Pandemic Spring by Lockwood Education

AN ANTHOLOGY OF WRITING AND ARTWORK FROM THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE

WELCOME We, in the National English Honor Society Oaxaca Chapter, welcome you to this anthology of writing chronicling the COVID-19 pandemic and the response of young people to it. We are truly thankful for the support and interest from students, schools and teachers from all over the world. This support means this anthology represents unity in times of trial: not only within the Oaxaca chapter of the NEHS, but worldwide. As a team, we are delighted with the result and amazed by how many young people have been willing to share their creativity and support others, even if they are thousands of miles away. Thank you all, and welcome!

Alejandro Castro Salazar President of the NEHS Oaxaca Chapter

FOREWORD Writing--imagining content and form; reaching for clarity, complexity and accuracy; creating something tangible from simple ideas; embracing the processes of defining, refining, and reflecting— these are tasks writers and artists embrace, at times with trepidation, as they put fingers to keys, pen to paper. I recall Shakespeare’s lines from A Midsummer Night’s Dream: “And as imagination bodies forth / The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen / Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing / A local habitation and a name” (Act V, Scene 1, ll. 14-17). What sparks us to create? How does “imagination” bring forth, ultimately, a “shape. . . a local habitation, and a name”? The creative process, accompanied by hard work, produces quality in writing, in art, in teaching, in learning. The National English Honor Society (NEHS) members of the Chapter in Oaxaca, Mexico, certainly embraced the challenges of hard work as they put in motion the dream of creating a literary magazine that captures “reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic,” not only from their own experiences but from those of peers from around the world. This magazine reflects the contributions from myriad nationalities, submissions from Latin America, 3

Europe, Asia, and the United States. The responses reflect, I believe, the fears, anxieties, hopes, and dreams of the world community, the international voices of writers and artists who, collectively, are facing a common enemy. In some ways, the pandemic has led to a universal bond among all nations; the Oaxaca project has provided a vessel into which the writers and artists have poured their sweat, tears, and joys. Stephen King, in On Writing, shares this reflection: “You can approach the act of writing with nervousness, excitement, hopefulness, or even despair—the sense that you can never completely put on the page what’s in your mind and heart. You can come to the act with your fists clenched and your eyes narrowed, . . . Come to it any way but lightly. Let me say it again: you must not come lightly to the blank page” (106). The writers and artists represented in this literary magazine, and the Oaxaca Chapter editors, share honestly their “nervousness, excitement, [and] hopefulness”; the worldwide “family” of NEHS salutes this accomplishment. Congratulations!

David Wendelin Director of the NEHS

THANKS As always, in these cases, the people to thank are numerous but I will try to mention as many people and organizations as I can within this limited space. Firstly, a huge thanks to all those who submitted artwork, essays, poetry and prose to this anthology during a time of great upheaval and stress for people around the world. The quality, and quantity, of submissions that we received superseded our ambitions for this project and showed us that there is a community of talented young people around the world who are using the lockdown and quarantine periods for creative expression. Many thanks to the National English Honor Society Oaxaca Chapter board members for taking a lead on this project, reviewing and proof-reading every submission, and proof-reading the final typeset document. Without the effort of Alejandro Castro, Jose Carlos Revilla, Ghana Ines Chavez, Romain Sanvoisin and Gigi Martinez this anthology would not exist. Thanks, also, to David Wendelin at the National English Honor Society for his constant and consistent support for all the activities we do on behalf of the NEHS in Oaxaca. 5

It is important to remember the efforts of the NEHS Oaxaca 2019-2020 inaugural board to establish the Chapter and prepare it for the successes of this year. Finally, many thanks go to Instituto Blaise Pascale in Oaxaca for hosting the NEHS Oaxaca Chapter within the school. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Christopher Lockwood Advisor to the NEHS Oaxaca Chapter

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Ghana InĂŠs Miroslava Chavez Garcia

Alejandro Castro Salazar

Georgina Martinez Gracida English

Jose Carlos Revilla Cervantes

Romain Sanvoisin

CONTENTS Featured Artist

Maria C.

Lockdown

Ivana P. A.

Untitled

Mia S.

Shrouder

Gina A.

A Play

Abigail M.

The Corona Chronicles

Rinisha R.

Survival Poetry

Hannah E.

Untitled

Nora T.

Poetry and Pros(e)

Atessa A.

Untitled

Druthi B.

COVID-19

Simon M.

Riots or the Spread?

Madhulika U. 52

The Lonesome Moon

Stefania C.

Mother Nature

Pratyaksha S. 56 10

Untitled

Kayla W.

When you aren’t there

Alan L.

Night Sugar

Aya T.

The Girl who Lived in Hell

Emma T.

The Little Window at 221B

Ashley V.

Untitled

Jess C.

Isolation in Oneself

Saranya M.

In the Deep Forest Green

Ulis B.

Silent Thoughts

Melissa Y.

Coronavirus

Ende Z.

Loss and Gain

Zhenxin C.

101

Day 325

Maximilian M. 106

I’m trapped…

Emma E.

110

Goat’s Milk

Isaiah B.

118

Stand with Family

Isabel L.

121

What’s Good for You?

Valentino S.

122

What’s Good for You?

Milagros L.

123

FEATURED ARTIST Maria C. Coronavirus has affected my outlook but has also provided me with different points of view, new things that make me feel inspired. I have had to change my sources of inspiration and become more introspective. Now, I focus more on tiny details, on memories, on the true beauty of everything. There has been a big change in my artwork since the coronavirus pandemic began. At first it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easy, but then I realized that art is everywhere, and that is what has been inspiring me to continue painting. @mariacabreramartin

Mariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artwork can be found throughout this journal, on pages 24, 41, 51, 58, 79, 88, 100 and 117

LOCKDOWN Ivana P. A.

Whilst pondering quarantine, I came up with the idea of this visual poem in an effort to express the need for positivity in a challenging situation like the one that we are all facing. I appropriated a real-life image that depicts sadness and changed it in a way that expressed how difficult moments like this pandemic, can be opportunities for personal growth and happiness too.

UNTITLED Mia S. When I think of the word ‘challenge’, I think about a personal problem that I have to overcome in order to continue to succeed in my life. In the past couple of months of quarantine that I have experienced due to the outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19, I have realized that the challenges I faced didn’t just involve me, but everyone around me. It’s very difficult to think of other people during this stressful time because you just want everything to go back to normal. I wanted to always hang out with my friends, go shopping, and even get back to my normal routine of playing sports. I would always make excuses and say, “Oh well, if I go out just one time it’s not going to hurt anyone,” but after saying this three or even four times, then it becomes a problem. I didn’t realize how much my selfishness could affect others besides myself. There are certain challenges we face every day that will affect the people around us, as well as the lives we live in the future. If we really take the time now to follow the necessary precautions to avoid spreading the virus, then one day our lives will go back to normal. The biggest challenge of being responsible with self-quarantining is actually following the rules. Instead of thinking that you can do whatever you want 15

because the virus is unlikely to affect you, think of those around you whom it does affect. A lot of people think the rules are meant to be broken but in this case, the rules are meant to protect the people who are most vulnerable to this sickness. When going to a store, wear a mask. People think they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the coronavirus so they refuse to wear masks, but actually, the masks are meant to protect the others in the store from your germs, those who may be at more risk of suffering severely from the virus. This is the challenge of thinking about how your actions will affect people around you instead of just yourself. Another big challenge that is commonly encountered during this time is the ability to make sacrifices. After about a month of quarantine, I was eager to get back to the routine of hanging out with my friends. There were things I really wanted to do but decided against them. I was willing to sacrifice seeing my friends for a couple of hours in order to protect people in my family who are more at risk of suffering from Covid-19 than I am. This ability to put others before yourself can make you feel better as a person as well as save numerous lives. The last thing that people don't seem to think about is the sickness itself and how contagious it is. Some may think they aren't putting anyone around them in danger because they themselves are asymptomatic; they may not even realize they have been exposed to the virus and can pass it on to others. Take precautions even if they seem unnecessary. All that I ask is that you take a moment and consider the challenges you face in your everyday life that affect other people because it will make a difference in our 16

world and can ultimately contribute to the return of our normal everyday lives.

