I Love You. MCO 3.0 Lockdown

Missing nature. More than people.

Today is the first day of another nation-wide 'lockdown'. 

Everyone agrees this is a necessary move to limit the free movement of our people, who otherwise would be visiting friends & relatives in the tradition of Hari Raya. It is due to this that Hari Raya clusters were started, sending unprecedented Covid-19 cases and casualties through the roof. 

Prior to this lockdown, there was a previous one which was too lax and taken too lightly by the masses.

Nevertheless the last MCO 3.0 prompted me to write a poem about my missing the forest. 

It was in late April during the start of the South West monsoons. (I was keeping it in the desperate hope that it'll age better like fine Burgundy)

Missing the Forest not the Trees

Thunderstorms & Rain, Days & Weeks on end.

Missed the outdoors & the trees.

Addicted to solitude in my cave, I yearn to walk in the forest 

Rain & wetness grows incessant.

Saw a window of evening sky free of rain.

Still wet from day long drizzle, the twilight inviting

Pulled my pants and my spirit on & out the door and onto the premises I went

How I have missed the road, trees, and flowers waning in the muted twilight

I am once again one with nature bathed in the swaying embrace of the trees 

Lining the perimeter they all reach out to greet me, shower me, swathing me.

Forests too far, the nearby trees I take for granted, beckon & cheer me on.

Hugged & kissed by the shrubbery, the rows of majestic pines, the phalanx of erect ashokas.

All along the walkway they line, as if for the first time, I walk with new strides.

Blessed & thankful. I am.

Lockdowns and lessons from the past can now help us be more aware of our situation. 

We know how to take responsibility for our selves and our loved ones. 

We know that by avoiding unnecessary travel and contact with others can help flatten the curve. 

With vaccination efforts being scaled up nationwide, we should reach herd immunity by August. 

Now that is truly something for all of us to look forward to.

Have a Happy two weeks of Lockdown everyone. I'm enjoying it already.