Self-Reflection in the Time of a Virus (by Ebube Mbulu)

Funny enough, as if life’s irony
Hadn’t shackled me adequately,
My grade school was unfortunately
Named Corona. They say the past
Is far behind you, but apparently it’s
The next three months, as if my
Self-proclaimed “easier days”
Have now morphed into the most
Dreaded time of my young life.

I stare into my own Zoom screen,
My reflection, more weary than ever,
Heavily plagued with loneliness, gifted
Under-eye bags despite the ample
Amount of time allocated towards rest.
There is beauty in this, the way
A smile turns into a fearful glance;
It secretly unravels everything
That I may come to regret.