SHROUDER Gina A. I’ve been running all my life. Ever since I could comprehend the world around me, I’ve been running from one thing and one thing only; He’s a shadow, hiding in spots you’ll never find. Even in broad daylight. He doesn't have a name, but I call him the Shrouder. I’ve tried to fight him but you can’t have light without dark. I’ve tried to hide, but you do not hide from a master of being hidden. But the Shrouder is not what I want to avoid, It’s where he takes me; The darkness. It covers everything, the darkness. It thrives and feeds on my thoughts and loneliness. Nothing good grows there, all living things that get stuck there

either die or get corrupted twisting and decaying into something horrifying and unnatural. I’m not sure if the darkness affects anyone the same way it affects me. A lot of people tell me that I think too much for my age and I wonder if the darkness is the byproduct of it, if that’s why the Shrouder targets me. I have always wanted to ask the ones whose abundance of thoughts isn’t as great as mine if they know of the darkness. If they can see it, feel it. I don’t think a lot of them can. I doubt they have even seen the Shrouder. They have never seen the Shrouder’s ebony top hat. The trench coat he wore enabled him to be almost invisible in the shadows. His pale papery green skin felt like a corpse when touched. His eyes are his greatest advantage. They are the colour of the black hole that resides in space. Once someone looks into them, they cannot look away. I do not know why he can hypnotize someone like a siren stalking a sailor, but it is how he kidnaps me. The Shrouder has taken me to the darkness, but he’s never been able to keep me there. I have always been able to fight him off. I have only been in the darkness for a minute, but time in the darkness runs differently than the normal world, a minute in there could equal a minute or a month or even a year in the normal world. Despite the fact I was there for a short time it still has gone to my head. It’s suffocating in there. Everything becomes numb, so numb that all I want to do is feel something. My whole life becomes 19

a standstill. I may have always managed to escape, but even when I’m back in the world I call home, it’s not easy after feeling the darkness’s stabbing influence. Sometimes the Shrouder lets himself only be half-hidden from me. To remind me he’s still there. Watching, waiting for the moment I slip up and he can take me back to the darkness. A few months before the pandemic, I did so well running. I kept myself busy by doing track, doing hobbies, and hanging out with my friends. I did not even notice the Shrouder. All the activities enabled me to keep my thoughts at bay, I rarely felt lonely. I think it weakened him. I did so well, I started to consider that he would go away. I started to hope for a life where I did not have to run from the Shrouder or ever have to go back to the darkness again. Then a word rarely used started to become a common thing to say; COVID-19. When all the stores and restaurants closed is when I knew I was in danger. I knew everything had to shut down for the safety of everyone if not, there could have been a lot more death. I wanted to enjoy not going to school and just relaxing, but he was always close by.

Quickly, I started to run out of things to do to keep the Shrouder out. I was alone with my thoughts which lured him even closer. I did not make it past March, One day he was close enough that I was again immobile when he locked eyes with me. Before quarantine, the longest I was ever in the darkness was a minute or two. During quarantine, I was there for a month, maybe longer. Before quarantine, I could evade the Shrouder by keeping my head away from him. During quarantine I was stuck in a box that was filled with thoughts screaming in my ears, it was a cakewalk for him to get to me. I thought I would never escape, that I would be there forever. Then the green phase came. People could go to more places, even eat somewhere. I could finally do things again. I could finally keep the Shrouder away, I am now fresh out of the darkness and it feels good to be in the light, the normal world once again. I am afraid though because only two things happen to live things in the darkness; They either die, Or evolve and twist into something bad enough to survive the darkness,

And I am not dead yet.

A PLAY Abigail M. As the lights gleam, we all scream. Watching the main theme. Let's all gaze upon the dancing spectacle. Though the performance sometimes causes pain, we continue to see it quite respectable, but again and again we have to remind ourselves we must abstain. From joyous pleasures of fine arts? From happy saints that warm our hearts? From little things that keep us from falling apart? No! From hasty giants that scare us to death. From scary objects, that makes us lose our breath. From wobbly things that suddenly project! Little things that cause us death! Don’t you see? These are the things that drive us mad. The tumult that clears us from all the glee. Don’t you see? Don’t you see?

THE CORONA CHRONICLES Rinisha R. June 2020 “Get up! It is 2 a.m.! We need to pack our stuff and leave!” I opened my eyes, stood up, and stripped almost everything from my room. My friend was yelling from the phone, “I am here! Come to the hideout spot. Wait… remember to wear your mask and gloves and a bottle of hand sanitizer. I have a whole pack. She might see us so cover your face!” I picked up my suitcase and packed a box full of disinfectant spray, a bottle of hand sanitizer, soap, a comforter, a pillow, and a box of water bottles. I wore my blue mask and pulled up my brown hair. I wore sanitary, transparent gloves, and tied up my purple shoes near the entrance of my house. I carried my suitcase and sneaked towards the backyard door. I flung it open and ran away, regardless of looking back at the sweat and pain. I had to leave my family because I knew they would be attacked if I stayed there. I ran, ran, and ran that I did not care if it was a hundred or a thousand kilometres, but I was able to reach Ariel’s car in the middle of the road. Sitting on the driver’s 25

seat, we drove to her boathouse. “I don’t have my license though. Do you have your keys to the boathouse?” “Of course. That is our hide-out spot, so whisper.” I hesitated to drive on the I-285 highway because I have never driven there. “I do not have much practice. I’ve lost touch.” ‘Screech’ Ariel and her seatbelt flung forward and went back to her seat. It was almost like a slow-motion action film but using Isaac Newton’s third law of gravity: “Every action has an equal reaction.” This action, however, was when I braked suddenly in front of a BMW. The reaction was when someone got down from the car. Ariel knew exactly whose eerie shadow it was. Ariel spoke softly, “We are dead. One of the most dangerous viruses is out there to get us…” Watching the figure carefully walk towards us, I froze, reminding me where and when it all started. “Corona…”

March 2020 ~March 13, 2020~ On my last day of junior year in high school, it was also an early release day. Everyone was happy with their friends and were hanging out at the coffee shop nearby on the campus. I was lonely yet I never cared. I was only worried about my physics test that day as I sat with Antonia on the bus. “Fue un clase AP?” “Sí, es la clase de física.” I used some of my prior Spanish knowledge to speak with her because she was raised in Pamplona, Spain. I stood up and left some way for her and mine was the last stop. The bus was empty as my heart, I got off step by step. My mother opened the door for me, and I gasped, “Why are you at home today?” “Come, watch the news.” I only heard words pouring intensely from the reporter’s mouth. Before I could set my backpack on the sofa, “Governor says schools are closed for the year. A serial killer on the loose. More than two hundred thousand deaths. The Governor’s message is to stay safe and cover your face using masks, so she does not identify you. He says that he does not have any identity of how she looks but this is a guess based

on a witness.” The image on the screen was pale and round, like a porcupine, with tiny hairs sticking out. The feel of it just disgusted me. “She could be anywhere, so be on the look. If she looks at you right in the face, she will throw poison on your face. Governor also says that you should wear gloves because she could have infected anyone or anything with that poison of hers. According to the post-mortem of one death, it has been proved that she was killed by touching an orange after the serial killer had left the store based on the witness and some blurry video from the camera at the market which shows her piercing poison into the oranges.” My mother turned off the TV and sat down in depression. “You are very sensitive. She is the virus that spreads and the reason for this pandemic. You better stay in quarantine. It is not good cycling outside at night anymore.” With her deep Indian accent, she did not speak the best English, but her words seemed like the best advice. I chose to listen to her. The next day, my mother was screaming her guts out. “Wake up, wake up! It is 11 a.m. and you are still sleeping.” I stepped down carefully and heard some major news that my father was watching. 28

“Death rates are constantly increasing, and we have seen no improvement. For the first time in history, the Miss World Competition has stopped and…” ‘Ring, ring’ “My iPhone has the worst ringtone ever.” “Who is that calling you at this time?” I purposefully ignored my mother’s rants and attended the call. It was Antonia. “Hola, la corrida de toros ha sido cancelada!” “Who is that?!” My mother was never going to leave me alone. Suddenly, I could hear a breaking noise and “Ahhh!” Antonia was screaming so I dropped my phone and ran to my car. I drove the car to Antonia’s house and the door was flung open. I entered through the front door and Antonia was there poisoned to death on the floor. I called the cops and the cops arrived in less than a minute. The police took me into custody as a witness at the police station.

“So, ma’am, did you see anyone at the dead spot?” “No, she had called me to tell me that the running of the bulls has been cancelled.” “The running of the bulls?!” “Yes, it is a tradition back at her place, in Pamplona, Spain.” “For the first time in history!” Then a man in a black uniform with a gold star pierced to his chest, gleamingly said, “It was for sure Corona. The poison matches.” “Okay, you can go now. We will call you if we need further information.” “Where were you? I had told you not to wander outside, what if Corona had seen you.” It seems like the police did not inform my parents and I just realized I drove the car to my house at 11 p.m. “I’m tired. Wait, how do you know Corona.” station.

