What do you think?
Rate this book
Lockdown Innit: Poems About Absurdity
Lockdown Innit is a poetry collection of eighteen poems about life’s absurdities and frustrations during lockdown. Wherever you live in this world, this is for you. Expect humour, a dollop of banter and ridiculous rants here and there. Amongst other delights, witness the strange antics of a swan posing by a bin and two statuesque horses appearing like arc deco pieces in a field. Check out the violin player on a tightrope, or the cheeky unmentionables wafting in the lockdown breeze!
- GenresPoetry
41 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2020
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Mallon
18 books230 followersI am an author who has been blogging for many moons at my lovely blog home: https://mjmallon.com. My interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. I write YA Fantasy/Paranormal novels, ghost/horror short stories and middle grade fiction as well as micropoetry - haiku and tanka. I love to read and have written over 100 reviews: https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-z-o...
My alter ego is MJ - Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheros! I was born on the 17th of November in Lion City: Singapore, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit. I grew up in a mountainous court in the Peak District in Hong Kong.
As a teenager I travelled to many far-flung destinations. It's rumoured that I now live in the Venice of Cambridge, with my six foot hunk of a Rock God husband. My two enchanted daughters often return to visit me with a cheery smile.
When I’m not writing, I eat exotic delicacies while belly dancing, or surf to the far reaches of the moon. To chill out, I practise Tai Chi. If the mood takes me I snorkel with mermaids, or sign up for idyllic holidays with the Chinese Unicorn, whose magnificent voice sings like a thousand wind chimes.
My alter ego is MJ - Mary Jane from Spiderman. I love superheros! I was born on the 17th of November in Lion City: Singapore, (a passionate Scorpio, with the Chinese Zodiac sign a lucky rabbit. I grew up in a mountainous court in the Peak District in Hong Kong.
As a teenager I travelled to many far-flung destinations. It's rumoured that I now live in the Venice of Cambridge, with my six foot hunk of a Rock God husband. My two enchanted daughters often return to visit me with a cheery smile.
When I’m not writing, I eat exotic delicacies while belly dancing, or surf to the far reaches of the moon. To chill out, I practise Tai Chi. If the mood takes me I snorkel with mermaids, or sign up for idyllic holidays with the Chinese Unicorn, whose magnificent voice sings like a thousand wind chimes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 28, 2021
A cute collection of poems where some like a little library made me long for one. Danger to the pedestrians reminded me why I don’t go out. Some people are just rude and have no civic sense. Road rage is another one that is so relevant. I remembered being the brunt of one.
Author Marjorie Mallon’s keen sense of observation came to play in the way the poems were penned. Different emotions like fear, anger, longing, desire, humor were evoked while reading them. I am not a connoisseur of poems as I feel they are too personal to be judged or rated. But these were easy to understand.
The words also showed how people behaved during these tough times. It is the truth that some have still not learned after losing so many lives across the world. Many in the book were hard-hitting, some were humorous, and the best ones were, where the spoke of her love for her daughters through her words. Hope sailed through in them.
Then the author sneaked in a wispy one longing to be like the cat, dreaming peacefully of normal times. A perfect way to end the book.
All in all, at 35+ pages, the poems were eclectic and would touch everyone who has survived this pandemic.
Author Marjorie Mallon’s keen sense of observation came to play in the way the poems were penned. Different emotions like fear, anger, longing, desire, humor were evoked while reading them. I am not a connoisseur of poems as I feel they are too personal to be judged or rated. But these were easy to understand.
The words also showed how people behaved during these tough times. It is the truth that some have still not learned after losing so many lives across the world. Many in the book were hard-hitting, some were humorous, and the best ones were, where the spoke of her love for her daughters through her words. Hope sailed through in them.
Then the author sneaked in a wispy one longing to be like the cat, dreaming peacefully of normal times. A perfect way to end the book.
All in all, at 35+ pages, the poems were eclectic and would touch everyone who has survived this pandemic.
April 9, 2021
“Lockdown Innit” is a glimpse into the pandemic through poetry. There were various subjects and types of poetry, including going to the supermarket, driving, cancer, and books. I laughed when reading “SuperMarket Bozos,” it reminded me of my feisty grandmother. “ROAD RAGE DURING COVID-19” is an all too often occurrence, even during the last year. While “Little Library” offered a picture of something one could do during the stay-at-home orders, read. The collection ended with “THIS author longs for Pets,” and I admit jumping into a cat’s dream might be that perfect escape from the heaviness of the epidemic. This is a book I’d like to go back and read ten years from now as a reminder of this time in history because it gives a unique perspective into strange times.
