sat outside her window while she died of the virus, and didn't write anything else for seven months. The words left with her."
- Stacey Astill

Day 23 | 'Locked-in Garden' by Usha Kishore

"The poem, 'Locked-in Garden' was written last Spring, when the island was experiencing the first lockdown. Like many others, I also spent a long time in the garden. The garden became a sanctuary. This poem was inspired by nature all around me. Nature was a balm to the mind, which was troubled by the lockdown and the lack of human contact. The cyclical aspect of nature brought hope during the lockdown."
- Usha Kishore

Day 24 | 'Ballaglass' by Mike Bonner

"We are fortunate in such times to have so many beautiful open spaces that help contribute to maintaining our mental well-being. It's not just about fresh air, sun and exercise.
Ballaglass to me is more than just a glen, it's an inspirational place, a second home, always welcoming, old and wise, changing with the seasons. I think more people are opening up to just spending time in our glens and how it makes them feel."
- Mike Bonner

Day 25 | 'There's a thrill in the air!' by Andye Hall-Smith

"I have no background in arts at all. I was a scientist! However, I have always enjoyed writing and have been inspired to create a day-by-day account of my experience of this lock-down in rhyme and song."
- Andye Hall-Smith


Day 26 | 'Across the sea' by Chloe Shimmin

"I had left my friends, my job and my life in London behind when Covid- 19 hit last March. I returned to the Isle of Man, to be close to my family - as both my parents are vulnerable and shielding.
I miss my friends so much, and my life before Coronavirus, but I realised that these friends would stay friends no matter where we are in the world - which inspired this submission. I feel extremely grateful for the Isle of Man and to have my family close as well as having incredible friends across the sea. I reflected on how important it was to me to be thankful for the littlest things - for breath and to be alive in each given moment, and to have my family alive and safe.
I feel so much gratitude to have such great friends that I can rely on and depend upon in an extremely anxious and strange time for the world. When covid-19 really struck fear and worry into me, I found gratitude for what I had around me - for the roof over my head, for the calm of the Isle of Man."
- Chloe Shimmin

Day 27 | 'Africa' by Amanda Woodward

"The forced isolation and inability to travel this year made me think about where I would like to go first, once borders are open.
I want to return to Africa, where I grew up. I was born here but left the island at 5 months old for an idyllic childhood in the sun.
I was inspired to write this after sorting out the loft during lockdown. I found photo albums and other items that reminded me of my childhood home in Africa."
- Amanda Woodward

Day 28 | 'The Old Stone Steps' by Christine Ann Thomas

"During lockdown, my daughters daily exercise often took them down the Fisherman’s Path towards Garwick Beach. They discovered that the Fisherman’s Path was named due to its use by fishermen in the 18th century and thought that the old stone steps carved into the hillside were a particularly interesting feature of this trail – and thus inspired this poem."
- Christine