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In Times Like These

In times like these, where I live, Days are rising in exuberance of spring Blossoming season’s scented revelry As hatchlings are chirping jovial music, Yet, the news dominates COVID-Nineteen: A world trapped in grip of quarantine. Silence of the streets speaks loudly For countless lives interrupted suddenly, Muted voices aching helplessly Suspending travel, shuttering businesses, Closing schools, libraries, offices, Facing spectacular market crashes; Re-living images of jobless people Lining up at food-banks, charities, Filing claims for unemployment benefits. Crushing footage of world powerless, Flashes daily like science-fiction movies-- Mighty nations brought to knees Invaded by a microscopic enemy Way more powerful than any army, Killing populations indiscriminately. Normal has become social distancing, Covering faces in public places, Hugging grandkids on facetime remotely, Saying words of prayer, reassuring-- Sounding the same in every language Regardless of one’s religion or faith As strangers cry for those seeking help In corridors of crowded hospital beds Where bawl of fear spurs echoes of death. Life will be different in a changed world As I think of the future yet unknown, But I feel assured there will be a cure; Force of despair may haunt endlessly Yet, goodwill of hope will remain eternal. In times like these, where I live, I let spring pass-by for visions of summer And sanguine meadows of opulent autumn, Mindful, even when tears stop flowing, Pain of this disease will linger long after. May 6, 2020 Placed 1st: In times like these poetry contest Sponsor: Silent One

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Valsa George

Date: 1/2/2022 7:51:00 AM

'Mighty nations brought to knees Invaded by a microscopic enemy Way more powerful than any army, Killing populations indiscriminately.' You have drawn the virulent magnitude of this indomitable assailant ! Wonderful capture.

Vijay Galia

Date: 10/15/2020 9:14:00 AM

You are such a wonderful writer. I would love to learn from you

Janice Canerdy

Date: 5/12/2020 6:25:00 PM

Congratulations on your well-deserved win with this vividly descriptive piece, Vijay! Janice

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/14/2020 10:59:00 AM

Thank you Janice--much appreciate.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 5/12/2020 1:22:00 PM

congratulations on your win. A great write. It all seems like a very bad nightmare. I wish I could just wake up. Enjoy your day and your win..........

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/12/2020 4:22:00 PM

Much appreciate Paula--many thanks.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 5/10/2020 5:18:00 PM

Congrats on your first place with this contemplative piece. Thanks for your visit.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/11/2020 6:57:00 AM

Much appreciate Richard--many thanks.

Nette Onclaud

Date: 5/10/2020 2:14:00 PM

great stuff of what poetry is made, vijay!... congrats and thanks for your visit!...huggs

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/10/2020 3:17:00 PM

Glad you are back Nette--many thanks for your visit and comments.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/10/2020 11:11:00 AM

Back with congratulations Vijay, I'm honoured to share the podium with a poet of your class. Tom

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/10/2020 3:16:00 PM

I feel the same my friend--many thanks, Tom.

Silent One

Date: 5/10/2020 9:01:00 AM

You spoke about every aspect here and covered the pandemic exactly how it is for so many.. I worry with the easing of lockdown... Especially in the Uk.. Congratulations on your first place in the contest..

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/10/2020 3:16:00 PM

You are right, some states here in US are also easing too soon. Thank you SO--much appreciate--many thanks for holding contests.

Heidi Sands

Date: 5/9/2020 8:09:00 AM

Excellent poem Vijay. This shows what we are going through clearly. I love the last stanza too. We are still waiting for spring here. It is snowing again today. I hope all is well :)

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/9/2020 11:51:00 AM

Hope you get spring up there soon. Much appreciate your kind feedback, Heidi. Many thanks, my friend.

Lawrence Sharp

Date: 5/9/2020 1:42:00 AM

Many a true word, Vijay. Dire times, regardless of the season. Very nicely expressed.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/9/2020 11:50:00 AM

Much appreciate Lawrence--many thanks.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/8/2020 8:36:00 PM

You touched on so many things that are of importance and concern in this brilliant poem Vijay! We all need to help each other when possible and know that better days will come. xxoo

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/9/2020 11:50:00 AM

Thank you Connie--appreciate your visit and kind remarks.

Paul Callus

Date: 5/8/2020 11:52:00 AM

You have ably captured this viral reality, Vijay, with most people having to adapt themselves to the situation. This too shall pass, and hopefully, from this ordeal, we would have learned something to our benefit. Regards // paul

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/8/2020 4:31:00 PM

So true--this too shall pass. Much appreciate Paul--many thanks. Regards.

