By Elise Danielle Machrone*

The pandemic hit, the world shut down
What should do stuck in my town?
At first we smiled, gave high fives
Nott knowing how long we we’d be trapped in our hives

One case, two cases, three cases, four
We wondered how many more?
My grandma has Covid, does yours too?
We didn’t know what to do

People at home cooking new foods
In hospitals a national emergency ensued
I was cocooned in numbing silence
Doctors tried to understand pandemic science

Restaurant dining’s not resumed
College lectures only Zoomed
Get tested, vaccinated, boosted too
What’s all this supposed to do?

So now we’re here
Still much to fear
Will we ever get out?

What matters is, we must have trust
Pandemic life’s not just a bust
We’ll adjust to this interim life
So those at risk can have  a life

The pandemic hit, the world shut down
What is life if we simply drown?

************************

About my poem: The world was not prepared for this pandemic. This piece highlights the struggles of the unknown, from the initial excitement for students who saw school cancelled, to the parallel journey between those stuck at home, bored, then despondent, and those working busily in hospitals around the clock. With all this going on I wanted to portray how important it is to accept pandemic life and continue to be grateful that we still have this beautiful life to live.

Author Bio: Elise Machrone, a Los Angelino, is currently a freshman at the University of Washington on the pre-med track. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach with friends, taking her French bulldog, Mika, on hikes through Runyon Canyon, and cooking unique food.  Her passions for writing and photography fill her spare time.