The officer had mentioned this name at the

“It was on the news. The serial killer left her identity card near the poisoned oranges at the market. Her name’s Corona. “Okay, I am going to sleep. I have work tomorrow. And you do too,” my mother fell asleep. 30

I sat on my bed and then laid down on the pillow and tucked in my comforter. It was sunshine. My brother was in the other room and had come to see me. “Why were you babbling at night?” “I was talking in my sleep?” “Yes, something like Corona means violence and death.” I shook my head. “But thank you for letting me know.” I went down, looked at my phone, and I was not lonely anymore. “Ma, quarantine has made me famous.” There were tons of students from my school trying to interact with me through Facetime and iMessage, asking me how to get protection from the Coronavirus. The news popped and my father was sitting on the same sofa. “The number of Corona cases and deaths have increased. Some have been saved at the Southview Hospital and there are still some Corona patients. Seems like Corona is a deadly killer on the loose, so people have called her the Coronavirus that spreads death. Governor reminds you to stay safe and 31

wash your hands. This is Shea signing off.” There was one factor that I realized ever since quarantine. People have begun to use more entertainment than ever and engage themselves with friends remotely with technology nowadays. “‘Breaking News: The girl finds Antonia, a Corona death case!’” My classmate, Ariel, called me through Facetime. “Hey, I heard you found Antonia! I am her best friend. She called me to say that for the first time in history, the running of the bulls had been cancelled. And ever since these protests and the serial killer being on the loose, being a young black woman, I have been completely shattered.” “What do you mean?” “When we were on FaceTime, I saw Corona coming into the house and shooting poison at her face and she fell and dropped the phone. I was yelling, ‘Hello!’ Then Corona saw me right in the eye and said, ‘I am coming.’” “Oh no! We should leave immediately. I am coming to get you.” “No! The night is the right time. It will take her night to figure out where I live.” “You need to vacate your family here to my house or she will kill all your family members.”

“No, I have told them to wear masks and gloves while they are sleeping, but she has seen my face. We have to take revenge for our friend’s death. We need to leave at night. I have a hide-out spot. At night, we will go there and plan Corona’s death.” “All set. Send me your hide-out spot. Pa, what happened?!” My father fainted and was laying on the floor, speechless and pale.

April 2020 It was my birthday month, but it didn’t feel like a birthday anymore. According to my father’s post-mortem, Corona poisoned him to death and my house had become a police site. Due to my father’s death, I was destroyed and depressed, so I told Ariel to set the plan off for about a month. When it was my birthday, there was a cake that my mother bought me, and we celebrated it as an incomplete family. I was in quarantine, but I did not have to worry about having a party or inviting people. However, I worried about taking revenge on Corona for the number of deaths she has produced. It was the day where I called Ariel and she picked up. Before she could say a word, I immediately jumped up and said, “We are doing it today.” She replied cautiously, “I will pick you up at

the Corner’s Road. We will go to our hide-out spot then. It is highly confidential. And also, Happy Birthday!” “Thank you so much, you remembered.”

Present: Juneteenth ~June 19, 2020~ We were under our masks so there was no way she was going to poison us. I pulled the reverse gear and I could see her shadow spin. “Ariel!” Ariel had opened her mask and… It was too late that Corona pierced the poison through the window. Suddenly braking the car, I parked it in a single spot where I could see her shadow clearly. I reached to the back of my luggage and held two bottles of disinfectant spray. I sprayed it on Ariel to let the poison dry off. “It worked, Ariel, you are alive! This disinfectant spray kills Corona’s poison. Make sure you wear your mask and never take it off! We need to preserve the disinfectant spray.” I got down and I stood precisely parallel to

Corona. I couldn’t see her face clearly at night, but for sure could see her small-figured shadow. When she almost was about to take off my mask, I sprayed disinfectant spray on her. “What?! Nothing happened. Why isn’t the poison dying off?” Corona was blind and was coughing her guts out, then I realized that the poison repulsed on her. It took time for the poison to die off, but Corona was still alive. The aerosol bottle had drained out, so I wanted to take more bottles to traumatize her. Before I could, she pulled my hair and I landed on the floor. Corona stared at me right in the eye and shed a small bottle of poison on me. Ariel screamed my name and sprayed two bottles of disinfectant spray on Corona and her bottle of poison. It was blurry and I could not open my eyes. I had no idea how to protect myself at this time. All I knew was that I wanted to bring change: Ariel and other African American women should gain equality and should be free from racism and people should realize the importance of staying safe at home. My culture, my identity, and my ethnicity have led me through a world of competition. I have broken my shell to realize the impacts of Coronavirus: unemployment, racism, education barrier, psychological and mental depression, lack of fitness, decrease in population growth, lack of daily routine, and people have begun to come out of their comfort zone. I have realized that there is a world outside of standardized tests, grades, scores, and just plain

numbers, and criticism for not being perfect. Now I knew that one standardized test was not going to change history. It was COVID-19 that changed history worldwide.

SURVIVAL POETRY Hannah E. All together we must stand strong Spend the precious times with your family And enjoy what can be lovely Call your relatives and your friends Before those important relationships could take ends Take time to enjoy all the little things The small things and the pleasure it brings Everything just comes and goes and Everyone is going through highs and lows Together as a community We should stand and show solidarity This situation should make us all aware 37

Of what is going on and let us be fair And whatever it will need for us to cope We need to hold together and keep the hope But most importantly of all, Be safe, be brave and do not fall! Stand strong against COVID-19!

UNTITLED Nora T. Gentle waves, a playful breeze Things I almost remember And a song Someone sings Like a flame, warm and tender Surrounded by the black of night Stumbling through the shadows Stuck in a daze A purposeless life I hope, I wish to remember Far away Across the blue Glowing dim as an ember Things my heart yearns to know Songs I long to remember 39

For now I hear A distant land Calls me, draws me towards it To dance with the waves And sing with the breeze, the songs I used to remember.

POETRY AND PROS(E) Atessa A. Deaths due to Corona There was an old man in a bed, Who could not stop messing with his head, A cough here and there, Quickly became his last breath of air. The poor dead man in a bed.

Medical Staff There was an old nurse, Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for others was so yet adverse, She begged for a mask, That was too much to ask, That resourceless old nurse. Time for Relaxation

There was a young man that was stressed, Soon, his office was blessed with a guest. “Corona, is my name, Go home boy, don’t play the dangerous game.” That suddenly relaxed young man.

Social Isolation There was a young woman in her bed, Whose fear was widespread. Thirty-degree heat, yet I’m trapped, Like a present, in paper wrapped. That forlorn young woman.

UNTITLED Druthi B. There was a ruthless virus that killed So many started to cough, it thrilled No one knew what to do The virus said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the next one is youâ&#x20AC;?, That ruthless virus that killed.

There was an old man that chilled, He could not work because he was unskilled, The virus came And ate his brain, No one noticed what happened to the old man that chilled.

There was an old man that had a pet bat, He fed it nutrients and a rat, One day the bat flew in his mouth, 44

Neighbours said it flew south, The man who ate the head of a bat.

There was a fat lady that ate a lot, In 2020 the Corona arrived and whatnot, Whenever she went to the store and shopped She couldn't buy many groceries, and the eating stopped. The thin lady that could not eat a lot.

There was a man who was addicted to in store shopping, He saw a shoe store, there was no stopping, Then one fine day the Virus arrived, And the shops closed, he was store shoppingdeprived, The man, now addicted to online shopping.

There was a sleepy girl who arrived late to school, She constantly broke the eight oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clock rule, The virus told her to scram,

She was finally on time for the first lesson exam, The virus that helped her not be late for school.

COVID-19: A PANDEMIC CHANGING PEOPLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LIVES Simon M. Corona. No, of course not the beer, but rather more the COVID-19 virus. It affects everybody's life, in one or another way. Maybe when going shopping, meeting friends, or even just going for a walk in the park. A lot of those things didn't work at all or just with limitations. Corona affects everybody nowadays, and especially older people are in danger. The Corona virus changed peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives in several stages, which were not always too great. The Corona virus first appeared in January in China. Due to the late reaction of the countries and their medical supplies, the virus spread quickly from one country to another, infecting and killing thousands of people. In February, countries started to act on the pandemic, by starting a complete shutdown. Nobody was supposed to leave their house except if it was necessary. Children stayed at home instead of going to school or into the kindergarten. People didn't go to work, or even lost their work. Distancing

restrictions started, which stated that people were supposed to keep at least 1,50m to 2m distance from other people, and that they should wear masks whenever they encountered other people. The complete shutdown of the countries meant that there was no chance of meeting friends, or other neighbours. School mostly continued via email work, or online schooling. Hygiene regulations stated that you were supposed to use anti-bacterial spray whenever you went shopping or somewhere where you would touch an object which other people touched beforehand. It was a very long time, which meant that people were not able to see friends or family members who do not live in the same household. But the complete lockdown also had one advantage. Number of infections due to the corona virus decreased in a lot of countries which had a good medical system as well as lockdown regulations. Those countries turned out to have between 0 to 300 new infections per day in mid-June. 300 might sound a lot, and it is, but there are countries who are worse off than 300 new infections per day. Those countries then have up to 7,500 daily new infections. Luckily in most countries, the number of deaths caused by the virus were not too large and decreased quite quickly. Sadly a lot of countries still have deaths every day. A lot of those deaths happen due to the weak medical system which countries have. Around the world, counting all countries together, there are around 10 million 48

