We hear, “Do not fear!” Though corona is here
It’s important to hold on to hope.
The lessons we adhere, Come from yesteryear
When we ask, “How did they cope?”
How in 1914, A war yet unseen
Engaged more than two nations.
The decade’s young blood, Spilled forth in the mud
Shaking the globe’s foundations.
For over four years, The world shed more tears
Until the fighting was through;
In the newfound peace, Surely death will cease,
Except now there was Spanish flu.
This flu had four waves, And filled way more graves
Than the years of the Great War;
While the 20s decade, Seemed like an upgrade
It ended how no one foresaw.
Stock prices degression, Saw a worldwide depression
29% were unemployed.
The nations arose, And fascism grows
Soldiers were again redeployed.
Humanity’s worst, Flowing out from the First
Saw the second war last for six years.
When it finally ended, some nations unfriended,
And Communism dominated our fears.
“We’re better off dead, than becoming a red”
Both sides feared potential invasion.
More fighting henceforth, ‘Tween South and North
The battlegrounds now were Asian.
The threat of the bomb, Gave way to dot-com
New tech became the new norm.
As we look to the past, How did the world last
From turmoil of 100 years
Humanity’s brilliance, Is birthed in resilience
As hope overcomes all fears.
So do not forget, it’s best not to fret
Smile and use plenty of soap!
Today’s scary mystery, will one day be history
The future asks, “How did they cope?”
By Dan Fredericks