No Entry, No Exit Poem by Lalithashree Ganesh

You can't come in.

Not today
Not tomorrow
Not for twenty one days,
Perhaps more.

You can't go out -
No.

You're afraid.
You're afraid you'll forget how the green grass smells
How the sky changes colours
How the dogs run in packs
How the river gushes to the sea
How the raindrops fall on your cheek
How your neighbours look...

You hide.

You hide
From the invisible.
No, not a figment of your imagination,
But the truth.

You hide.

From a truth that can kill you.
Invisible. Fatal. Ruthless.
With an army entire,
Imprisoning the world
With its infectious smile.
Entering your life
As you struggle to leave.
There's nowhere to run
There's nothing to hold.
Nothing but hope.

And now,
All we have
Is this moment.

All we have
Is each other
To stay afloat
Until the storm ceases
Until we reach the shore.

That's when we know,
With our feet on the ground
And a great big smile,
That peace is here

With open arms.