Poetry – Shiffat Shahriar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

BEHIND THE MASKS

Faces are all now hidden by masks
But each pair of eyes speaks volumes …

The compassionate eyes
of the COVID-19 warriors
Intent to save lives always
Even if their own is on the line …

The stern eyes
Of the policemen out on the roads
Tasked with maintaining lockeddown
Even if it means risking their own life …

The cautious eyes
of the delivery boy
supplying essentials
As if his own life is not essential …

The darting eyes
of the lawbreaker
Looking for a chance
to break out somehow …

The pleading eyes
of the migrant labourers
wanting to leave somehow
and reach their homes anyhow …

The bored eyes
of the youngsters
Glued to TV
But mind wandering …

The helpless eyes
of the mother
Trying to keep the
family together …

The irritated eyes
of the WFH workers
Forced to be there
Yet not there …

The curious eyes
of the child
Wondering what’s this
fuss all about …

The benevolent eyes
Of God up there,
The only Unmasked One
Watching the goings-on!