There's Something To Be Grateful For

there's something about the lockdown

to be happy about,

share a meal with loved ones,

take a sip of piping hot tea,

listen to the birds' songs in the balcony,

soak in the first drops of rain,

bask in memories of the smell

of rain kissing the parched fields,

enjoy the rainbow, 

before it faded in moments,

have a hearty laugh over 

how silly you behaved as a kid,

share pictures of lip-smacking dishes 

on whatsapp

there's something to be grateful for!

there's something about the lockdown

to be glad about,

the caravan of cars that inspire dreams,

the stories that the kids narrate,

mr. bean, peppa pig, 

krishna and chota bheem

the relentless chatter, 

until they blabber into sleep -

makes me wonder sometimes 

if they too were family.

there's a twinkle in their eyes,

a spring in their steps

as they lead me out 

to watch the full moon in glory,

and when they offered the broken binocular 

they made me wonder 

how they didn't miss the beauty of the moon,

despite the clutter,

there's something in them that inspires me,

and lights up hope once more, 

when heavens seem to fall apart.

there's something there to be grateful for!

there's something to cheer about -

having food on the table, 

and the choice of homemade desserts, 

so what if the stepping out has stopped,

sipping black coffee on my deck,

so what if I don't get the fresh brew 

of starbucks, or coffee day.

i teared up watching the families,

bracing for their fate,

walking for days,

smeared with smoke and dust

dried lips, empty stomach, sleepless nights

unsure where they'd get the next bread.

now, will you tell me

isn't there a lot to be grateful for?

© sashikant mohanty