Sherin describes life during the COVID pandemic, its looming fear. An exclusive for Different Truths.

The gates never opened for anyone, but the delivery boys
Groceries and fruits suddenly seemed to be not so available
The state fed the helpless and heard their pleading voice
In the ‘Heights Rising’ all were striving to be humble.

Children bored with English, Yoga and other lessons online
Missed their cousins, the get-togethers, busy malls and 7D movies
Snacks made at home, no dream of Pizza Hut visit to dine
What a loss! No picnics! But a citizen cannot give up his duties.

While some women shared on Facebook: their school photos with new friends
Files and folders piled up for some; as their babies sat on potty, their phones rang.
A nurse’s mom called her on video, prayed for those in the isolation wards
Sharing news fake or not, hoping the markets would boom before the profits sank.

They only had a parrot for company, in a silver-painted cage
Not possible to use the lift, no strength to spend on stairs, climbing.
Days remained the same; oats, fruits and medicines for their old age
The tall man brought in provisions, to help he was always willing.

Alone, tired of himself, closed in a room, he was worried
Courage was elusive, especially when he needed it every minute
Was there a cough, that came with him along the borders he had crossed?
To keep everyone else safe he chose a long, lonely and scary wait.

The gym and the swimming pool lay idle, untouched, in wait
The beautiful and the strong seemed not to worry about their BMI
When the deadly virus might be hiding to get you by a bait
Then everyone has to stay indoors with a watchful eye.

Streets seemed unfamiliar, life uncertain as her purse grew thin
News not very reassuring, yet there showed some light in the darkness
Daily wages of a woman who ironed is not there now to feed her kin
Misfortune, a curse, travelled around the world, had not made a small mess.

Only light up there in a corner, on the right side of the western block
Somewhere on the eleventh floor, where an artist might have been painting, is on
He kept looking at it, and kept guard all night, the land had put on itself a lock
It gave him strength for his duty, earn for his home, with the stars that shone.

What else can save the people, now in all nations of this ailing world
But personal hygiene and social distancing to be kept by all, strict
Human race now subdued by the deadly outbreak of disease COVID
There is no room for arguments, only a short time for any rescuing act.

Photo from the Internet