The simple holiday check list
is not what it used to be
insurance, flight tickets, passports
sun cream and travel money 

I used to find it simple
to prepare for my holiday 
pick out my dream destination 
pack up and be on my way

During these testing times 
this choice could cost you dear 
a country going on the red list 
is now every tourists fear 

Given only three days notice 
it may come as a big shock
to find you need to return home 
in a race against the clock

The pandemic travel check list 
is now red, amber and green
choose the wrong destination 
and face ten days in quarantine 

You could find yourself swapping 
your dream holiday on the beach
for ten days in isolation 
costing two thousand pounds each

The joy of taking a holiday
now replaced with dread and fear
I think I will save ticking off my list 
until sometime next year