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 II Spring 2020 Spring (acrylic) By Rebecca Wu, 9 (Medina, WA), published in Stone Soup March 2022 Fortunate Everybody says we have smiling faces, My father flew back to India just in time. Before the US had an outbreak of cases, My father flew back to India just in time. New Norms Our dictionary developed. Face mask, hand sanitizer, social distancing Were the new normal. Our Prime-Minister, Mr. Modi, Was all over the news, Mann-Ki-Baat is what he came up with Fascinating me, With community claps, For boosting confidence; With the lighting of candles, As a symbol of hope. Irony of the Situation I am having quite a time, We are all at home. My father and I, We spend a lot of time together. But when I went to the terrace the other day, The roads suddenly felt quiet as a graveyard. Then I realized— Not everybody must be so blessed as me. The daily wage earners suffering from no work, no food. They and their families must be struggling, Day after day, Night after night. Loss The tickets my father had booked for us, To return to the US, Were canceled. But the money we paid for the tickets Did not find their way back to us. Not so bad after all It is not so bad. My entire big family is safe, We are not completely locked up at home, Venturing outside the house is possible, Though for necessary goods only. And I can play with my father too, For it has been a month since he returned. Birthday The lockdown rules are less strict. Number of Covid cases is under control. It is my uncle’s birthday. Giving him a surprise, Is what runs in my mind. The idea of seeing him after so many days Makes me dance like a free bird. So all stuffed with goodies and a huge cake, We arrive at his building. Not allowed to enter it, We celebrate his birthday on the street.
COVID-19
Pandemic Echoes
An invisible enemy has changed our lives. Lives lost, all too soon. Soon slinks fear, that we contain in isolation. Isolation bringing bitter loneliness; thoughts echoing. Echoing around the world, clouds of chaos and uncertainty. Uncertainty in each other, infected with suspicion. Suspicion of one another, seems like our jobs. Jobs vanishing, economy at a standstill. Still, hope is in our nature. Nature is renewing, the world is clean and quiet. Quiet acts of kindness, binding us together. Together we lead, enlightened by our journey.
Out of the Pandemic, poetry in seasons by Paridhi, 13 | Part I: Winter 2020
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 I Winter 2020 A Glimpse of Winter (Nikon COOLPIX L830)By Hannah Parker, 13 (South Burlington, VT), published in Stone Soup December 2019 50th Annual Day My school, JNS, Its 50th year of existence. It’s a grand ceremony. Trained in Bharatanatyam For the past 4 years, Earned me A place in prestigious prayer dance. I am very excited, Excited but nervous. The aura of the heavy costume, The makeup, the traditional jewelry, It makes me weak in my knees. Could see the pride in my mother’s eyes Missing my father though Who is slogging in the US At his new job. It All Started Corona Virus! Oh God! What is this? It seems to be the talk of the town! China comes out as the culprit Blamed by one and all. Disease, Death, Doom, Italy echoed of them all. It slowly spread its wings While we Unaware of the danger, Were busy writing our exams That passed away In the blink of an eye. Alone News of deadly Corona Spreads like fire. US is having a bad time. People are getting infected In great numbers. Stay home. Stay Safe. The new mantra. Unfortunately, my father is stuck there. With nobody beside him. Not even my mother, All alone. The Dilemma, The Decision My mother with tears flowing through her eyes. My father on the Zoom call. Me staring at grown-ups. Seeing them in a dilemma, Whether my father should stay away Or risk traveling to India. Ecstatic At last, With the Ramayana in our hands, A decision is made. Papa will be coming back Back to us Back to India Back to being a family. Oh! How I missed him not being around! He is back with us. He is safe. Next day, LOCKDOWN comes as a nightmare. India gets totally sealed up. All international flights cancelled. We prayed and prayed. God was kind to us. Plans canceled Two trips for this spring; Both canceled. I was to go to Switzerland, A ski trip from school. Was looking forward to see the heavenly beauty Of the mountainous And the cold, amazing, rich city. Second, to the US, With my parents. Rising cases in US! Corona canceled it, Canceled it all.