March 6, 2021
This is Mallon's second book where she shares her views, observations and incidents she's endured dealing with the Covid lockdown. Mallon shares her thoughts and worries and experiences through poetic prose, and free verse writing in this book, documenting a range of emotions from fear to humor.
The author gives us a glimpse of her views from taking in the mundane and everyday happenings in life, to a few scares of her own, expressed from her point of experience. She shares stories about her daughters and elaborates on some of the ideas they had to stay entertained, to an ode to her mum and the silly shenanigans that go on in supermarkets - "Shopping Bozos", demonstrating some of the inconsiderate behaviors of some people during a pandemic.
This is an entertaining documented journey through the author's eyes of circumstances and life during the Covid lockdowns. Memorabilia for the future - lest we forget.
The author gives us a glimpse of her views from taking in the mundane and everyday happenings in life, to a few scares of her own, expressed from her point of experience. She shares stories about her daughters and elaborates on some of the ideas they had to stay entertained, to an ode to her mum and the silly shenanigans that go on in supermarkets - "Shopping Bozos", demonstrating some of the inconsiderate behaviors of some people during a pandemic.
This is an entertaining documented journey through the author's eyes of circumstances and life during the Covid lockdowns. Memorabilia for the future - lest we forget.
April 15, 2021
“Lockdown Innit – Poems About Absurdity” is a collection of poetry about the third wave of lockdowns in the U.K. because of the Corona Virus pandemic. Seen through the eyes of poet and author M. J. Mallon, not everything is as it seems, and we should take nothing for granted.
The Coronavirus has brought much of the U.K. and Europe to their knees, while here in the U. S. they’ve taken a more lackadaisical approach to the pandemic. Mallon shares the trials and tribulations of her life in lockdown through her poetry.
Her poem, “The Face Mask Rolls” left me with the haunting image of a discarded mask rolling down the road, clearly, a metaphor for the despair this virus has wracked upon humanity.
This is a short, poignant collection that will forever remind us of a time when no one had control over their lives. A must-read!
Many thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of this book.
The Coronavirus has brought much of the U.K. and Europe to their knees, while here in the U. S. they’ve taken a more lackadaisical approach to the pandemic. Mallon shares the trials and tribulations of her life in lockdown through her poetry.
Her poem, “The Face Mask Rolls” left me with the haunting image of a discarded mask rolling down the road, clearly, a metaphor for the despair this virus has wracked upon humanity.
This is a short, poignant collection that will forever remind us of a time when no one had control over their lives. A must-read!
Many thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of this book.
March 15, 2021
Lockdown innit is a wonderful collection of predominantly free verse poetry on all kinds of themes experienced during the author’s third lockdown. I am sure many of the pieces will resonate with readers who have also experienced humanities frustrating behaviours during this pandemic.
The discarded masks rolling down the roads and the impact of this on wildlife in the future when landfills are filled, and oceans invariably get full of them is certainly something that has crossed my mind. (Simply cutting off the side strings from the masks before throwing disposable ones away could make a big difference so they don’t get tangled on wildlife!) I’ve also had my fair share of dealing with drivers filled with road rage, presumably from the stress!
The varied mood and tone of the pieces is equally matched with the lovely presentation and wonderful splashes of humour. Emotive and descriptive language is employed to engage our senses and of course my favourite piece is probably ‘This Face.’ Making this a highly enjoyable collection and one I have no doubt in recommending!
Author Sarah Northwood
The discarded masks rolling down the roads and the impact of this on wildlife in the future when landfills are filled, and oceans invariably get full of them is certainly something that has crossed my mind. (Simply cutting off the side strings from the masks before throwing disposable ones away could make a big difference so they don’t get tangled on wildlife!) I’ve also had my fair share of dealing with drivers filled with road rage, presumably from the stress!
The varied mood and tone of the pieces is equally matched with the lovely presentation and wonderful splashes of humour. Emotive and descriptive language is employed to engage our senses and of course my favourite piece is probably ‘This Face.’ Making this a highly enjoyable collection and one I have no doubt in recommending!
