When Things Changed

In this 'new' normal,

There is no permanence.

First, you're told that things don't last forever.

Later, you're told that you must conform

To the new norm:

Meet no one and do a favour.

Just take cover in your home; it's not an impertinence.

And, wait for the 'former' normal.

Fear wells up,

Yet you step outside—

You can't lock yourself forever.

With a mask on your face,

You prepare to face

A challenge confronted by everyone till it's over.

You walk with no one beside

As you can no longer walk in a group.

Still, you find recklessness,

And false beliefs and rumours.

A few are anxious

And a few desperate

To vaccinate

As new variants come by making some curious.

The rest lie overwhelmed for hours

While everyone's future is veiled by darkness.

If it hadn't been for the COVID

The world would've been different—

So much that one can't imagine.

Perhaps, many could be happier,

Not as lonelier and lower.

But we need to win,

With tearful separations that are occurrent.

It's all because of COVID.