________________ This Time A clock ticks on the wall, A bed is sent rolling across the floor. Panic rises in the hospital As oxygen is needed more and more. Sitting at home, hospital or office Helplessness hangs heavy. Phone calls come, But inner strength remains steady. The world, separate, But virtually together; Accompanies and cares To get further and further. Things happen, That cannot be lightly passed. But humans take them, And persevere till the last. Before this, We cared. But not as much As could’ve been shared. Now we realise - Or hopefully at least - The importance of what we have Till now, missed. ____________________________________________ First published in the magazine - INFUSION (Editors: Rutu Srivatsa and Anvesha Harsh)