Lyla Hershkovitz, 10Valley Glen, CA Gone Lyla Hershkovitz, 10 Gone She drifts away Crumbling As I hold her hand, it crinkles Lifeless Drained She says something I cannot understand, Maybe because I’m not thinking Fluids drip out of full bags, The nurses detach the suctions As if they want her to melt away Her ring slips off, I don’t catch it It’s like being a baby and wanting to tell your mother you love her It’s like not being able to express I get chills, and my stomach drops The beeping of a pumping heart monitor stops We’re done
COVID-19
No Time To Go On Walks, a reflection by Sophi Reynolds, 12
Sophi Reynolds, 12Lexington, KT No Time To Go On Walks Sophi Reynolds, 12 There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. With everything going on, I had not one moment to spare. If I did, it would have been used to do something other than taking a walk to clear my mind. I always had something to do. Cheer practice, voice lessons, dentist appointment, homework, tumble class, my brother’s practices, musical rehearsal, and so much more. It seemed I would never have a free moment, because every second of my time was always filled. That day I had school, a voice lesson, musical rehearsal, and then cheer practice. I didn’t even know if I would have time for dinner until after 9 o’clock! I barely got to see my family that day, or the next day. Or the next. I was so tired, tired of doing homework in the car, eating more meals in my car than at the table, and tired because of lack of sleep. It seemed I would never again get to go on a peaceful walk in the park with my family, until the Coronavirus struck. At first, I was sad to leave school and all the activities that went with it behind. But soon I realized that this break was just what I needed. Once again, I was eating dinner with my family at the table and going on peaceful walks with my dogs. I realize more than ever, now that school and activities are starting up again, that I need to make more time for dinner at the table with my family, time to relax and read a book, time to hang out with my friends, and I need to make more time for going on walks.
Covid Superheroes, a poem by Devanshi Das, 13
Devanshi Das, 13New Delhi, India Covid Superheroes Devanshi Das, 13 It’s been days since she was home Leaving her family and kids behind In the same city, living in a small hotel room After a long day of hospital work, A video call at night with her kids Was her solace and keeps peace of mind. As the sun rises, Sunita geared in all white Steps out to enter her ward, a danger zone Every morning comes with a promise of hope For a better day and tougher war to fight. The enemy is lurking somewhere unknown and unseen Locked inside homes, people on road not to be seen There stands Kamla, clutching her kid in her arm Wielding a baton with ill fitted khaki uniform Leaving behind a sick husband at home She pleads, cajoles and forces people to leave the road And, remain behind the safe walls of their home As the enemies on the street hideously roam. Making the world come to a halt Corona is running fast, far and wide, but not caught With the enemy, Ruchika is running with a mike in hand A camera following her, ever ready to file a report A story on the virus-run and how a Covid-war has just begun Informing people at home and their scarier mind She is the light of hope and their roving eyes. The stillness rules at the busy corner of a street The usual roar of the road is now without traffic There walks Leelabati, with a broom in her hand She sweeps the streets, unafraid of the corona’s deadly dance A loosely hanging mask as her only defense She had to work, as sanitizing the street was more important To chase the virus and defeat its crippling attack. They all are like you and me, Living with their fears, worries and anxiety But warriors as they are, leaving behind their comfort They choose to step out to danger for our sake So that we remain alive, we stay safe. Salute to the courage, salute to their determination Respect our superheroes’ commitment to our great Nation.