infections in total, 480 thousand deaths, and 5 million cured people. There is one more problem which people fear at this moment. A second wave. There is nothing more frightening than having a second wave, especially when knowing that the first wave isn't over yet and already caused 480 thousand people to lose their lives. But will there be a second wave? Yes. The second wave has already started in one country. It started in China, in Beijing. But why? The second outbreak happened in a food market. The main problem was that people were standing close to one another. If there was even just one infected person who coughed, a lot of people near him would have been infected. Something similar happened in china. A few people were infected, without clear symptoms, and a lot of not infected people that went to the market, were in the end infected by the virus. This happened due to the fast loosening of the corona restrictions, as china had reached the lowest amount of daily infections the fastest. Finally, people ask themselves when the coronavirus pandemic will be over, or at a minimum infection state. Well, that is pretty unclear. All these different stages of the virus, the complete lockdown with only small loosening of the regulations, and now the second outbreak in china donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really seem to predict that the virus will disappear suddenly as fast as it has appeared. Scientists which have researched and

worked with the coronavirus, predicted that the virus infection rate will be reduced to a minimum by the earliest of beginning of 2021. Due to the fact that the pandemic affects each of us, we have to stick to the regulations, or else there will be no stopping of the infection rates of the coronavirus. Working together is the only way back to a partially normal life. Therefore, be safe, well, and stay home.

RIOTS OR THE SPREAD? Madhulika U. What matters And what does not Who cares And who doesn't Why does it matter For this wretch is on the loose The world is dangerous Yet people still wander On the streets On the lanes Shouting all day For what is most important now The spread or the said

Why can't this end now

With one click of a button People do not see What really lies ahead Many have suffered And many have died This havoc only causes scope For this beast to rise

THE LONESOME MOON Stefania C. She was in self-isolation, too, And wearing a white mask as she passed us The stars were in close proximity to her Yet she found herself alone amidst the universe She waders like a lonely cloud That floats high over the valleys and hills Dancing alone in the breeze of a warm day Lone moon in the sky; So lonely, so full of imperfections Suppresses waves beneath the sea And the emotional suffocation Of which it wants to flee There was no one to accompany her Not even the howling wind That screeches its way past the deserted trees

She resented those that left the silence A wicked-kind of silence; So deafening that it frightens her She keeps her distance, not acknowledging us, Not acknowledging him, the sun Still in the chaos of the morning His grace still finds her Once she saw how peaceful it can be Her soul was entangled into it The moon holds company with herself so scared That even if she is alone, She is whole.

MOTHER NATURE Pratyaksha S. Not thinking for a second We spent each moment Savouring each second Just living in enjoyment

Looking inside So peaceful and happy Looking outside So dull and nasty

Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all over We scream when we see There is no do-over Just a wailing Banshee

We said we would bare Care for each other We forgot to take care Of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest mother

UNTITLED Kayla W. It was the beginning of spring and I had just booked my ticket to Italy. I was so excited to go because I had recently been talking to an old friend who had moved there and had been living in Italy for almost a year. After talking to each other for a month, he finally convinced me to come visit him in Italy. On the 15th of April I packed my bags ready for my adventures. The flight was an exhausting experience, but finally I landed in Rome. With renewed energy I disembarked and hastily made my way to the waiting buses which I thought would escort us to the Arrivals Terminal. As the bus turned away from the Terminal gates, my heart lurched and the other passengers looked warily around. When I tried asking the driver where we were going he just told me that we were going to a safe place. I started to worry, but after 20 minutes we arrived at an old church somewhere in the city. After we had arrived, staff from the church dressed in white ushered us off the bus and into the waiting area at the front of the large stone entrance. We were all seated when a man with a bushy black beard wearing a suit made an announcement. He said that we had to stay in the church for 2 weeks because a deadly virus was 59

going around. He had called it something like corona. He advised us that we all had to get checked out and stay in the church for 2 weeks and after the 2 weeks we were going to be sent straight back home again. I was terrified, sad and worried all at the same time. What was this disease, would I be OK, how will I let my friend know what was happening? I had to stay in a church with people I didn't know and be tested for a virus that I hadn't even heard of. A day had passed and I had decided to roam the church to calm my nerves. I had already been tested and they said that I was still healthy but that I needed to watch myself and stay safe. After wandering for about 10 minutes I found the church's library. The hushed silence of the library calmed my nerves, I let out a long deep breath as I walked in. I was greeted by a kind-faced nun who said that I was allowed to look around as much as I wanted. The library was mostly filled with books that were in Italian so I wasn't able to read anything. After spending around 30 minutes in the library I was finally able to find a book that was in English. It looked like an old diary. Gently I opened the book to the first page and read that it had belonged to a British Reporter by the name of Harry Rivers. When I started to read the diary it was about his travels around Europe and what he had seen. After reading some of the diary I had gotten to a page that talked about him in Italy. I was intrigued so I wanted to read more. I asked the nun, who was the librarian, if I could take this book to the place where they had set up for 60

everyone to sleep. When the nun said I was allowed to, I went to the room and sat down on the old creaking camping bed and started to read.

Dear Diary, 1/02/1918 Today I'm traveling to Italy to investigate the sudden deaths of over 100 people. Many of my colleagues have told me not to go because it was dangerous, but why would I listen to them when I could get a story of a lifetime? Italy here I come! After reading only a page I was already wanting more. I wanted to know if he had gotten there safely and if he had gotten the story of a lifetime? I couldn't just stop, I had to continue on.

Dear Diary, 5/02/1918 I was able to interviewee 2 people whose loved ones had suddenly died. They said that they were having common flu symptoms before they had passed. I wonder if this is a start to something greater.

Dear Diary, 10/02/1918

I have been feeling ill, but when I told the doctors about my symptoms they sent me away. I am now in the church where over 50 people who have also been feeling ill are staying. I have continued with my research and found some very interesting facts. I'm not sure what to do, but I have a strong body and I will get over this illness quickly so that I may return home and write my story. When going to the next diary entry and looking at the dates, he hadn't written in his diary for more than 2 weeks. I wanted to know what had happened so I continued.

Dear Diary, 28/02/1918 Today is the last day of the month and I am still in this wretched church I want to leave but the nuns and doctors won't let me. They say that I am infected with a virus that they have named the Spanish Flu. I'm stuck here and not sure when I will be able to leave. I just want to go home, I don't even care for the story anymore, just let me out. After reading his diary entry on the last day of February it started to remind me of my situation at the moment. It was as if history was repeating itself. The feelings of fear and depression were becoming overwhelming so I decided to stop reading and take a break from the diary. A couple days later there was a huge panic. Everyone was lined up and we had to get

tested again. As the nurse was taking my temperature I asked her what had happened and she explained that one of the passengers who was in the church with us somehow got infected with the so-called coronavirus. After explaining the situation she calming patted my arm and with a warm smile said that I was ok. Even though I was safe and healthy I still feared the future. To try and ease my nerves I decided to lose myself in the dairy entries once more.

Dear Diary, 5/03/1918 It seems my symptoms have gotten worse. The coughing won't stop and breathing has become extremely difficult, as if I am being suffocated with every breath. My body has become tired and I have started to struggle to leave my bed. I fear for the worst but the doctors are doing as much as they can.

Dear Diary, 7/03/1918 After being stuck in this church for more than a month I have finally made a friend. He said that he is from Austria and was visiting relatives, but suddenly became ill and was taken to the church, his name is Lukas. He has given me hope, I feel like I will be able to overcome this sickness and return home.

Dear Diary, 9/03/1918 Once again I am alone in this cursed church Lukas has died! He slipped away in his sleep in the bed right next to mine. I am saddened with his sudden death, but I hope he is finally in peace.

Dear Diary, 12/03/1918 I feel as if today is my last. The pain has become unbearable so much so that I am unable to leave the bed. I just wish this sickness will take me now so that I no longer have to suffer. I am alone, and scaredâ&#x20AC;Ś. After reading his entry on the 12th I did not see any more entries. I had started to panic, thinking that I would end up like him, forgotten in this same church and dying from a deadly sickness. I broke down into tears while searching through his diary trying to find at least one more journal entry to see if he had really just died unhappy and in pain. After looking impatiently I finally found an entry close to the end of the diary. I tried to see if there were anymore but this one seemed to be his last. Before reading I decided to clear my head and prepare myself for what I was about to read. I wanted to take a walk around the church to calm the fear eating away at my insides like a parasite. When walking I found the confessions booth. Even though I am not religious I

decided to go in and speak my mind. The pastor was inside and told me to confess to all my fears. I ended up breaking down into tears and confessing the doubts I had with coming home safely and being healthy. After an hour of talking to the pastor he was able to calm me down and give me encouraging words to calm my nerves. The next day after feeling a lot better I sat myself down and started to read.