Author Sarah Northwood
February 26, 2021
I devoured this quick book of poetry in one sitting. It took me less than an hour and I enjoyed every page. Mallon has a way of capturing your attention, and every poem is relatable. It’s smooth easy reading offers a mix of thoughts, events, and a variety of happenings some of which are silly and some are a lot more edgy and serious. I’ll quickly highlight a couple of my favorites:
Road Rage is a poem about an outing that has Mallon on edge. I really enjoyed this one because I get massive road rage myself, so it gave me a little perspective on own outrage!
Breast Lump really hit home as cancer runs in my family. I was on edge during the entire poem wondering what was going to happen. My heart really went out to the people in the waiting room, and it was a big reminder for me personally to stay humble, positive and to keep on top of checkups.
Bucketlist was also a favorite for me. Its simple and adorable and I could relate to every line.
All in all I really enjoyed every single poem. Kudos M.J. on another winning release!
Road Rage is a poem about an outing that has Mallon on edge. I really enjoyed this one because I get massive road rage myself, so it gave me a little perspective on own outrage!
Breast Lump really hit home as cancer runs in my family. I was on edge during the entire poem wondering what was going to happen. My heart really went out to the people in the waiting room, and it was a big reminder for me personally to stay humble, positive and to keep on top of checkups.
Bucketlist was also a favorite for me. Its simple and adorable and I could relate to every line.
All in all I really enjoyed every single poem. Kudos M.J. on another winning release!
March 27, 2021
This is a collection of poems that most of us can relate to. In the year since the first lockdown, families have been brought together in the confines of a home with limited opportunity to go further than a walk in the park. Normal activities suddenly become more valued and minds become creative in finding new ways to stay engaged and sane.
The author also takes a look at society and how some are happy to be selfish in the face of a national and global pandemic, with disregard for their own safety and others around them.. and a road rage bully is not about to change his spots.
There is humour in the verses and poignant reminders of the worry of being too far away from loved ones to support them.. I had some favourites and The Little Library is one which was a tribute to the comfort of books and Bucket List with inventive ideas to brighten the long lockdown days and weeks.
A lovely collection with verses to cheer and others to remind us to be safe..
The author also takes a look at society and how some are happy to be selfish in the face of a national and global pandemic, with disregard for their own safety and others around them.. and a road rage bully is not about to change his spots.
There is humour in the verses and poignant reminders of the worry of being too far away from loved ones to support them.. I had some favourites and The Little Library is one which was a tribute to the comfort of books and Bucket List with inventive ideas to brighten the long lockdown days and weeks.
A lovely collection with verses to cheer and others to remind us to be safe..
February 28, 2021
Frustration, trepidation, fear, confusion, ennui, and boredom. Marjorie Mallon has taken the emotions so many of us experienced at life’s ironies and absurdities during coronavirus lockdowns and penned them in musings with her short prose and poetry.
From anger at the unmasked and the privileged to the trials of working from home and a health scare to a bin-guarding swan, memories of 2020 are crystal clear.
This short collection isn’t just a memoir and observations, but also a tribute to the spring the whole world changed.
Enjoy!
From anger at the unmasked and the privileged to the trials of working from home and a health scare to a bin-guarding swan, memories of 2020 are crystal clear.
This short collection isn’t just a memoir and observations, but also a tribute to the spring the whole world changed.
Enjoy!
April 19, 2021
My review for M J Mallon's Lockdown Innit.
I always enjoy Marjorie Mallon's poetry and stories and this was no exception.
The poems were topical and contained excerpts which we all can relate to. Living under the strain of lockdown we all need a release and reading these poems made me smile, nod my head in agreement or shed a tear. A funny but poignant look at life under lockdown.
One of my favourites was Lockdown Breeze what a great piece to open with.
5 stars and a book I will go back to again and again.
I always enjoy Marjorie Mallon's poetry and stories and this was no exception.
The poems were topical and contained excerpts which we all can relate to. Living under the strain of lockdown we all need a release and reading these poems made me smile, nod my head in agreement or shed a tear. A funny but poignant look at life under lockdown.
One of my favourites was Lockdown Breeze what a great piece to open with.
5 stars and a book I will go back to again and again.
February 27, 2021
I loved the poems, they captured the spirit of the times, the vagaries of human behaviour, the poignant signs of a society in change. There are some beautiful observations of what has become the new normal.
March 5, 2021
Interesting and thought provoking. A short book and quick read. The content is about the author's thoughts on lockdown and how it affected her and others around her. Well written poetry and a book I'd recommend to others.
