The constant, relentless covid news 
seems to be slowing day by day 
I won’t miss those boring charts and graphs 
and all the data they display 

We have been waiting for so long
for a change of headlines in the news
The whole world is sick of reports 
about covid and pandemic blues 

Now we have a new health concern
it would seem there is no protection 
Difficult choices for some to make 
to heat or eat is the question 

Fuel prices are skyrocketing 
literally going through the roof   
Alternative options reduced 
no tariff out there is price hike proof 

We switch down our thermostats
a degree or two or three or four 
Turn all our appliances off 
not left on standby as before 

We wash when the machine is full 
only boil the water that we need 
We switch off lights in empty rooms 
set utensils to the lowest speed

We wonder where it will all end 
the worry causes much stress and strife 
No medicine, pills or vaccine 
can protect us from this threat to life

To ignore this imminent crisis  
is not an option we should take 
The decision to eat or heat
a choice that no-one should have to make