Dear Diary, 15/03/1918 Why does God punish me this way? Others pray for life but I pray for death. Why can't I go and leave this wretched world and finally be at peace. I have nothing to go back to in England. I had been given a letter yesterday saying that my mother had died from a terrible illness, I had cried, but thought that if I die now that I will be able to be with her again. Before I had feared death but now I am ready. Ready to leave everything behind and be with my loved ones again. If I do not die today I will make sure I do. Today will be my last. So I bid farewell to this cruel world and welcome a paradise that awaits me. After reading the last entry in the journal I felt desperately sad but I was not ready to give up. After finishing the diary I decided to pull myself together and stay strong until I was able to return home.

On the last day of the Quarantine they checked everyone for the last time, we were all healthy. Hallelujah! We packed our meagre belongings and waited outside the church for the bus to collect us. While waiting for the bus I could not help but think back on what Harry Rivers had gone through and to be honest I can't help but be grateful that I didn't have to experience the same thing he did. Unlike him I was able to return home. Before the bus arrived, still waiting with my suitcase in my hand, I heard a distant hoot and shout. Slowly I turned my head and heard my name being called. It was my Italian friend, Goergio. He had been looking for me for two weeks and finally found me. I was no longer alone and sad. I was so grateful to be alive and healthy.

WHEN YOU AREN’T THERE Alan L. The photographic series "When you aren’t there" tells the fictional story of a father and his son, during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the basic premise is confinement, being there for each other and using time for artistic creation, for having unforgettable moments, for laughter, hugs, dancing, love: enjoying every moment within the confines of our home. However, we are not always aware of our actions, of what we do, and where we are going. In this series, the raw side of not being with the other is highlighted, “When you aren’t there" speaks of insecurity and the lack of awareness we have about COVID-19. It tells us of the vulnerability of children in this situation and that sometimes we do not take the care that is necessary. We must protect each other in order to be in the future because, as in "When you aren’t there", the memories will only be in photographs and the happy moments will be tinged with the sadness of absence.

NIGHT SUGAR Aya T. Feeling unlucky during catastrophe is universal. Even under covers, with packed stomachs, the sky hidden by a layer of cement, or tiles, or plaster, like icing. We find it hard to breathe. The night is so black and the silence so humid it stays on our skin, but after surviving my entire childhood in the city, I know at least that a dense blanket of darkness is needed to reveal where the stars are.

A sheet of shadows freckled with grains of sugar, how lucky I am to have the time to look for clusters of luminous plasma despite the blinding headlights of cars. And yes, no nebulae or asteroid could ever triumph over the sound of your laugh climbing up your throat when we are in the same room, but we have hours stored to 73

braid each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hair, later and then check the oven for rising bread.

Meanwhile I will spend the minutes with you on the phone, and soon a bar of soap has melted into my hands because time runs so hurriedly when your brain is focused on absorbing the words of your friends. The clouds shift away, and you run out of pages. I will wait for the day when we glance up with the same grass itchy on our backs, hoping to see more.

THE GIRL WHO LIVED IN HELL Emma Marie T. Hi, my name is Isabella and my world was flipped upside down. I went to school this week just like any other week and I went to my first class which was science. Science was my favourite subject and I also get to see him in science, Noah Greenhill. His eyes sparkle when he looks into the sun, his eyes are brown but with a hint of green. He is tall and skinny but not too skinny and he also plays basketball and football. The worst part about liking him is that he does not notice me. Then I sit down right next to my best friend Mia whose eyes are as blue as the sea and her hair is black and straight, she wears a lot of makeup and is super pretty. She looks the same with or without makeup. The downside of having a friend this pretty is that Noah likes her and she likes him and I am so sad. Once science was done then I met my other best friend named Ava and she is also very beautiful. She has long light brown hair that almost touches her waist. Her skin is snow white and she has a lot of freckles on her face. She is tall and skinny. “Hey, Ava how was math class?” I asked. “How do you think it

was Bella?” They call me Bella for short. Then we went downstairs to go and play on the playground and then we heard our principal say, “We need to have a meeting in the GMR all MYP and DP come please.” I thought to myself how strange I wonder what is going on? Then we all go up upstairs and Ava is saving us a seat. We all sit next to each other and then, the principal walks in. She looked very overwhelmed and stressed. I wondered what was going on and you will never believe what she said. She said, “school will be closed for three weeks due to certain circumstances.” What circumstances could she be talking about so I then raised my hands and asked her “what circumstances?” She said, “there is a virus going around and you have to be quarantined.” What inside my house and not be able to see my friends, yeah, no way! We then left and we went downstairs to wait for our parents. My mom then picked me up in a black BMW with tan seats inside and she said, “how was school?” I just looked at her and rolled my eyes and then looked outside the window and saw people wearing masks. They were all different colours some were blue and some were black. After the long car ride, we finally made it home and I ran up the stairs making sure I made the loudest stomp known to man. I then slammed my door and jumped into my bed and all I wanted to do was scream but I couldn’t. It has been a week since then and I can definitely say “welcome to hell.” It feels like I was in

kindergarten trying to figure out how school works again. I feel alone and trapped. It feels as if I am in prison I feel chained up and all because of a little virus. On top of all of that, I am a moody teenager wanting to lash out on my mother! The online classes don’t make it any better. The next class I have is math and I hate math but Noah is there and he makes it a little better. We are doing a maths investigation but we have to do it in partners and guess who my partner is, Noah! I turned to my left to tell Ava and then I remembered I am alone with no one to tell. Then I hear my parents fighting, what? My parents are fighting. I hear my mom say, “What is wrong with you! You know how long I have worked for this! Now I can’t do it all because of the coronavirus!” What is my mom talking about? I don’t care anyways all I want to do is to go back to school so I can see my friends. It is the next day and I have to Facetime Noah for math and I am feeling very nervous right now. But he did not pick up the phone and I was wondering what that was all about. I did not feel like waiting for him anymore so I just decided to work on the math investigation and time flew by and before I knew it I was done. Then my phone rang but it was just Mia and she was asking me if I had finished and I said “yes” and that Noah did not even show up. Then she turned bright red and said, “I don’t know how to tell you this but Noah and I are together so we decided to do it together” What the heck is wrong with her so I just hung up. Then I called Ava to ask if she knew about them and she said

“that she did know about them and that she was very sorry” I told her to tell Ava that I will no longer be her friend and she understood and hung up. What is happening right now my whole life is falling apart! My parents are fighting and my friends are lying to me. I hate the coronavirus. It has been a month and I am still in hell all I can think about is how I am alone in this world and no one wants me. I am feeling very depressed and I do not want to talk to my parents because they are fighting. My parents have also told me that they will be getting a divorce and that is when I knew I wanted to end it. Today is my last day to live. I have thought about it for long and hard, and today is the day. I am standing on my window seal and looking at the ground. I never knew the ground was so far away and then I hear my mom coming up the stairs and she looks at me like she saw a ghost and then I jumped. When I jumped I heard my mom say “ISABELLA” I then hit the ground with a bit “thud” and then I heard the sirens of the ambulance. I thought to myself “will I make it or not?” “Have I made the right decision?” Then I took my last breath.

THE LITTLE WINDOW AT 221-B Ashley V. It had been 2 months since the quarantine started. The streets were bare and loneliness lurked throughout the square. A little old woman stared at the emptiness from the window of her room in the house 221B. She lived alone and had not seen a single soul since they announced it. She had called, texted and video called her family many times but grew all too tired of it all too quickly. Boredom. It was worse than loneliness. Or maybe it was because of the loneliness. The doorbell rang and the woman went to answer it. When she opened the door all she found were this week’s groceries and a letter. “Here are this week’s groceries! Hope you are well. Stay safe!” it said. As she kept the groceries away she thought of what to do. She was done with her usual routine of waking up, cooking, watching some TV, more cooking, taking a nap, cooking again and then finally sleeping. She stared at the lettuce in her hand. What

had life become? What had she become? Gone were the days of going out for a night with the girls to gossip. Gone were the days of actually spending time with her family rather than speaking through a phone. She sighed as she thought of her grandson. “By the time I’m out of here, he’ll probably be all grown.” She put away the last of the groceries and went back to the window. She thought for a while. She thought and thought. Then she thought some more. Finally, she concluded that the boredom must be having some kind of effect on her brain because, after all this thinking, she had completely forgotten what she was thinking about! Sighing she looked at the sky and noticed a cloud passing by. It was a bunny! She giggled and searched through the clouds for more. She frowned and realized there were none. She squinted and focused her eyes, but alas no bunnies. Instead, she saw a monkey. Or was it a bear? Then a ship, and every now and then a whale. She found it wonderful and decided to show her family. She took a picture of a tree floating in the sky and thought to herself “how brilliant” but when she looked at the picture it just looked like a cloud. Again and again, she tried but the pictures just showed clouds. Finally, she gave up and went to prepare dinner as the sun had long set. She thought of the things she had seen and how splendid it all looked.

