A truly profound, uplifting and creative piece of work about Covid-19 by Shamiza Quader. Shazima is 16 years old and a junior at Al-Noor Academy, Massachusetts, USA. She loves her parents who inspire her to write poems! Illustration by Yusra Kazmi.
Oh! Make sure to read the poem forwards and then read it again BACKWARDS!

Illustration by Yusra Kazmi
Washing our hands and wearing masks will not protect us
I refuse to believe that
There is hope
Covid-19 will finish us all
So don’t try to convince me that
There is light at the end of the tunnel
At the end of the day,
We will have depression and sadness
And I am not going to lie to myself by saying
We will come back stronger
So rest assured I will remind myself
Social distancing will not save anyone’s life
And nothing you say will make me believe that
Staying in quarantine will flatten the curve
Because no matter what
My rights are more important than global safety
And I am in no position to believe that
Coronavirus has helped the nature heal
Because when I look outdoors, I think
Why is it so quiet outside?
(Now, read it backwards!)
~ Shamiza Quader
Such a beautiful piece of poetry! Thank you. Don’t stop writing Shamiza. I want to read more of your work. Atique Miah
Jazak Allahu khair for your kind and encouraging words Atique Bhai. I will pass your comments on to Sister Shamiza insha Allah! 🙂