The day we come out of lockdown

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The day we come out of the lockdown,
I won’t wake up to the usual silence
engulfing me.
Instead, there will be signs of life
on the streets, finally.
A few dragged up shutters,
the familiar smell of fried eggs,
smoke curling up from roadside eateries,
90’s hits on the radio, and
glasses brimming with hot tea,
served with a smile.
The daily joggers will say hello,
in heavy breaths
and for the first time in months, the lonely
parks will again become a child’s paradise.
Clouds of dust would swirl up the alleys
against the sunlight,
from all the enthusiastic sweeping.
Sure, normalcy won’t return overnight.
But, these tiny sounds would continue to grow.
A few blaring horns, drills on the walls or
the church clock keeping time.
These are the sounds of life.
Daily wage workers will again walk miles,
only happily, as their buildings
had been waiting to continue their journeys
towards the sun.
Suddenly, you would again have to stop
at a traffic signal, while the daily rush,
however accustomed to the eyes
would be a welcome sight.
No doubt, your dilemma would still
poke its horns in each step you take,
but we shall be bound by a shared hope
that the idea of a hug long overdue
or friends gathered over a pizza
isn’t too far away.

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