March 4, 2021
In this collection of poems, MJ Mallon has given us a wry series of vignettes of our society during a very strange year in history; it reminded me in part of theatre of the absurd, and she carries it out with an admirable lightness of touch. She conveys the folly, the irritability, the absurdity of people’s behaviour, along with a feeling of being lost and adrift.
The reader has a sense of having opened various windows, to see how other people have coped with lockdown. We find honest observation of life: people doing foolish things in supermarkets; quirky observations of nature that may well have gone unnoticed in other, busier times; or which may not have been there for us to see, but for the fact that wild animals too have felt the strangeness, and strayed into the urban environment. Examples given are the appearance of a swan by a dustbin.
We also find gems of delight in all this: the author’s observation of the horses like statues, and the violin player on a tightrope; and I loved the poem about the local village community library. We have a pop-up lending library at the bottom of our road. It demonstrates how human beings can react so differently to crises, and while some withdraw into themselves, doing things that seem selfish or stupid to others, we also find those who come up with inspirational ideas to make life better for those around them.
The poem about breast cancer explores the subject beautifully, showing the author’s relief set against her poignant awareness of others who are not so lucky. Through the entire volume, there floats a sensation of oddness, simply noted and preserved in a poem.
I feel these poems are written by someone who sees life at an angle, shifted one degree by the quiet act of observation.
Highly recommended.
The reader has a sense of having opened various windows, to see how other people have coped with lockdown. We find honest observation of life: people doing foolish things in supermarkets; quirky observations of nature that may well have gone unnoticed in other, busier times; or which may not have been there for us to see, but for the fact that wild animals too have felt the strangeness, and strayed into the urban environment. Examples given are the appearance of a swan by a dustbin.
We also find gems of delight in all this: the author’s observation of the horses like statues, and the violin player on a tightrope; and I loved the poem about the local village community library. We have a pop-up lending library at the bottom of our road. It demonstrates how human beings can react so differently to crises, and while some withdraw into themselves, doing things that seem selfish or stupid to others, we also find those who come up with inspirational ideas to make life better for those around them.
The poem about breast cancer explores the subject beautifully, showing the author’s relief set against her poignant awareness of others who are not so lucky. Through the entire volume, there floats a sensation of oddness, simply noted and preserved in a poem.
I feel these poems are written by someone who sees life at an angle, shifted one degree by the quiet act of observation.
Highly recommended.
October 5, 2025
Even after so many years I found "Lockdown Innit"to be a relatable, witty and wonderfully offbeat poetry collection that captures the surreal absurdities, frustrations, and fleeting joys of an easily forgotten lockdown life. Across eighteen poems, M.J. Mallon balances humour and heart with a keen eye for the ridiculous details that defined those strange days, from a swan preening beside a bin to unmentionables fluttering in the breeze.
Some of my favourites include Violin Player On a Tightrope, a sharp and playful snapshot of human defiance and fragility (Man without a mask / On a tightrope / Violin Playing Song), and Author Longs For Pets, a tender Etheree poem that captures a yearning for companionship and escape through the dreamy eyes of a ginger cat.
Mallon’s voice is conversational yet lyrical, her verses light on their feet yet grounded in shared experience. This is a collection that makes you smile, nod in recognition, and perhaps sigh a little at the strange theatre we all lived through.
A quirky, relatable read that turns life's monotony into moments of laughter, reflection, and unexpected beauty. A must-read.
Some of my favourites include Violin Player On a Tightrope, a sharp and playful snapshot of human defiance and fragility (Man without a mask / On a tightrope / Violin Playing Song), and Author Longs For Pets, a tender Etheree poem that captures a yearning for companionship and escape through the dreamy eyes of a ginger cat.
Mallon’s voice is conversational yet lyrical, her verses light on their feet yet grounded in shared experience. This is a collection that makes you smile, nod in recognition, and perhaps sigh a little at the strange theatre we all lived through.
A quirky, relatable read that turns life's monotony into moments of laughter, reflection, and unexpected beauty. A must-read.
July 9, 2021
How would I describe it? A short poetry pamphlet to make you smile, laugh and notice the little things we often miss during this crazy, unprecedented time. I hope you enjoy!
Find out more via my media kit: https://mjmallon.com/2021/04/15/media...
Features (Christy Birmingham ) - https://whenwomeninspire.com/2021/03/...
Find out more via my media kit: https://mjmallon.com/2021/04/15/media...
Features (Christy Birmingham ) - https://whenwomeninspire.com/2021/03/...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews