I am from lockdown.
From quarantine,
And having to wear masks everywhere I go.
I am from distance learning,
Staring at Zoom all day.
All I want to do is lay down and sleep.
I'm from waking up at 7 and going to school with a mask on.
From turning on my computer and getting ready for school at 8 in the morning.
I am from not seeing friends and the little time with them online being cherished.
I am from everything closing down:
School — the only place to see my friends.
Workplaces — leaving millions unemployed.
Sports practices — the only place to do what I love.
I am from not being able to leave the house for months,
From fun vacations getting cancelled,
Going anywhere takes too much planning.
I’m from complete and utter boredom,
Being forced to listen about the “good old days”.
I am from online shopping on Ebay and Amazon,
And local businesses shutting down.
I am from stores running out of stock,
Clorox wipes and price gouging.
I am from the desperate desire for toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Drenching my hands in Purell every hour.
From coming home from a trip to the store and having to wipe down every item.
I am from baby sniffles that turn into isolation from people you love,
Hoping you don’t have the deadly virus.
From parents assigning extra homework,
And trying our best to survive family time.
I'm from finally doing chores,
And losing my patience (which wasn’t that great to begin with).
I am from gaming with the boys,
One of the only ways for us to interact with each other.
I’m from way too much screen time,
Lots of Facetimes,
Always being on YouTube,
From TikTok dances and new trends,
From watching Wizard Yensid on Twitch all day,
From Netflix, when the days pass by under the covers,
Binging shows like there’s no tomorrow.
I am from the outdoors, the only place we are allowed to visit.
From lots of camping and walking with your mom and other family members that do not have to
be mentioned.
I’m from bike rides across town, with friends
From YouTube workout videos and exercises.
More reading, more writing,
And definitely more Khan.
I am from eating way too much unhealthy food,
Brownies, cookies, and Lucky Charms.
I am from lacking the proper amount of sunlight because I stay on a computer for over
seven hours straight.
I would pay a million dollars just for a thirty second break.
I’m from sleeping until Mom has to pull you out of bed to do your assignments.
From eleven in the morning when she begins screaming to wake you up,
Wondering if all your Khan assignments have been completed.
I am from running on the treadmill in the garage,
From punching dummies in the ring,
And going for walks with the dog and maybe the cat.
I am from the weird soccer practices, wearing a mask there and back, and being stuck in your
own little square.
I am from looking at people weirdly when I feel too close to them
I am from day after day at the beach seeing a new friend there each time.
From room makeovers, over and over again.
I am from my desk so I can work at home for school.
I am from experiencing a pandemic as a kid — an experience that not only changed the planet,
yet also myself, and the way I view the world today.