Words That Matter

A story not long ago began,
As the virus somewhere sprang,
There was fear in the air,
Yet only few did care.
Suddenly, the nation went into lockdown,
Leaving millions to frown,
People shut themselves indoor,
Following instructions, the news channels did pour.
With not much of an option to explore,
Everyone waited in anticipation, until they could roar.
Every household began to stock,
Grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, anything they could block.
The social media galore,
Was all bustling and brimming, with eagerness that more 'likes' would pour.
People began to learn new things,
Some learnt cooking, dancing and even to sing.
Everything seemed as if was going well,
Hashtags like #StayHome and #StaySafe began to tell.
Amidst all these many happenings,
The majority were blindly forgotten,
With jobs gone and income taken away,
Little did the poor recognize they were kept at bay.
When suddenly they emerged in large numbers,
It shook the parliament members.
Sitting in offices, they decided the migrant fate,
Creating situations that cultivated more hate.
Some travelled on foot,
Some just took whatever would suit.
Others gathered in large groups in hope
Trying to see if there was any home in scope.
Without food, water, space to live
They wandered, stranded and living out of what others would give.
Organizations and individuals came to help,
But this could not hold for too long.
Amongst those affected, some gave up, without any gain,
Some caved into their pain,
Children orphaned,
Parents left childless,
Families destroyed,
And a world of people simply gone.
Wonder if COVID-19 alone, actually did all this to this world?
We still have a long standing night,
Before we see the Dawn of light.
Let us stand up for humanity.
Let us do what it takes.
Archana Rao
29th May 2020