The Pandemic

I wrote this poem during the Covid-19 pandemic. That was a very different time during all our lives. Some of us were fortunate enough to stay close to our families, but for many that was not an option. It is tough to fathom how hard it must have been to be away from their loved ones for such a long time.

At first, we tried to embrace the lockdown seeing it as an opportunity to catch a break from the relentless hustle of everyday life. Trends like making Dalgona coffees, revisiting old-forgotten hobbies and focusing on self-care with yoga and healthy recipes occupied our time for a while. Personally, I picked up crocheting again and enjoyed my time with my family - cooking up various dishes, watching television together and sharing stories. But eventually, the dreaded monotony and isolation crept in. And each day felt heavier than the last, everyone itching to get out in the open world.

I was in my first year of engineering at the time, and I missed hostel life terribly. I felt sad knowing that I am missing out on the precious time that would be cherished for the rest of my life. It felt unfair to see my college life being replaced by online classes. I longed for the freedom of roaming around the campus and hanging out with my friends.

Yet, there were others who were worse off. The daily news reports shed light on the heartbreaking struggles of people stranded far from their homes, grappling with food shortages and uncertainty of what the next day would bring.

The only thing that kept us going was hope. The hope that the healthcare workers and researchers battling this deadly virus will emerge victorious. And after what felt like eternity, the wishful thinking turned into reality. We arose beyond those dark times finally able to step outside, breathe freely and embrace our loved ones again.