Read mum's moving poem about lockdown that has become a huge internet hit

Mum of two Gemma Peacock, of Shotton Colliery, wrote The Rainbow Children in just an hour after being inspired by all the pictures of rainbows in people’s windows while feeling a bit down one day.

In it she talks of the time ‘the world stood still’, about people’s fears, children learning at home, and also of the care people are showing for each other and brave hospital doctors and nurses.

Gemma’s verse has been shared more than 10,000 times on Facebook from Canada to Australia, and lots of people have recorded themselves reading it.

“I wrote it as a mam thinking of my two boys and I assume everyone is feeling the same,” she said.

“I put it on Facebook just expecting my family to like it and the next thing I know it just took off.”

Some of those who have recorded themselves reading The Rainbow Children and sharing it online include drama students from Spotlight Stage School in Birmingham, DJs on Smooth Radio North East and Macmillan Cancer volunteers in Lanarkshire.

Gemma, who is married to Lee, 35, who works for NSK in Peterlee, and is mum to Kaleb, 13, and Sonny, seven, added: “Lots of people have seen it and recorded videos with it which is wonderful.

“I have seen over 10,000 shares on Facebook on pages I am following but there are others who have shared it who have not tagged me in.

“It seems to have resonated with other parents who are in the house living in such unprecedented times.

“I doubt we will ever see anything like this again in our lifetime.”

Gemma, a regional facilities manager for Interserve looking after BBC buildings in the North, has written poetry as a hobby since she was a small child.

The Rainbow Children is the first she has written in around a year.

“It is just a little hobby, but it’s my release,” she added.

The Rainbow ChildrenThe history books will talk of now,That time the world stood still.When every family stayed at home,Waved out from windowsillsAt those they loved but could not hold,Because they loved them so.Yet, whilst they did they noticed all the flowers start to grow.The sun came out, they can recall,And windows, rainbows filled.They kicked a football in their yards,Until the night drew in.They walked each day but not too close,That time the world stood still.When people walked straight down the roads,That once the cars did fill.They saw that people became ill,They knew the world was scared.But whilst the world stood still they saw,How much the whole world cared.They clapped on Thursdays from their doors,They cheered for the brave.For people who would risk their lives,So others could be saved.The schools closed down, they missed their friends,They missed their teachers so.Their Mams and Dads helped with their work,They helped their minds to grow.The parents used to worry that,As schools were put on hold,Their children wouldn’t have the tools,They’d need as they grew old.But history books will talk of them,Now adults, fully grown.Those little boys and girls back then,The ones who stayed at home.They’ll tell you that they fixed this world,Of all they would fulfil.The RAINBOW children building dreams,They’d dreamed whilst time stood still.

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