by B. R. GOWANI
touching, hugging, kissing, patting are all a part of daily life
I should correct myself to say they were a part of our life
the Coronavirus has changed everything at such a furious pace
that we haven’t yet found time to ponder over its impact
our bewilderment is fixed on exponential number of victims/deaths
26th March saw 712 deaths in a 24 hour period in just Italy
same day the United States surpassed China in number of cases – 85,268
Coronavirus is not only an epidemic but a pandemic, on a global scale
adding the tragic touch that the Coronavirus is contagious and deadly
maintaining a 3-6 feet distance and good hygiene can protect people
but once the disease is contracted the victim’s lone journey begins
if s/he is recovered than the loneliness of that person ends
but if not, than he’ll never meet his friends, family, and colleagues
will be cremated/buried immediately without any funeral services
none of the relatives or buddies will come to say farewell
no one will touch or kiss or hug before the beginning of the final journey
so painful, so heartbreaking, so sad, so inhuman, so unthinkable,
a solo farewell indeed!
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com