I am waiting for the day

I am waiting for the day When masks and gloves are no longer items on my shopping list When I can greet a friend without a care in the world Unflinchingly and with unadulterated joy And not with elbows and fists! Have started abhorring those parts of my body! I am waiting for the day When Social distancing, Virus, Pandemic, Outbreak, Quarantine, Contact tracing Super spreader and Isolation Are all just bitter memories To be sealed and buried. I am waiting for the day When schools are living institutions once again Abuzz with Teaching, Learning and engagement With cheerful kids and vibrant classrooms With teachers and taught- deep in discussion. When lesson plans can be executed to perfection With spirited collaboration and engaging experiments Making the topic come to life I am waiting for the day When connections, microphones, and cameras Stop hampering the flow of everyday education And hindering progress. When a pat on the shoulder Or a shake of the hand Make that friendless pupil feel welcome & accepted And then there are those special pupils Who thrive on tenderness, and care Who need smiles, hand holding &tender hugs. Who flourish when persuaded, coaxed and cajoled To forget their fears and insecurities While joining the mainstream I am waiting for the day When teachers can teach fearlessly And pupils can learn from the best Mentored, guided, and counselled As they always did I am waiting for the day When newspapers are not just depressing sheets of paper Where rancorous politicians spew forth Their venom on seemingly insipid opponents Why can’t good news sell? Must headlines always be depressing statistics of rapes, murders, and death? Don’t we deserve better? I am waiting for the day When I can pack my bags and travel To where and when I want To relax, unwind and not be worried About getting stranded in some foreign land Unable to return to the place I call home I am waiting for the day Just like you are.