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 Sunflowers By Ethan Hu, 8 (San Diego, CA), published in Stone Soup September 2021 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.
journaling
Out of the Pandemic, poetry in seasons by Paridhi, 13 | Part II: Spring 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 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.
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.
