Quarantine Mia Skaliotis

Quarantine

1) How quiet the room is tonight For long ago it was filled with laughter Long ago it was filled with smiles Now, in the present day, it sits silently It’s been so long since it was filled with people 2) In the beginning we were happy We were happy with the news we would not return so soon Just a few extra days And we smiled Just a few extra days, right? 3) But those days have turned into weeks Those weeks have stretched into months And that once-happy idea of extra time Is bleak and dreary Just a few more days, right? 4) Now a year has gone by Our parties could no longer happen Our families could no longer meet And simple tasks are no longer so simple So many more rules, so many guidelines 5) And people have said we are all in this together So we are, so we are But where are those happy days When we were promised that extra break?

6) And I can’t speak for the world But I doubt anyone is happy now Even the people who used to say I enjoy being alone I used to think I enjoyed it too But not for this long Never for this long 7) It’s no longer a break It’s now solitary confinement And I understand why we must do it And I’m not going to disobey I will stay where I should be 8) But no one can stop me from thinking Thinking about those old happy days And yes, there are still happy days in this confinement But they are not the same as the old happy days They are not as bright 9) And now we sit in quiet rooms Away from the world Filled with tears instead of smiles Ringing with cries instead of laughter Just a few more days, right?

Mia Skaliotis