{"id":28170,"date":"2020-08-07T07:08:26","date_gmt":"2020-08-07T03:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/?p=28170"},"modified":"2020-08-07T07:08:26","modified_gmt":"2020-08-07T03:08:26","slug":"a-poem-dedicated-to-my-teachers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauritiustimes.com\/mt\/a-poem-dedicated-to-my-teachers\/","title":{"rendered":"A Poem dedicated to My Teachers"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sonakshi Seetohul<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I want you to know<\/span>
\nThat I am grateful for your hard work<\/span>
\nIn helping me as I grow<\/span><\/p>\n

For your constant understanding and for<\/span>
\nAlways being there when I need help and support<\/span>
\nYou guide my thoughts, share my achievements<\/span>
\nAnd advise on my faults<\/span>
\nYou bring out the best in me<\/span>
\nWith each lesson you teach<\/span>
\nI am full of motivation and curiosity<\/span>
\nYou make a difference in the life of each child<\/span>
\nThose who are quiet and those who are wild<\/span>
\nThe wish to learn is priceless<\/span>
\nIt\u2019s a gift you gave to me<\/span>
\nFor you do more than teaching<\/span>
\nThis much is plain to see<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The dawn of each poet, each philosopher and king<\/span>
\nBegins with their teachers and the wisdom they bring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>* * *<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As the world comes to a halt<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

There is finally time now for everyone<\/span>
\n\u00a0to \u2018stand and stare\u2019 as WH Davies put it just over a century ago,<\/span>
\n\u2018What is this life if, full of care<\/span>
\nWe have no time to stand and stare<\/span>
\nNo time to see the woods we pass,<\/span>
\nWhere squirrels hide their nuts in grass\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Life seemed busy with people working long hours<\/span><\/p>\n

The economy in full swing<\/span><\/p>\n

Children used to daily routines at home and school<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people were planning their next holiday<\/span><\/p>\n

As summer is the time to enjoy the weather<\/span><\/p>\n

But the whole world came to a standstill<\/span><\/p>\n

As Covid-19 appears from nowhere<\/span><\/p>\n

And spreads all around the world<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

There is panic buying<\/span><\/p>\n

There is sickness<\/span><\/p>\n

There is death<\/span><\/p>\n

Covid-19 stopped the world in its tracks<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaving people unable to do their regular tasks<\/span><\/p>\n

We are told to wash our hands<\/span><\/p>\n

Use face masks<\/span><\/p>\n

Practise social distancing<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Streets are deserted<\/span><\/p>\n

No longer meeting family and friends<\/span><\/p>\n

Unable to do much except stand and stare from balconies and windows<\/span><\/p>\n

As this is the only option to have a glimpse of the outside world<\/span><\/p>\n

Parks and playgrounds near but deserted<\/span><\/p>\n

As scientists identify the dangers of sharing. There is nowhere to go<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no one to see<\/span><\/p>\n

Travellers stranded in different countries around the world<\/span><\/p>\n

Some on holiday, some away on business, some gone to work<\/span><\/p>\n

Away from their family and friends<\/span><\/p>\n

They are scared<\/span><\/p>\n

Yearning to return to their homeland<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

But this temporary slowdown of human activity has had a profound impact on many species<\/span><\/p>\n

With fewer people in urban environments,<\/span><\/p>\n

Much less traffic on the roads and noise pollution at its lowest<\/span><\/p>\n

Some species are making the most of their time<\/span><\/p>\n

Wild animals are turning up in places they have not been seen in decades<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Covid 19 is a virus impossible to see with naked eyes<\/span><\/p>\n

But it seems that it is nature\u2019s weapon in the fight against humanity<\/span><\/p>\n

With hidden benefits, the lockdown has made the world realise that nature has so much to offer<\/span><\/p>\n

As we look at the shapes of the cloud<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0we see pigeons walking in a group like family,<\/span><\/p>\n

We can hear sweet birdsongs early in the morning<\/span><\/p>\n

And notice how trees wave to us in the gentle breeze<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Many of us are getting inspired by the beauty of Nature;<\/span><\/p>\n

Come walk with me into the forest\u2019s blessed abode<\/span><\/p>\n

To see the wondrous beauty the Earth has bestowed upon us<\/span><\/p>\n

We shall bask in the surreal splendour that surrounds us<\/span><\/p>\n

And listen to nature orchestrating the forest\u2019s magnum opus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

* Published in print edition on 7 August 2020<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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