The Long Walk

'Hunger, fatigue, thirst. Which one will get me first?'

'Hunger, fatigue, thirst. Which one will get me first?'

The long walk
Livelihood shut, food scarce, virus scare.

You view: news, Netflix, Sensex
and tut-tut about the migrant crisis.

I walk
A pot or two bundled on my head, I walk.

You worry: housework, kids at home
groceries dwindling, sanitiser levels dipping.

I walk
The sun scorches, feet calloused, and I walk.

You try: new recipes, new poses
Vitamin C, hot water gargles.

I walk
Lathi raised, disinfectant sprayed, I still walk.

You play: songs, board games
Cards, any kind of time-pass.

I walk
Village reached, entry closed, I stop.

You video call: Singapore, UK
US, you care for them all.

Nowhere to walk,
Hunger, fatigue, thirst
Which one will get me first?

Zarin Virji is a school leader, teacher trainer and writer.

Featured image credit: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

This article went live on April fourth, two thousand twenty, at zero minutes past twelve at night.

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