
The world seemed calm but there was simmering discontent
Then the pandemic happened- one we could not prevent
The Pandora’s box of evils flung open, taking the world by storm
Like an erupting volcano, lava shot up to cause unprecedented harm
A shapeshifting virus has been holding us hostage for nearly two years
We try to claim victory, but each new variant brings fresh fears…
Pandora’s box did not release just the virus though
It brought all kinds of other miseries in tow
Social and economic inequality, the chasm between
The haves and have-nots no longer remains unseen
Power, greed, economic interdependence, global warming and more
Have all been brought by the pandemic to the fore
The fury of the natural world has been revealed
We have learnt the hard way the power that non-humans can wield
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When Pandora’s box had opened to release all the ills
An antidote had appeared at the end to kill
Some of the misery in the form of Hope fairy
Similarly the one redeeming feature of the pandemic one can see
Is Hope in action, to make the world a slightly better place
As the world collectively continues to face
The greatest disaster of modern times, Hope has remained
That one constant companion for those in pain
Hope has helped us create vaccines, search without pause
For novel treatments against the disease, because
We hope our resourcefulness will triumph one day
We’ve learnt to work in creative socially distanced ways
We’ve learnt a few lessons in humanity too
Coronavirus has become the great leveler, it’s true
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Each time Pandora’s box opens and havoc creates
Hope appears to carry us through, misery alleviate
With renewed hope, I visualize a better tomorrow
A beautiful dawn shall await after a night of sorrow