Brandy Nicole

Date: 5/7/2020 11:04:00 PM

You paint such vivid images with your words. As I am reading this, I feel somewhat lost. Real moments are happening around us and everything is different. Death, worry, panic.. the list goes on. "In times like these" All we can do is pray. ~ Brandy

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/8/2020 7:25:00 AM

Much appreciate your kind remarks, as always, Brandy. Many thanks. Stay safe!

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 5/7/2020 4:17:00 PM

This terrible virus has put a dent in all of us, it has made us sadder but definitely strong and more determined. Prayers for a healthy life, for you and yours, lest we forget, the world that we live in, ? Be well.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/8/2020 7:24:00 AM

My prayers as well for you, Vienna. Be safe.Thank you my friend--much appreciate.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 5/7/2020 6:57:00 AM

The future historian would look back at our time and would try to understand what went on in our psyche during and after this calamity is over. Your poem is so powerful and so real that makes the reader understand more the gravity of the situation and the consequences of this tragedy. A fave for me my friend, Vijay! Blessings.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 9:05:00 AM

Always a blessing when you visit my friend. Much appreciate the kind remarks. Many thanks, Demetrios.

Harry Horsman

Date: 5/7/2020 12:15:00 AM

You say it so well, Vijay, love to hear this read while watching a doco, on tv or the movies. Stay Safe my friend.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 9:03:00 AM

So very kind of you my friend--much appreciate your visit and comments, Harry. Many thanks.

Sandra Adams

Date: 5/6/2020 8:38:00 PM

you always find a way to add some beauty within your words... the scene can be felt and seen from the reader... I have stopped watching the news because I am tired of hearing it... the weather here is still cold, some parts could see snow but I am anxiously awaiting spring's warmth so that I may at least enjoy some outside time... great write my friend, this will be a top winner for sure... hugs :)

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 9:02:00 AM

We are in spring here but it rains from time to time. I am always so happy to read your feedback. Much appreciate my friend. Many thanks, Sandy.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 5/6/2020 5:13:00 PM

An all encompassing poem of these trying times ... you said so much, giving such details to the disaster in the middle portions (thankfully it's bookend-ed with nature's beauty and appreciation). I wonder what historians will say of these truly unprecedented times we are living in?

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 9:00:00 AM

I think this will go down as a significant rare tragedy-- when they look back. You are so kind my friend--much appreciate your visit and comments--many thanks, Tim.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/6/2020 4:45:00 PM

you wrote beautifully on this very dark topic. I happen to see it as a PLANdemic and they are accomplishing their purposes quite nicely, causing fear in many many people. Anyway, very nice writing, Vijay. People are using Zpac and recovering easily from his disease, by the way; however, our govenment won't even recommend the things to help the average person.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 8:58:00 AM

Yes--the fear is real--nothing more evident than images of people dying..many times someone close. Much appreciate, Andrea--many thanks. Will look up what Zpac does.

Harry Horsman
Date: 5/7/2020 12:15:00 AM

Love your Plandemic, you may be on to something there?

Ralph Sergi

Date: 5/6/2020 4:41:00 PM

Great poem, Vijay! I hope this is not a prophetic omen for the future. I certainly wish you well in times like this.

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 8:55:00 AM

Delighted by your visit Ralph--appreciate the kind remarks--many thanks.

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 5/6/2020 2:10:00 PM

during this lock down we find the inner beauty, as your pen paints a beautiful picture away from the clouds within nature, i pray you keep safe and i enjoyed your canvas

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 8:52:00 AM

Yes indeed--we tend to reflect on life in times like these. Much appreciate your kind remarks, Liam--many thanks.

Charlie Smith

Date: 5/6/2020 2:02:00 PM

Life will be different, no doubt. It has always been evolving, but this much more dramatic than ever before. Well expressed Vijay, best wishes...

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 8:50:00 AM

So true--much appreciate Charlie--many thanks.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/6/2020 12:00:00 PM

You've captured the pandemic well in your verse Vijay, hopefully there will be an end to this nightmare soon. Tom

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 8:49:00 AM

The end is near but not soon enough--much appreciate Tom..many thanks.

Mike Gentile

Date: 5/6/2020 11:47:00 AM

So perfectly expressed Vijay. your sentiments are shared my so many and yes, " for visions of summer"we can hope and all get past this. Great entry for the contest, Good Luck !!

Vijay Pandit
Date: 5/7/2020 8:48:00 AM

Much appreciate Mike--many thanks for the kind remarks.