Choose one of these photos from the collection of street photographer Vivian Maier. Imagine the context behind the photo and write a short story that captures the scene in words.
COVID-19
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.
The Silent Threat, a story by Rex Huang, 11
Rex Huang, 11Lake Oswego, OR The Silent Threat Rex Huang, 11 There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. That day lightning cracked outside, as loud as firecrackers. There was snow as far as the eye could see. And yet, everyone except me and my mother flocked outside for an Armistice Day celebration. But me and my mother were worried, for if we went, something horrible will haunt us. It’s not lightning–it’s the Spanish Flu. Everyone had lived through the trepidation of the war, but now that it was over, most weep in joy and think it is time for mass celebration. But a more deadly, quiet threat was still lurking. My grandmother still remembers the 1890 flu outbreak. Our other family members, I better not say. My father had been in the trenches. He had left Philadelphia in hopes of earning some cash to support my schooling. He sacrificed his life for mine. A half year later, we received notice that he perished. Not on the field, but on the hospital bed. So we knew better than to go outside for a party and risk the extinction of our family. Now fast forward a year. It was a hot summer day. My mother is weeping in tears at my father’s funeral. We are grateful the tragedies are over. Trucks wail outside as the bodies of the dead are brought out of the city. All the while, people next to us mouth prayers. The virus is over. But the damage had been done. The city is eerie quiet. No one is walking the streets. Those people know that one case could launch the city into chaos. But for now, no cases have been reported for a week. But, I knew that there would be a parade some time soon. Today the party was grand. But it was not a party. Rather, it was a memory. The same trucks used to carry bodies now carry floats. The people drink tea, for there was a rumor that doctors used opium overdoses to kill patients. And blue banners were revealed through the city, the same color that patients face’s turned. Finally, there was the real Armistice Day celebration. But we still lived in fear of one patient ruining it all. But, we were fortunate. Nothing was reported. The day was the most joyful day anyone could remember. The flu was an unpleasant experience. And I hope something similar never happens again. This story was entered in the Flash Contest based on Daily Creativity Prompt #91, in July 2020.
