Volatile

Day 13 of the lockdown.
I only know days by numbers now.

Weeks have merged into each other
and I don’t remember what happened when.

When did I last hear
the soft thud of the shuttle
as the kids played badminton on the street below?

When did I last see
the balding portly man
on a walk with his golden retriever?

When did the news
last have a bit about anything else?

When did my worry
about being with my parents during the lockdown
give way to this acceptance
of distance like it is a mere number?

I did not want to hang on
to all of these memories
and I am happy I haven’t.

Day 13 of the 21-day lockdown​ in India​

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