Is this
what it takes?
do you see it?
do you smell it?
can you sense it?
it’s all around
us...
...the foul scent of fear and
isolation,
infecting our world
like the very contagion
that caused it
-
unchecked, it spreads fast
seeking out the young, the old,
the weak, the able, the fairest
and the darkest of hearts
alike
regardless of colour, creed, race or caste…
…an inclusivity, that humans would do well to learn from
what do we do? how do we react?
we isolate
we adapt
we find things to occupy
our lives
we comply,
we re-invent,
and continue…
…because, we are human…its what we
do…
…if we sat idle,
the would’ve, could’ve and should’ve thoughts
are
too many
and so very scary
so, we carry on with precious life
as best we can…
...we awaken,
we give thanks,
seeking new
meaning in solitude,
finding solace in nature…
…looking for
magic and mystery in quietude
recognizing the
beauty that exists…
…with every rising sun
…in the moonlit and moonless nights
and in every gust of wind,
losing ourselves in books, movies
and music…
…searching for some peace
amidst the anxiety and chaos
and,
in going back to the basics
we re-learn to
live and feel
in
order to heal
the hours seem longer
and the days blend into one another
as we continue
to ponder
our
unpredictable future
and even though we stand six feet apart
in our distancing and forced
isolation,
on the brink of this dark oblivion,
we
remain
somewhat collected, united and together
but the “truth” is so much more
than just the crisis at
hand…
history shows us that we have good
reason
to mistrust everything,
especially one another…
-we pretend to be
rash
while treating others
like trash
-we say what we do not mean
and mean what we do not say
-we seem to be
excellent communicators,
but constantly speak in riddles
-we wear our masks well,
everyone, everyday, everywhere…
…so well, that we forget
who we really are
and who or, what we can be (for each
other)…
the most reasonable act
would be to set
all our excuses, facades and differences
aside
for, at the very core of humanity,
lies a common actuality…
-a shared wisdom…
…an inherent tendency towards
peaceful unity
to
help reclaim our sanity
from the ashes of our self-inflicted
calamities
i remain in constant awe
of what we are able to accomplish
when we choose to ignore
our petty differences,
and come together
for a common cause,
for life,
for humanity,
for our communities…
…and as communities,
we have responsibilities…
…each one of us has a choice
each one of us has a voice
…it is about how we choose to
live… …with
or without limitations
and
with or without inhibitions
we may fail to see,
but the possibilities
are quite plenty
and right here, within our midst
sure,
we cannot unhear the things we’ve
heard,
unsee the things we’ve seen
or, undo the things we’ve done
we cannot help but be
constantly worried
about who or what’s lurking
around
the next corner
but then, something happens…
an emergency,
a calamity that affects
the whole of humanity
bringing us
face to face with our mortality
reminding us
of who we really are and who we can be
and that is when
we rise to the occasion
and we shine…
…we hear beyond
hearing,
we look and see what we commonly do not,
we feel beyond the sense of touch…
…our souls connect
we unite
we fight
…not each other, but together
without
any financial motivation or
the violent
retaliation
that we are so used to
and without the vengeful obsession
that we are so prone to pass down
from generation
to generation
and even
though we still stand six feet apart
in
our distancing and forced isolation,
on the brink of this dark oblivion,
we survive…
…together
we heal…
…together…
...as one
So, this is what it takes
This
spoken-word-poem was inspired by the condition of our times before, and now
during, COVID-19.
We
have come together as a race, despite skin colour, caste, creed or origin
because now we have a common enemy.
It was originally written as a rant and some
parts still read as a rant, but it evolved, as we, as human beings came
together united in our fear, grief, to fight against COVID-19, setting aside
our differences.