Walking Each Other Home

He sneezed and suddenly the world stopped in its stride
Piercing looks, like daggers drawn, aimed towards his frailty
As the stream of particles escaped his nostrils, the bazaar was aghast

Presumed a public outlaw - no jury assembled to brand him as one
He sensed many moving away at his sight, as if a leper from the middle ages
Their eyes lowered from shame at their own triviality even as they walked hurriedly away

Having lost his partner of three decades a fortnight ago he was still raw
A disease much more deadly had eaten her up from the inside
His heart still soft from the pain that her tumors had caused

“Let me take that from you Sir” the woman, her sea blue-green eyes full of compassion
She quickly moved the cart forward to a safe distance and waved him to follow
The woman had been an isle worker till last month, now suddenly a front liner

Mother Nature what kind of ailment is this I wondered
A disease that makes peoples’ pantries full but their hearts empty?
Hoarding essentials while the need of the hour is to be essentially human

Within all the gloom there are rays of hope everywhere
A policewoman instead of a speeding ticket gives away her protection, a nurse gives his life,
Packages, food, medicine and hope being delivered by ordinary folks

I remain optimistic as there are still a lot many who continue to walk each other home....