Viruses are tiny packs
of genes with DNA
all coated in a protein shell
and that is how they stay.
They cannot grow or reproduce.
They couldn’t win a fight,
until they find themselves a host.
Become a parasite.
For when its shell (or capsid) sticks
upon the right cell wall,
it penetrates its way inside.
Invaders one and all.
Inside the cell its coat dissolves
releasing all its genes
that force the cell to make lots more
of virus’s machines.
And when that cell’s exhausted and
its functioning has ceased,
its walls break down so hundreds
of the virus are released.
And they in turn find other cells
to replicate their kind.
An alien dictatorship
with just themselves in mind!
We haven’t found a medicine
to stop them in their tracks.
But being vaccinated primes
our bodies for attacks.
some others make us ill.
And some don’t do much harm at all
and never ever will.
In fact we think that some are friends
that helped us on our way
to owning our complexities
of genes and DNA.
When tracing back genetic codes
through evolution’s tree,
it seems that we are eight percent
of virus – you and me!
https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/virus/390098
Hi Celia,I really enjoyed reading your poem. Such a fantastic explanation of what a virus is. I have printed it out and stuck it on the fridge door.Great poetry makes everything easier to understand. Happy Easter & best wishes, Louise
Thanks Louise 🙂
Celia, this poem is great! Well done on writing such a timely, informative and well-scanned poem.
Hi Kesta, I wrote it a number of years ago, as part of my own science curiosity, Delighted to find it a good home and share.
Wow, good one Celia! I learnt a lot!
Heather
Hi Heather, I think I was encouraged to write it by Hazel. Glad you found it helpful 🙂