“I must find a way to show my family.”, she thought and decided that if she couldn’t take a picture of it, why not paint it? And so the next day came and she sat ready at the little window. Paper and paint ready. She looked at a cloud and smiled to herself “Elephant!” and began to paint. First the head. Round, but not too round. Then she added two large ears and a trunk raised in the air. Satisfied she began painting another cloud, this time a teacup. And so the day went on. Painting one cloud after the other, only stopping for a few breaks and lunch. By the end of it, she had quite the collection of clouds. But they were not just clouds, they were so much more. The next morning she sent pictures of her art to her family and after receiving many compliments she went back to the little window. Today there were no clouds. Just the sky. But that made no difference to the old lady, for something else had caught her eye. A colourful butterfly was flying her way. She gasped. She had always wanted for a butterfly to sit right on her finger, but she noted today was not that day as it flew away to a patch of flowers. Instead, a ladybug had crawled onto her hand. Not knowing what it was, she squealed. But when she recognised the unique black polka dots on red and she laughed. “Did I scare you?” she chuckled. She played with the ladybug for a few minutes until it finally flew away. She waved goodbye with a

smile. For the next few days, she amused herself with small things such as these. They were not much but they brought her happiness. Each day it was something new. Sometimes she would paint the square as she had realised the stillness was quite beautiful or other times listen to the birds sing, often singing a tune or two herself. One morning, as she came to the window, she saw a person pass through the square. She had not seen an actual person for months and excitement filled her body. The person, however, did not stay. They had no reason to. They walked by, without even noticing the lady. But she had noticed. One person out meant more would be coming soon. And so they came. Slowly more and more walked by the square. Each day she saw them more and more often. The peace of the square had been disturbed but the little old lady did not mind. Now, there was even more to see. Often she would look at old friends meeting up, laughing and shouting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Distance! Keep a distanceâ&#x20AC;? or young couples seeing each other after many months. Each day another story and each day another smile spread across her face. She soon realised she was no longer bored and had not been for a long time. For who could be bored when there is so much to see, especially from the little window of the house 221B.

UNTITLED Jess C.

When the COVID story began, I heard many people talk about how difficult it is to be alone: not being able to get out, not being able to do things, not being able to hug each other, but the only thing I could think of is that the butterfly has to be alone in a cocoon in order to develop sufficiently to fly later on. The day will soon come when we can move together to the rhythm of the music and the wind.

ISOLATION IN ONESELF Saranya M. A warrior at heart; a philosopher in the mind. A magnificent rainbow was his soul, but everyone was colour blind. A hard-working, talented diamond in the rough, And all who thought he was happy, caught his bluff. When times got tough, he isolated his thoughts inside his head And finally gave into the voice that said he was better off dead. But heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not to blame for he strived hard; Held on until he could get no more scarred. But years of struggle finally broke him in the form of nepotism, Where tyrants held his future in their hands and induced terrorism. Treated as an outcast for his inferior prestige, He felt belittled and was used as a dog tied to a leash.

In a world full of people, he was all alone; Just a pretty face whose true identity, unknown. Stuck between four invisible walls, He juggled his emotions like juggling balls. With nothing but his own thoughts, It was hard to breathe with such tight knots. An inspiration to millions, yet he won no award. May his soul rest in peace, oh Lord. We lost an angel to the place above. Heaven is its name; a dome of love. Dear Sushant Singh Rajput, this is for you.. Legends never die, you will not too.

IN THE DEEP FOREST GREEN Ulis B. When I was a young man, I walked through the wood And whistled a sorrowful song. The trees all around me Were ancient and knowing And watched me as I walked along.

One fateful evening I caught something while walking But could not make out what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d seen. And there, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;twixt the rushes and Brambles and bushes Were two eyes of emerald green

Frightened, I ran Through the darkening forest Until I had lost my way. And try as I might, I could not recover The path that had led me astray.

For many an hour, I searched and I wandered Until I was shrouded in night. Then alone in the darkness, Shivering and fearful, My eye caught a pinprick of light.

She glowed and she burned In the dark twilight shadow, I felt her reflect in my eyes. With a finger she beckoned me to her; In her face there was no compromise.

The girl led me deep in the forest I followed, unwitting and mute We came to a clearing Where asphodels grew And the silence hung absolute.

I followed her into the clearing Where stood an ancient stone well. She drew up some water, But then, as I drank, She shoved me and inwards I fell.

I thrashed half-blind in the water; While drowning, all I could see Was the beautiful girl who had killed me. She looked down and smiled at me.

SILENT THOUGHTS Melissa Y. I opened my eyes and looked up at the blank ceiling. Time felt irrelevant as nothing seemed to change. I decided it would be better if I closed my eyes again and in split seconds I was surrounded by darkness. I tried not to focus on what I see and listened carefully to what I might hear. The only thing I was able to hear was the silence around me and it started to bother me. I opened my eyes and got up looking at the time, I had realized how early it was. I was confused about how I was supposed to keep myself occupied at five in the morning. I knew I should keep my mind from wandering because it would end up at a place which keeps me from sleeping sanely. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I changed my clothes and combed my hair, just for the sake of bringing back a sense of normality. I looked in the mirror and forced myself to at least put a smile on my face, this should lift my mood, at least that was what my mother used to tell me. There it started, my mind started to think about how I was home alone with my brother for the past 3 weeks and have not seen my mother a single time. My mother is lying in a hospital so far away from here, I would have to wake up even earlier to arrive 92

punctually. Even if I wanted to, I would not be allowed to. She is in strict quarantine and I would not be able to go and see her one last time. My mother was diagnosed with COVID 19 after she was exposed to a patient as a nurse. While she was receiving treatment, a lung embolism occurred and ever since her condition worsened. I sat down, as my mind started to wander to a thought I could never accept. What if the virus got the better of her, what if she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as strong as everybody told me? What if the last time I was able to hug and tell her how much I loved her, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t? This thought did not let go of me but how could it. My mother was my hero and best friend, ever since I was little. But more importantly ever since my father passed away. I never really knew my father as I was still very young, however, the memories and stories my mom used to tell me about him, made it feel as if he was by my side growing up. I walked into the kitchen and turned on the television and volume as I thought this might blend out the silence in the room. I took out two eggs and a pan and started making scrambled eggs. In the past few weeks I have been leaving the TV on in the background, so the silence will not grant my thoughts to become louder than they should be. As I was placing some bread in the toaster the news suddenly interrupted the show which was playing. I stopped for a second and I could hear the silence again. I grabbed the remote and turned the volume up even higher. More and more people have been infected by COVID 19 and my 93

breath stopped for a second when body bags and sick patients were shown. I turned the TV off and just stood there. The smell of burning bread tour me back to reality and away from my thoughts as I quickly grabbed the bread and placed it on my plate and sat down. I sat down in front of my food while I was thinking back to the beginning of 2020, the best year yet. That's what it should have been. I just graduated high school and was ready to go off study abroad and join my brother. Yet this year kept falling apart and I didn’t know how to make it whole again. Suddenly the phone rang and saw my brother calling. I hated hearing the phone ring, each time my heart stopped beating, fearing the bad news. I breathed in and out and answered. “How are you Jasmin?” asked my brother, he sounded very tired yet I could hear worry in his voice. “I'm alright, how are you? Where are you?” I asked him quickly, wanting to know why he called. “I am soon done with my shift, then I will come home. Jasmin, have you heard anything from mom?” he asked. I could feel my heart beat faster and I answered with a “no” and then there was silence. The silence which I loathed. The silence which allowed my thoughts to take over. “I also haven’t heard anything from her, usually she always calls around this time, she knows my shift ends at six a.m.” he disrupted the silence. I nervously asked, “Should I call her?”, there was a pause again. “No let her rest, we will call later, she might be asleep, I will be home soon, we can call her together then” he said and with this he said

goodbye and hung up the phone. I placed it down on the table, next to my barely touched food. I stood up and placed it in the fridge, my brother would probably eat it later anyway. I decided to draw something to keep my mind occupied. Before all of this chaos, I used to paint every day, it was the most peaceful time during the day, my thoughts and worries grew smaller and I was only focused on the stroke of the brush. I took out my favourite colours. There weren't many but I loved their texture on the canvas. I started sketching an old picture of my brother, my mother and I in our favourite park. As I was sketching and started to paint the canvas, time flew by and I heard a door open and shut. I stood up and saw my brother standing there, he looked very tired and sleepless but his smile made everything seem better. I hugged him and told him I would prepare breakfast if he wanted to but I could see his eyes were about shut any second, he just needed sleep. He went into his room and shut the door. I was left with silence once again. I went back to my room and continued painting. A few hours later, the phone rang. I jumped up and ran into the kitchen, I grabbed the phone and sprinted to my brother's door. I knocked but immediately opened the door. He was still in bed and looked at me all confused. He heard the phone ringing and got up immediately, I sat next to him and answered the phone. It was an unknown number and I held my breath. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hello?â&#x20AC;? we could hear a weak voice speaking on the other side and 95

