Dear Covid-19,

thank you for your message.

You sure know how to make an entrance.

I can see why you would jump,

From a wild animal –

to a host as abundant as us.

But it’s still hard to believe,

That we offered ourselves to you

So easily.

                                                            

In entering our lives,

you held up a mirror to our fractured relationship with the natural world.

A wake-up call so loud ;

That our frenetic existence

Was for a moment

SILENCED.

                                    

A hush punctuated only-

by the heartbeat of the earth.

The pulse of life that surrounds us.

Even while we are to busy to notice.

As we scuttle to our homes ;

Like cockroaches from light,

Penguins, pumas, kangaroos

Find room to roam

In the forests – we turned to concrete jungles;

For “urbanisation”

                                    

A tantalising glimpse of a wilder world!

A promise of co-existence.

But, also of conflict

As you disrupt the mission of many.

The stoves in the houses of the deprived

Have stopped burning.

As you disproportionately claim the lives

Of our most marginalised,

They who have been denied their rights take to the streets;

To demand what they have always deserved.

Enough is enough.

                                    

If the future is ours to choose,

I choose people and planet

Over politics and profit.

I choose to restore fractured relationships.

Rebuild broken systems.

Rewind hearts, minds, and homes

And hear the heart of our adverse and abundant earth

Beat louder and stronger every day

                                    

At present, I wonder when ;

 I wonder how;

The lines blurred between ‘safety’ and becoming the norm

                                    

No offense Covid-19,

But I’m done with your wake-up calls.

And so, I ask my companions ;

In this brave new world,

To let your voices be heard!

What future do you choose?

                                    

~Deeya Jain

Mumbai, India