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 VI (End) Spring 2021 Guarding the Garden By Audrey Champness, 12 (Green Cove Springs, FL), published in Stone Soup December 2021 In the Hotel We stayed in a hotel For the first 15 days. While my parents were busy arranging things, I enjoyed Going out For walks With my father, Seeing the beauty Of this new city. However, In my heart I could feel the pain. I will miss my cousins. I will miss seeing their laughing faces. I will miss my monkey brother, Who always was there by my side. I will miss my naughty sister, I will miss them. A House Our first priority— My school. Mom was meticulously searching for good schools on the net. She chooses Jefferson Middle School. It was listed as the best. And finally, the search for an accommodation In the district that we would call home. We have finally booked a house And now we are moving in our luggage To our new house. New Experience We had bought furniture, But we did not know, We did not know that we had to assemble it. So we spent the entire day trying to set up all the pieces. And by the end of the day We were dog tired. Fun it was though. A New School Today is my first day of school. I am going physically to school, After a whole year online. I am very excited. Settled We are finally settled, We have bought what we need at home. I am doing fine in school. Future Today when I look back to last year gone by, It has been really adventurous. My eyes are now set to new goals, To the aims that I have, To the dreams that I want to fulfill, To the success I want to achieve, To the love that I want to spread, I wish the Almighty stands by me, Like he always does, In his hidden subtle ways.
journaling
Out of the Pandemic, poetry in seasons by Paridhi, 13 | Part V: Winter 2021
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 V Winter 2021 Winter (Craftpaint) By Leonardo Cavaliere, 6 (Tarzana, CA), published in Stone Soup January 2021 Exams again The final exams are here again, Everybody has started studying again. But the exams are easier this time— We do not have to go to school either. We just sit at home, In front of the camera, And take the test. Packing While I was busy with my exams, My parents had started Packing for a trip to the USA. My mother seemed busy as a bee. Our house, a mess, Cartons everywhere, Tickets were booked for March’s end. The relocation that was due a year earlier Was finally happening. Fun I am spending my last week in India With my cousins I am excited to go to the US But I will miss them. They were always there To help me To irritate me To tease me To love me. Yes, I will miss them. Farewell We are going tonight. I spend my day at my aunt’s place, My aunt makes all my favorite dishes. I love her cooking— She is the best cook. My cousins and I spend the entire day together— Playing with each other, watching movies, having fun. But as we drove towards the airport, I sensed the sadness in the air. We all cried. Flight It was a long journey. I was excited. The idea of crossing the Atlantic Ocean Mesmerized me. When we reached Chicago It was snowing. My first experience of snow, I felt a shiver run down my spine— My bones were freezing.
Out of the Pandemic, poetry in seasons by Paridhi, 13 | Part IV: Autumn 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 IV Autumn 2020 Squash Fest (acrylics) By Taeyi Kim, 11 (Seoul, South Korea), published in Stone Soup November 2020 Recovery My cousins completely recovered. It was celebration time. Diwali The joyful festival of crackers and light, Came as it had never come before. It came slowly Bringing joy to everyone, But it was not the same as before. There were hardly any crackers And I was not allowed to meet my cousins Since they had just recovered, Recovered from the effect of the venom. Life Continues Life was crawling back to normal. Online schooling, TV, exercise, Became the mundane routine. I had started missing my friends, Who seemed so close during online schooling, But yet were so far. Shirdi Trip As time was slowly passing, Boredom set in. My parents were frustrated by staying put at home. So we decide to take a road trip to Shirdi, In the outskirts of Mumbai. We meticulously planned everything, Keeping the lockdown rules in mind. We were excited on the day of the trip. After visiting the magnificent temple, We took a tour of the entire city. I learned that the place was famous for guavas And my grandmother went berserk buying in bulk. My father was anxious when we returned. If anyone fell ill, A dragon would eat his head. Fortunately, the trip was a grand success. Relax It was fun. We had a lovely time together. But now, We are going to relax. For the last week of December. This trip did us good, And I am starting to prepare For the final exams in March.