I sighed. It was my mother. A relief came over me and so did over my brother, I could clearly see it in his face. As we spoke to my mom I realized how much I had missed hearing her voice. Even if it was just one day, the slightest possibility of never hearing her voice again breaks me every day. We talked for 10 minutes. I could hear her pain in her voice; however, she would never tell us if she was feeling unwell. She would always in any situation, keep a brave face in front of us. The thought of losing my mother was still there yet it grew smaller with every word I spoke to her. I wanted to briefly speak to her alone and left the room. “Mom” I spoke softly. “Yes sweetie,” she said, sounding tired. There was a question which I wanted to ask her so badly, yet I knew she would not be able to answer. “I just wanted to say I love you” I said quietly. “I love you too Jasmin and remember what I told you, never let your thoughts be the only thing you hear”. I smiled, I haven't mentioned any of my worries, but she knew exactly how I felt, better how I thought. I felt relieved and for the first time in the past few days my thoughts began to become silent. I brought the phone back to my brother and let him finish the conversation.

The load on my shoulders was suddenly gone and I felt better. I thought about the quarantine and COVID 19 and how easily my known life, our known life changed in split seconds. My brother came out of

his room, smiling and we sat down together in the dining room, turned on the TV and started talking about his work. I got up and heated the previous breakfast while he cut fruits. Meanwhile, I was no longer thinking about time, it was twelve in the afternoon and the sun was shining into the room through the open windows. I could hear the birds chirping and singing and everything seemed better. We sat down together and enjoyed a meal together. Thinking of our time together now and not about what might happen tomorrow.

CORONAVIRUS Ende Z. When the world was taken over by an illness, Everybody went out of business. Quarantined, with fear of meeting. With a fear of the virus spreading.

There was but one building still unclosed, The hospital, housing tens of thousands of sick. With the fear of getting exposed, Doctors and nurses run around quick.

Fully aware of the danger, They treat random strangers. Trying to save the life of another, While risking their own to the monster.

Fighting like firefighters, Trying to take out the fire. Or fighting like cops, Trying to arrest the mobs.

Who are we to not thank them when this is over? After giving us all they had to offer?

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LOSS AND GAIN Zhenxin C. Stop seeking for me in the desert’s hollow eyes! Admit it. I am merely a mirage now And you know it. Dimmed, swirled, distorted. Fire ramped, dusk faded. You lost me... Piece by piece.

Why don’t you spread your wings and leave? Accept it. Our nest is empty now And you see it. Pain lingers, tears burn. Alcohol crushes your chest; my soul begs you: “stop!”

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It numbs you… Drop by drop.

No longer am I your heart-filling affection Nor your starry night. Like a boat at the mercy of a storm, Darkness drains your faith. Let go, Or—— You will be engulfed by pain.

Far away, I was drowning in the sea of people. Far away, I was shattered in the dust of time. Forever yesterday, Like a leaf, Quietly I decay.

Nearby,

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Caring words dance on their lips. Nearby, They save you from the cliffs! The moon wants to illuminate your path. Refusal. You throw away its flashlight. The rain wants to moisturize your dry skin. Insecurity. You curl up tight.

O, my silly dear! How can you turn a deaf ear, And dive into the mist? How can you turn a blind eye, And in the dark you vanish?

When grey smog stains your soul, Bright colours burst from your heart. When old stories wail over your sorrow, New rhythms mark a start.

Hatred, grief, regrets, loneliness, and agony

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Choke you! Beat you! Drag you! Suffocate you. O my poor dear! So heavy that they make you forget how Peace, love, happiness, companion, and joy Strengthen you, Hug you, Bless you, Stand up for you!

O indeed, Though flowers wither, springs dry up, Don’t you sink in the past! Don’t lock yourself in the night, Step out of the void, Embrace the mighty sky!

Don’t mourn over me no more.

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O my foolish dear, I will be immortal in your heart—— If you move on with no tears.

Don’t fear the loss of loved ones in life. For you know what the greatest loss is... It is what dies within you—— When you are still alive.

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DAY 325 Maximilian M. Day 325 of quarantine. Zoe and I don’t leave the house much these days. We went for a brief stroll the other day, but we couldn’t get anywhere because traffic has never been this bad and public transportation is not available for us since we belong to group 3 of society. The government has divided society into three groups, with group 3 getting the least privileges as they pay the least taxes. We were supposed to move up to group 2, which would have given us more food, but as usual, we were disappointed because apparently we are “too young”. We tried to go shopping a week ago, but again food production has not resumed fully, and we are on our last supplies and consume the basic foods we receive. The government sent us an emergency package a couple of weeks ago, but we have used everything except for the medical supplies. Zoe asked the cashier at our local supermarket “when will water be back in stock?”, and he replied, “when we get a delivery, hopefully in two or three days”. After summer had passed, we didn’t really need as much water as we used to, but we only have about half a litre

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to drink. Social media and entertainment have been my personal escape from all of this. Well anyway, let’s focus on now and move away from my daydreaming. “Are you ready to go?” Zoe asks. I answer, “Sure just let me get my mask and my wallet, and then we can try to go get some local produce”. The market has some fresh produce, but most of the items are unavailable as the foods cannot be properly harvested as the thousands of harvesters are not allowed to enter the country. We purchased five carrots and one zucchini. Today was our lucky day because we even got a few strawberries, and we picked some cherries off a tree because we ride our bikes since fuel is not available. Ever since the government has implemented a complete shutdown, we still can get the bare necessities, but we cannot get enough food in order to feel well-fed throughout the months. People have stopped using cars as we cannot get enough fuel from outside the country in order to fill our cars up. The fuels are burned and used to generate electricity, so we still have enough water once a day to shower for 2 minutes. We cannot water our plants outside as the rest of the water has to be used for drinking, which makes growing foods from seeds nearly impossible. The government gives us a total of 25 litres per day. We have used the water designated for showering to water our plants, but the heat has killed everything except for the tomatoes. The electricity produced is not sufficient to

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power internet for everyone so Zoe and I purchased a few books to keep us entertained. We even ordered a short newspaper which we receive every two weeks. Because we have been spending so much time together, we have realized that we have slowly drifted away from socializing and have moved to digital socializing. We haven’t met up with any of our closest friends, but as my friend Matt always says “a better time will come. Sadly we are not allowed to leave our house much. Ever since the second lockdown was forced upon the people, we have lost a lot of our hope for a better future. The police patrol the streets and I have to leave the house with an ID and a signed form which allows Zoe and I to exit the house to purchase foods and medication. These minutes are most likely the most exciting minutes of our week. Masks and gloves are mandatory whenever we get to leave the house, so the government has issued additional 50 euros per person every month, designated to purchase masks, gloves, and disinfectants if only it would be available. Money has been abolished completely as the financial crisis has resulted in major inflation. We have received little chip cards that can be used to “purchase” one loaf of bread, some milk, cheese and butter, and a few vegetables contact-free. But again, we were disappointed and had to find out that the foods are not available regularly. Gladly we had stocked up on dry foods, so we can still get nearly a quarter of our necessary calories daily. The government is constantly adjusting local regulations, 108

and we were able to meet some of our friends a week before the second lockdown was implemented. Sadly, infections went up again, so we receive daily letters telling us what we are allowed to do. The current situation is so chaotic but slowly we have come to realize that the only thing that we have is our friends and family, even if we can only see them virtually. Glady, we are both healthy but if the situation continues we will not be healthy for long.

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I’M TRAPPED… TRAPPED WITHIN MY OWN MIND Emma E. My name is Laila Jones. I live in the United States of America. To be more specific I live in Atlanta. I go to a public school, I have a loving family, with my mom, my dad and my sister. Some might say I live a perfect life and please don’t get me wrong I am extremely grateful for everything I have and the things I get to experience. However there is something that most people don’t know about me. I suffer from a mental illness known as anxiety. This anxiety has caused me to hurt myself and starve myself or overeat at times. The reason I have not really told anyone is because of the way people see my life. As I mentioned, many probably think my life is more or less perfect, but there are a lot of things these people don’t know. One of these things is my mom's history of alcoholism. Honestly, I think it has scarred me for life. Since I was very young my mom has had an alcohol problem. Since I was about 10 years old I had to help her throw up, this also meant cleaning the mess this might have caused. I had to cook for her at times and

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make sure that she was alright. In summary I had to grew up quickly in order to be her parent. My dad was often on business trips and since my sister was older than me she was at college most of the time my mom was alcoholic. Even when the both of them came home to visit on occasion, she was fine, or well at least acted like she was. They both just thought that I was being a little dramatic about her having one or two glasses of wine. I felt very left alone that whole time. Nevertheless even though alcoholism is a disease that will never go away, my mom has been a lot better the last few years. I am extremely proud of her, but is it wrong of me to still feel sad and hurt? Her alcoholism triggered my current mental state. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to blame it on her or any one in general, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what else to say or do. Not only did her illness cause wounds, but it also left them open for other people to spread salt into them. When I started middle school, I was often worried about my mom and if she would be drunk when I come home. Due to this I was often a little weird and anxious around school. My classmates were very observant and noticed this. Quickly I became someone who was easy to pick on. They started bullying me. Even the few friends I had, did not feel like friends anymore. I think another reason they started picking on me was the fact that I was a little overweight in middle school. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blame them for that to be honest.

