By Sandip Saha
PROMPT—During Covid-19 ...
I saw how much you can take on yourself
untiring in the adventurous tour we ventured into
RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests were appalling
before boarding every flight between the countries
we were trembling in fear before seeing test reports
since positive report was to detach us
from the rest and quarantine in the foreign lands
you were shouldering not only the burden of keeping
everybody’s test and vaccination reports in order
Iceland, France, Germany asked to fill up forms
for five of us before landing in those countries.
Out of blue, our fear happened to be true
your little son’s report came positive
we five were detached from others of the group
so much worried we were, what to do?
You boldly carried out the small child’s tests again
Hours passed we were waiting in hotel
while you were running from pillar to post to get tests redone
lest others leave for India abandoning you in lurch
how it was possible to leave you there in the foreign land?
The worried face of the small child was heart wrenching
The only hope was - the report should come negative.
Rest of the group started distancing themselves
went to Cologne, even the tour manager
deserted us for languishing, so inhumane!
Lastly you, the brave heart, won the war.
The report came negative.
Sandip Saha has published six collections of poems including Clashes in human life, “Petals and Chocolates, Trial of God, Loving women, Quest for freedom, and Lovely women spoiled women. Dr. Saha has also published 135 poems in 44 journals in six countries (India, USA, UK, Australia, Romania and Mauritius). He has won the Ukiyoto Literary Award, “Poet of the year 2022” for his poetry collection, “Trial of God,” the Global Scholars Foundation Bhartiya Sahitya Ratna, “Best Poet Writer Award - 2022, and the Poetry Matters Project Lit Prize - 2018. Dr. Saha writes from Kolkata, India.
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