We welcomed 2020 with so much joy,
As we foreseen many plans and ploy;
Little did we know a surprise was lurking,
Pandemic so contagious and terrifying!
The world was thrown into a state of chaos,
We were panic-stricken as many lives lost;
Young and old indiscriminately affected,
It swept through cities and countries defected.
Every state turned from green zone to red,
That’s how wildly the virus spread;
Death tolls increased from day to day,
It was a price we reluctantly pay!
To control infection, lockdown was issued,
We stayed behind closed doors, our lives valued.
But essential workers continued to work,
Their lives a sacrifice, no matter how it irked.
Doctors and nurses worked hours long,
Even though tired, they kept being strong;
Facing the virus, PPE is their armour,
To treat the infected and find a cure.
Deliverymen braved through an unseen threat,
To do their job, countless people they met;
Without them, some people would go hungry,
And to them, we are grateful profoundly.
Police and soldiers were important too,
They kept things in order for me and you;
Night and day, through blood and tears,
So we could be safe without any fears.
These frontliners are our unsung heroes,
They stood on the front as danger rose;
They worked together for just one entity,
That’s Malaysia – our beloved country!
The Earth stood still as we were quarantined,
Mother Nature healed to her state of pristine;
To contain the virus, we must live differently,
Adapting new norms, if we want to be free.
We were used to hugs and also handshakes,
Now they could be fatal and our life’s at stake;
Social distancing means we’re six feet apart,
No more hugs for us though we’re close at heart.
Mass gatherings are now frowned upon,
For it was the cause the virus spread on;
Only small groups is how me could meet,
Hand on our chest is how we greet.
Schools have reopened to continue study,
While teachers and pupils following SOP;
Even in lockdown, teachers had to teach online,
To ensure their pupils were not left behind.
Now that the world has finally resumed,
Worldwide activities begin to bloom;
Although we were severely hit,
We shall rise again, bit by bit.
There is no cure that’s been found so far,
Leaving our world with a tremendous scar;
That is why we all need to take action,
Preventive measures be given attention.
Our healthcare workers our last line of defence,
Each of us a frontliner to fight this offence;
We stayed at home and we’ve flattened the curve,
Now we can go out, don’t let our focus swerve.
Be vigilant, dear friends, we haven’t yet won,
It’s still a long way till this deathly spell’s undone;
Frequently wash our hands, stay six feet apart,
We can win this war if we do our part!
Yet how long will these struggles persist?
Oh, for as long as the virus exists!
Fret not, dear friends, this will not last,
For all things that come, they too shall pass.
If we have faith and continue to believe,
A hope will emerge with much relief;
Our tomorrow may have changed forever,
But we’ll survive if we’re in this together!
You and me, dear friends, and all of humanity,
We all need to shoulder this responsibility;
With one wrong step, we’ll go back to square one,
We’ll look out for each other – together, we are one.
The old sayings we must all remember,
Come now, dear friends, let’s say it together:
All for one and one for all,
Together we stand, divided we fall!
HBY,
8 July 2020.
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This poem was written for this year's poetry recitation competition. Too bad we couldn't make it to state level this year, so I'm sharing it here.
YOU ARE READING
Overflowing
PoesíaThis is a collection of poetry I have written throughout the years, whenever my head is overflowing with thoughts and my heart with emotions.
