These times

~ paeansunplugged

The cavilling crescent cowers in a corner of the caliginous skies

cacophonous ambulances going nowhere

pierce the dead of night with wailing sirens

frantic, futile search for succour coming to a naught

vacant-eyed corpses carrying  casket-less corpses

to crammed, overflowing with cadavers, cremation grounds

despair and devastation running amok on empty streets

the stench of hopelessness making the air evermore putrid

guilt, at being alive at such times, chokes uneven breaths

life loses purpose during calamitous times.

88 thoughts on “These times”

  3. Absolutely heartbreaking. I feel this happens either with physical or mental health; you call and call and call, but who’s coming to help you? It’s the dismay in this piece that pierces my heart, and on a reread, it’s much more evocative and devastating. You write this beautifully.

    It’s also good to see you back, Punam. We’ve missed you. I hope everything is better or will get better with you and your family in such hard times.

    Much love going your way. ❤️❤️

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      2. I agree. The situation was compounded by the government’s lack of preparedness and the general public’s letting down the guard. On top of it, it was a very virulent strain. Entire families were wiped out.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Reblogged this on and commented:
    A heart breaking account from one our blogging friends 💕

    “despair and devastation running amok on empty streets

    the stench of hopelessness making the air evermore putrid

    guilt, at being alive at such times, chokes uneven breaths

    life loses purpose during calamitous times.”

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

      1. Getting better, with all the therapy, finally. As for the book, I was rejected twice but will keep submitting. It’s just that I have other priorities now. I’ve had a hard time lately, like yourself. My mom, my kid, you name it. If only we could control things more.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I am so sorry to know about your mom and B. Hope things are better now. What a terrible year this has been!
        Take care, dear. The book will be accepted by a good publishing house… that’s my gut feeling.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Amazing and brings home how absolutely fortunate most of us here are… life is best celebrated humbly with awareness and without guilt, but that is very difficult sometimes for sure (I fail at it so often). I am so, so sorry if this is the reality where you live right now, but so very very happy to see you back again, Punam, and very much appreciated your previous heart-stirring and beautiful post as well. Much much love to you, your son and the rest of your family/community, sincerely <333

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    1. Thank you so much for your love and kind words. Things are better here but they were bad for the last two months. And yes, in such times being fortunate does make you feel guilty. One learns to appreciate what one has.

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  15. I am loving your use of a plethora of deep and intentional ‘C’ words! Yes, life loses purpose during calamitous times, but sometimes I think it is the crippling moment that gives us the clarity to see what we can do.

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  16. Dear Punam. Your poem rattles with the heartbreaking helplessness and despair of this pandemic. You use the sound of words themselves to create the atmosphere so masterfully, the discordance and the alliteration used so perfectly. “vacant-eyed corpses carrying casket-less corpses” 💔. This is an incredibly powerful and devastating image. This is haunting and tears at my heart but is a spectacular write. It’s so nice to read you again my dear friend, sending love ❤️❤️

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Rachel, it was terrible to be down with Covid and keep receiving news of people known and unknown succumbing to the disease. I had to channel the pain poetically. I am glad it is being appreciated.
      I must also add, I am so happy to see you here. Know that you were terribly missed, my dear friend. ❤️❤️

      Liked by 1 person

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  20. Feel every word and every sentence in this poem. And I want to offer hope and possibilities still – This too shall pass!
    The pain will go as we accept the present and move ahead towards conquering the challenge.
    Loads of love to you!

    Liked by 2 people

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  25. “life loses purpose during calamitous times”, I have often pondered about this especially when you read about, see the destruction around you. These are hard times, really and terribly hard but after every storm the sun rises. I am holding onto that hope and I pray that we all learn our lessons.

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