Nandan Nair

This is a poem I wrote for a writing competition held by Quincy Public Schools. Hope you enjoy it.

I remember the days
when it was normal to shake hands and hug one another
when the time after school was for grabbing coffee and talking for hours
when the streets bloomed with life, lights of every color
when life was simple.

And I still remember
walking through those school doors
staying up late studying for some test on the Napoleonic Wars
getting ready for a game or a practice
and enjoying the little things life had to offer.

Until a strange newcomer came
and put a halt to life as we knew it.

Nowadays
people are forced to isolate themselves
separated from those they love
and the nobel handshake has become a memory of times forgotten.

The streets, like a wilted flower, cease to bloom as it once did,
Seeing no more than a visitor or two each day
void of the color and vibrancy it once flaunted
a shadow of its previous self.

And the schools remain idle, waiting for the day it opens its doors once more
And the fields are locked up, waiting for the day it sees it’s next game
And the stores wait anxiously for the day it gets its next wave of customers
As the world lies in hibernation
An advanced civilization, the most powerful one on the face of the earth
temporarily brought to its knees by an intruder
not even visible to the naked eye.

And yet, in spite of the challenges we face
and the mountains seemingly unscalable
there still lies hope and belief
that all may not be in vain for the human race.

For with this sudden halt in life also comes time
to catch up with family and friends
to appreciate those around us
to accept our wrongdoings and make amends
to notice and respect the small things
things which would be ignored in the heat of the working day
and to understand the true value of life.

And while mankind remains confined to their homes,
the birds chirp louder than before
the trees and flowers bloom, it’s vibrancy taking the place of the streets
pollution levels drop to levels not seen in years
mother nature heals…

So until the day when we can once again go out with friends
when we can once again go to concerts and sports games on weekends
when the streets are revived, it’s vibrancy restored
and when we can resume life once more
let us learn to appreciate all life has to offer
reconnect with nature and ensure its everlasting longevity
and rediscover the drive and determination that has brought humanity to this point.

And while I still remember the days lost,
I also look forward to the days ahead…