Author's Statement
I started writing this piece as an optional assignment in my seventh grade English class. It was an end of the year assignment. In this piece, I have tried to describe some vivid memories and experiences over the one and a half years during which the COVID-19 virus has put a break on my life. The pandemic has been a turning point in my life. I still have many more experiences to gain in life but I doubt I will ever be able to forget this.
A Note from the Editor
These poems were submitted to Stone Soup blog as a 40 page collection. I have decided to publish them in weekly installments, breaking them up by the seasons Paridhi established. The artwork I have chosen to accompany each installment was not selected by the author and was originally published in Stone Soup.
Part III
Summer 2020
Spending Time
Online studies has come with its pros and cons.
TV serials have become our savior.
Mythological serials such as Ramayana and Mahabharata
Have my attention.
Various delicacies and a lethargic lifestyle
Is what I am leading.
Eating popcorn, nachos or anything whenever I feel like.
Fitness
Looking at the mirror
Realization struck.
My little belly bulging out.
Looking out of place.
So I started exercising.
It is a bit boring,
Exercising all alone,
But my mother is always there,
Beside me,
Urging me to continue
And to never stop.
Raksha Bandhan
Our Hindu festival, Rakhi
Is here,
A ceremony celebrating
The love and bond amongst brothers and sisters.
With lockdown not that strict,
I am going to my aunt’s new house.
We are going to have a grand day,
All cousins together,
Delicious food, numerous gifts, fun-filled time—
What we are looking forward to.
A Joke
It’s my birthday today.
I am now 12.
Only another year before I am a teen.
When all my cousins came,
My mother gifted me an enormous present.
A broad smile brightened my face—
I hastily unwrapped the gift
To find another parcel packed inside,
And then another layer,
And yet another.
After opening 10 parcels wrapped,
Inside one another,
I finally took out my present—
A chocolate.
We all had a hearty laugh.
COVID
After all the fun and frolic,
Next day,
Came the dreaded news.
My cousins had fever,
COVID was diagnosed.
The venom slowly spread,
It trapped each and every member of the family.
Prayers, prayers and prayers,
They should recover;
I hope they do.
Leave a Reply