2020 - the year of uncertainty

A year that numbed and stayed on my mind,

Gripped with fear and anxiety, something I may not leave behind.

The year 2020, a milestone for many, but a new learning to me,

While I turned 40, a new normal is what we see.

A virus they say, that shook the world,

Struggling with the unknown, inside we hurled.

An unseen monster is what it was called,

It was quick to spread and hard to be stalled.

To control the spread many have seen,

Lockdown mandates is what has been.

Stay home, stay safe is a widespread plea,

It was a time for vitamins, immunity and hot tea.

With symptoms that confused while treatments were unclear,

Home or hospital was a chance of fear.

The media shrieked, shortage of beds was definitely worrying,

But for our front line workers, everyday this battle was alarming.

Lime, turmeric, honey, spices and all,

Tips and tricks are plenty hoping to stall.

Washing our hands and sanitizing our homes we put our might,

We had waged a war with the virus for which we fight.

Vulnerable and risky is what they say,

Above 60 and below 10 within homes should stay,

But the virus sees no gender, income, religion or age,

Illness and death, it's a common stage.

A sad time for many, time for tears,

Jobs were lost, business had shut in fears.

The economy hoped to come out, slow but strong,

Small steps were needed with no scope for wrong.

Digital and online had a new meaning for you and me,

Schools and classes were online is what we could see.

Hiccups were many but learning was fun,

The kids missed all their time under the sun.

No longer did we stroll and walk away,

While we made memories soaking in the park on a sunny day.

The malls were empty, the customers were rare,

Shopping online and home delivery was a new kind of fair.

A gentle cough and sneeze to scare,

We no longer would bless instead we would glare.

The gym and pool is a tease to our fitness,

Home work out and home chefs is the new mantra we witness.

Our fashion mantra saw new sparks,

Though necessary, there was variety in masks.

Group Holidays and crowded parties are memories of yesterday,

Farewell handshake, hello Namaste!

Celebrations, wishes and work meetings through a video call,

Business and communication had evolved for all.

The simple hug and pat was almost gone,

The eyes will say it all, as your smile is masked, dusk and dawn.

Now we take nothing for granted, a lesson for me and you,

All this will be our new normal; we must accept and believe it's true.

A year we hope never comes back,

As we grapple with the new normal with every hack.