The heat is unbearable

as the scorching sun plays havoc

we are in the midst of a torrid season

the wave has engulfed life’s course

hit of the second wave on the top of it

makes living from bad to worse

the entire nation is caught in the web

the universe for that matter

sobs wails and laments…echo everywhere

rip apart heart and core

losing a kith and kin is so disastrous a feeling

seething anger fuels the sense of panic

screeching halt of ambulances

has become a common sight

‘whose turn is this?

who is picked?’

adds to depression and anxiety

sleep eludes often

shunted far is peace of mind

shortage of medical facility hits hard

devastates the needy

casualty piles up adding to the grim story

mask, hygiene, quarantine, work from home

such words are in vogue

so also lock down and home isolation

people have resigned to the ways of ‘new normal’

learned to adapt to this different kind of life

till such time the demon leaves the scenario

we need to fend for ourselves

inculcate ‘wise living’ in letter and spirit.

                                                                                      ~Sujata Dash

                                                                                       Bhubaneswar, India