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I hated my body more than any other person. I had been trying to take care of my mom and totally forgot to do so for myself. I also started stress eating a lot. My diet was not healthy in general. Even though I was a child and it was not really supposed to matter it did. It did to me, but I did not know what to do about it. For a long time, I just accepted the fact that I was ugly and overweight, but then something changed. I started to have a “small” eating disorder. Of course this is not a small matter and no matter in which form, a girl, boy, any child or person should not be in such a state at all. However I believe that there are surely people that suffer from this illness more than I did. What happened to me was that when I was in 7th grade I started hating my body way more than before. I often stopped eating. I would always tell my parents that I stayed in school late to study and do homework, so that they would let me eat lunch at school. The thing is that never happened. They gave me money to eat, but I never did. I started running after school and I also signed up at my local gym. I worked out way too much. I was never at a point, where I was “way too skinny” as our community says, but I did lose a lot of weight and I did become a lot skinnier than before. You might also think that this means my stress eating stopped, but it didn’t. I was fighting against both sides of eating disorders. On one hand there might be anorexia and on the other being overweight, but I didn’t even know where I was on 112

that scale. Some of these things, I have talked about have overlap on a timeline, but one thing that was always part throughout these years were my panic attacks and myself harm. No matter if I look back at the time my mom was drinking, the hard times in school or whenever I was not happy with myself, I can always see the panic attacks. I have had countless ones. None of which my parents or my friends knew about. Most of them happened in my room, some did at school as well, but I guess that only happened when I could really not control it. There have been many unforgettable ones, but one that made me feel very bad was one I had a couple of weeks ago. I had just had a very bad fight with my mom. I don’t even remember what really happened, but I must have been very upset, since I could not bottle my emotions up anymore. I don’t actually remember much from the panic attack. I just remember that I went upstairs to my room. Banged my head on the door three times on purpose, while starting to feel tears falling down my check. I stood in the middle of my room after closing the door and I just started crying hysterically. I couldn't breathe. My body felt heavy and then the next thing I remember was that I was laying on the floor. I didn’t even notice my body fall; I didn't even notice the pain. I guess the only pain I felt was the one in my heart. I just stayed on the floor for a while. I realized that I was trapped. Not in my

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room, but within my own mind. I must have laid there for at least an hour, because when I tried to get up for the first time, it was dark. After that I think it took me at least half an hour to get up. My body felt heavy and I felt no motivation to get up. It was not like someone had come looking for me anyways. I guess no one cared, but I knew I had to get up. I had to get better even after all my wounds and scars. I hadn't had a panic attack like this one in a long time. I think the main reason for my sort of “step back” was quarantine. I had been inside for 3 months and even though I did not have many friends in school I still missed going. I know that the reason we are quarantined is in order to keep our loved ones and ourselves healthy and safe. However I don’t feel that healthy, at least not mentally. I had been doing better with my anxiety attacks and my self harming, but due to quarantine I had too much time to think. I started over thinking a lot of things from my past and one day I even hurt myself again. Hurting myself was the one thing I had not done for a whole year. Yes, I have had panic attacks and I have fallen back into my bad eating habits, but I hadn’t hurt myself in a long time. I was quite proud of that but looks like I fell back into my old pattern. I am aware that a lot of people cut themself in order to hurt themselves. However that is not what I did. I only made myself feel pain, I never wanted to commit suicide for example. What I used to do is difficult for

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me to talk about, but I will try. I used to create friction on my lower arm with my fingernail. This caused my skin to get burned due to the friction created. This was because of the fact that I would not stop until I saw my skin turning red and get small dots. It looked just like a burn wound. I barely have any actual scares left. I have two, but no one ever sees them. No one ever has. But after all this, where am I now? Who am I? What do I feel? Despite the fact that I had a little â&#x20AC;&#x153;step backâ&#x20AC;?, I have not done this for a long time and I understand that does not mean that I am back on square one. I have learned so many things on this journey. I have somewhat learned to love myself. I don't think I deserve to feel pain anymore. I am moving on. I am healing. I have learned to forgive others and myself. I believe that you can forgive people, even the ones that hurt you the worst, because when you forgive someone, it is more for you than them. It is to help you grow and become stronger. That is exactly what I think I have done. I have grown and I have become stronger, despite my past, maybe even because of my past. It might not always have been easy, but I am still standing here today and today I am happy. Today I feel like I can accomplish something. Today is a new day. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wish for anyone to go through what I did, 115

but if you are reading this and you are going through this. Please know that you are not alone. Please know that there will come better days. I promise.

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GOATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MILK Isaiah B. Batu inhaled sharply, the frigid Mongolian winter air stinging his lungs. The drop from the outcrop above was harsh, but necessary. He stood up from his crouching position from when he fell and cursed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Novsh!â&#x20AC;? he cursed, as his ankle sent up a jolting bite of pain. Batu clenched his teeth and ignored the pain, then surveyed the area around him. A light snowstorm hid most things when they would otherwise be completely visible from the high mountain view he had, but when he focused and squinted his eyes, Batu thought he could see a faint orange glow shining from part of the small gathering of large tents where his family resided. Striking a moment of unease, he shrugged his boar skin pack from his shoulders and checked that the painkillers and fever relievers were still on him. Seeing the bright orange plastic packaging made Batu breathe a sigh of relief, but he knew there was still some distance before home. Even though Batu was just 15, he knew the woods surrounding the peaceful valley he called home very well, and he also knew that there was a lot of danger associated with staying here in the night. An encounter with a snow Leopard, Mongolian boar, and even a wild mountain 118

sheep could prove to be fatal. Needing no further encouragement, he trudged on. Without a path to follow, Batu made his way across the sparsely forested mountainside carefully. The slightly steep angle of his path forced him to walk slowly and cautiously, but inside Batu was squirming to jog back to his family. He knew that every second his mother Gerel and sister Khulan did not have the medicine in his pack was a second they spent suffering under the illness called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Covid-19â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, at least by the city folk. Before departing his village to the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, neither he nor his family knew what ailments troubled his mother, but after his sister got infected as well, they had no choice but to send Batu to the capital to get badly needed medicine. From what he learned talking to his hired motorcycle drivers and fellow bus passengers, Covid-19 was, so far, incurable, yet he knew that the medicine inside his pack would at least help with the pain. Batu grinned, wondering how the city-folk of Mongolia could ever bear to call the stinky, tightly packed piles of metal a liveable place, then a cold blast of wind hit him from the side and he felt a wave of anxiety. Judging by the sun, it was late afternoon and Batu had scarcely covered half of the entire mountainside slope. He hurried his steps a little, ignoring the distant bleating of the mountain goats. It was all he could do to keep from crumbling to the ground in exhaustion and lighting a fire to warm the sweet goatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s milk he had in his pack. As he kept pace, all he could do was think 119

about how happy his father Ganbold would be when he returned, his proud face welcoming him home and congratulating him on his successful adventure.

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STAND WITH FAMILY Isabel L.

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOOD FOR YOU? Valentino M.

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOOD FOR YOU? Milagros L.

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COUNTRIES REPRESENTED Albania

Mexico

Argentina

Netherlands

Australia

Peru

China

Romania

France

Singapore

Germany

South Africa

India

Sweden

Ireland

United Kingdom

Korea

United States of America

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SCHOOLS REPRESENTED* Cathedral Catholic High School Colegio Alexander Von Humboldt IPEMyT No. 23 Lina Enea Spilimbergo de Unquillo Linganore High School San Silvestre School Shaler Area High School South Caldwell High School South Forsyth High School Strothoff International School Wesley Chapel High School *Not all submissions were accompanied by a school name.

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Pandemic Spring

Articles inside

Isaiah B

Emma E

Maximilian M

Jess C

Ashley V

Aya T

Emma T

Melissa Y

Alan L

Kayla W

Simon M

Abigail M

Shrouder A Play Untitled COVID

Rinisha R

Mia S

Gina A

Maria C

Ivana P. A