My Artificial World

I remember not long ago  

the sunshine upon my face

as I walked along park trails

full of wild flowers, and the

laughter of children playing.

Then the virus struck, and my

once Idyllic life turned upside

down. Now, my world has

become surreal and artificial.

I now hide within the confines

of my abode from the merciless

enemy which lurks invisibly in

the world I once knew.

Even going shopping has changed.

People seem nervous and on

edge. I quickly buy what I need

and retreat back into my electric

powered world, where my TV

informs me about the latest

news on humanity’s deadly

nemesis.

Meanwhile, people are losing their

homes and getting evicted because

their jobs have all gone under, and

people suffer and fall ill and then

tragically pass away. My heart is 

torn and tears fill my eyes for my 

fellow human beings, as I pray 

for my friends.

It is now the beginning of

summer and the beauty of the

spring has bid us its farewell.

But alas, the beaches are empty

and so are the swimming pools

and restaurants and nightclubs.

Even my home away from

home the public libraries are

now closed, and I mourn for 

the books I love so much.

As I enter my front door the 

air conditioner welcomes me

and advises me to stay inside 

as the whir of a fan creates a 

breeze which belies the heat 

outside.

Within my solitude my 

phone rings, constantly with 

the robocalls of scammers and

telemarketers, and the texts on

my cellphone offers me the

latest in online sales.

But I yearn to stroll into a real

mall with shoppers surrounding

me like busy bees in a hive. 

With the laughter and joy and 

of smiling faces.

Ah, those were the days, but it is

only within my imagination that

my old world still exists. Now,

I pray that my fridge and stove 

do not break down and that

the water and electricity which

power my artificial world

doesn’t fail.

Hopefully, in the future someone

will find a cure and put an end to

the horrors of Covid-19. Perhaps life

may even return to the way it was

before?

Until then, I will continue living

within my artificial world. But,

I shall continue to dream, hope,

and long, for a return to the old

beautiful world I once knew and
will always cherish!

F. Solis 2020

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