Letters from the Homefront: ‘Waiting 2020′

The following “Letters from the Homefront” account is part of our new initiative, Collecting in Quarantine. Inspired by the poignant letters in the Maryland Historical Society collection documenting past adversities from the Spanish flu of 1918, to the Annapolis yellow fever epidemics of 1793 and 1800, MdHS is calling on Marylanders to send their personal stories of how the pandemic is impacting their lives.

March 31, 2020 – On this day, Mitchell from Woodbine writes:

Nothing seems exciting or fun;

 mom is telling me to go for a run.

 I could on a nice day play in the sun;

 but that uses energy of which I have none.

You could try an interest, entertain, or converse;

 but I’d rather sleep and let the time disperse.

 Where has my life gone so bored I could cry;

 just sitting waiting Idly bye.

 Given time life will return;

 through even still I hear it yearn.

Bored and madness I cannot discern;

joy through perseverance I will earn.

The right to laugh, joke and play;

I will try to find happiness in the next day.

Please note: The views, information, and opinions expressed and shared on the underbelly through the Collecting in Quarantine project do not necessarily represent those of the Maryland Historical Society. Our staff does not verify for accuracy the information contained within these submissions. We also do not edit the content beyond minor modifications for formatting or to remove personally identifying information, if applicable. Just like the historic letters in our collection, each letter presents the writer’s own perspective. The primary purpose of this series, with the permission of contributors, is to share and collect the experiences of Marylanders living through the COVID-19 crisis at this moment in time.

To learn more about the Collecting in Quarantine project and how to share a story of your own, click here.