Author: Reena Saxena

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #139

PROMPT #139

Quarantined Thoughts

All the world”s a stage, And all men and women merely players…..This was said in the context of the seven phases of man. The journey of each man has a sense of perseverance. A one Act Play explores Man’s willingness and courage to walk in someone else’s shoes, playing contrasting roles.

Roles and Players

1. Character :   Mrs. X    Age : 45 years    Gender :  Female

2. Character :   Maid Y   Age : 30 years    Gender :  Female

Act 1  Scene 1

The curtain rises to a sunny Monday morning in Mrs. X’s residence.

Mrs. X is pacing back and forth, glancing at the clock from time to time. Mentally making a list of chores to me completed before heading off to work, she mutters to herself, ‘ It’s an hour past her usual time, why isn’t she here yet?’. She is referring to her Help, Maid…

“Winged Victory” is a watercolor and ink painting by Fran McGarry

My Transgressive Prescription

In our tribe, from birth we’re taught
Follow has its time and place
Strength in herd will save your skin
Bend the knee and serve with pride
Safe we’ll be, but are we free?

Bound with threads of should and ought
Shrug them, soon you’ll find disgrace
Couched in terms like bad and sin
Punishments will be applied
Thoughts with wings in quarantine

Fear not independent thought
Box is meant to be the base
Step outside the lines and win
Rules were meant to be defied
Soar with joy-affirmed vaccine

Sparked by need to reach my kin
Comes from heart that’s been inscribed
Writ for all with eyes to see

Reena Saxena is the host of Reena’s Exploration Challenge.  Reena says:
Quarantined Thoughts is the theme. It is not necessary that the words are used…

When thoughts suddenly play hooky

then words are apt to go belly up

uttering incoherent sibilant whispers

they willingly withdraw into wilderness

called by a god, maybe!

you then become inured to vacuity

still you grieve, getting your knickers in a twist

you believed thoughts were at your beck and call

writing was your well-deserved privilege

oh, what a shame!

solitary confinement does not help

nor does seeking inspiration from other’s work

the brain refuses to comply with orders

you risk teetering on the brink of going beserk

you strain yourself, work up a frenzy

however hard you may try to coax

thoughts are in no mood to comply

content to curl up in suspended animation

and you end up feeling like a hoax.

VJ’s Weekly Challenge #99: privilege

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #139

It’s been a challenging time in many ways. Being at home, for me, isn’t all that different to the time before quarantine.

My anxiety at going to the shops has increased. There was the initial fear of contracting the virus, an additional worry when I considered I was one of the people ‘most at risk’.

But so far, so good. Though they do talk about a second wave and therefore I feel I need to be as vigilant as ever.

I did miss the going to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Though that was aided by the cafes being closed and so there wasn’t much alternative. I cook a lot anyway so that just meant cooking more.

I did find it intriguing watching people adapted to staying at home. One friend posted a theme in their house for each day and that was entertaining in itself as they went to a…

who will liberate
from the confines of darkness
my quarantined thoughts

In response to: Reena’s Exploration Challenge # 139

just a pallid sway
pinned above my eyes
a few feet away from sleep.
The spider, freed
from itself, but what remains
trembles in design, a web
ungathered, more akin
to a limpened fist.
There is no air here,
no gust, yet it moves,
moving within
sight, moving,
swaying

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Written for Reena’s Exploration Challenge #139

Reena is the host of Reena’s Exploration Challenge

Reena’s Exploration Challenge #139

PROMPT #139

Quarantined Thoughts

is the theme. It is not necessary that the words are used in the piece. Your interpretation or reflection on the words is enough.

~*~

Keep safe

Stay away

Wear a mask

Wash your hands frequently

Maintain a safe distance

Instructions

Delivered by those

Who are concerned for our safety

Who want not only us but our loved ones safe too

Those who know the facts and are acting responsibly

Why don’t we listen

To the voice of sanity and reason

Willfully ignored because we can’t be bothered

We are either arrogant or ignorant

Of the danger that lurks in the shadows

The result is all too evident

The infection spreads, no containment

Prolonging the need for isolation

The folly of some costing precious lives

What’s the price of a few weeks of quarantine