“streets erased of footprints”
“I remember, I remember…” — Life Goes On
I remember the day we all had to stay inside without knowing when we’d come out. Questions all over the place and worry filling our chests. Being positive this wouldn’t last long as we watched each one of us lose our jobs. Convincing ourselves we would make it out of this.
I remember the fear on the streets, quiet and lonely. People watching their neighbors from their balconies, wondering if they also felt stuck and lost. My roommates trying to keep themselves busy, some baking and cooking, some others working out while I just stared at the ceiling pretending I wasn’t kinda glad I didn’t have to worry about being productive.
I remember thinking “I could use this time to do something I like” only to end up hating every single piece of art I created — I did finish a poetry course, though. Late night conversations with a bottle of wine, sometimes beer, followed by confessions only the moon would keep and secrets we never thought we would say out loud.
I remember my roommates’ faces when I spilled my guts and the tears threatening to fall down my face, alcohol has that effect. I still regret sharing some things. At some point, anger and anxiety filled the halls of our house. No one would come out, no one would talk, drowning in our thoughts. Try to comfort someone who’s going through the same thing as you.
I remember the laughs and birthday parties’ we managed to throw despite being in lockdown, because all we needed was each other. Singing our lungs out despite our aching throats.
The day to be set free came and we didn’t know if we could pretend we weren’t scared. I remember my friends’ smiles and hugs, the first beers we got to share after lockdown and our dreams, bigger than ever.
