Lost for ever

First we were bombarded with gadgets

No not toys, but mobile and gaming consoles

The world wide web creating a labyrinth

Football, kabaddi, basket ball, cricket,

Skipping and running everything restricted

To six or maximum of 9 inches of glaring screens

The open space, the wind blowing on faces

Sweat running endlessly and wiped on the shirt sleeve

The falling and getting up routine forgotten long before

And seeking solace on unknown figures fighting

Endlessly on the mobile panels

The only solace that was left was going to the class room

Mingling with friends and foes alike

Chiding and back slapping and teasing

Staring and scribbling copying and spying

and the intensity of competitive class exams

Not to forget the hobnobbing on the school day and college fest

Were all replaced by dreadful looking uncomfortable

Teachers struggling to keep a straight face staring

At god knows where and hoping the students haven’t shut their eyes yet.

Blame it if you want on the pandemic et all, but the fact remains that

The culprits are our parents who replaced love, care, affection

And quality time with mobiles and gaming consoles

Much before the pandemic set in, we had lost all our

Innocence and childhood that would never, ever return again.