< Previous– 60 – PROSE & POETRY Carlos Lemos In the epigraph of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, by the English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, we read that “there are more invisible than visible Beings in the universe”. During the pandemic of COVID-19, we have witnessed how a microscopic virus can cause such tremendous devastation, spreading in subsequent waves, with an overflow of people infected and deceased. The Waves When the cloud of contagious droplets Started falling as an endless rain, Drop by drop, a sea was formed That the shores could not contain. The streams flew along the road, Flooding every corner and square, People run, looking for shelter: Waves and water, everywhere. The waves prevailed upon the earth, Broken the fountains of the sky, No ark to save us, two and two, All were afraid to drown and die. One wave hastened after another, Springing up across the land, Rows of horses furiously galloping, Tossing their mane through the sand. The waves have come with sound and fury, With the sound of a waterspout. Thunders rumbled like a drum And the wind was roaring out. Healthcare workers – doctors, nurses – Full of courage went outside, In an attempt to save their patients From being dragged by the tide. Dressed in waterproof oilcloth, The brave members of this crew, Facing the perils of the ocean, Tried to make our ship pass through. Fearing neither wind or billow, Tirelessly rowing, without rest, We departed from safe haven, Like a bird far from his nest. The boat was risen to the high, The waves plunged down the prow. When they arched over us, We could see the abyss bellow. At the bottom of the ocean We’ve seen no shell nor coral wonder: Just the hulks of wrecked ships That waves have broken asunder. When, at length, hope as glimmered Like a lighthouse spreading its light, Clouds were gathering on the horizon, Blurred the clearness of our sight. We thought the waves would withdraw, Finally leave the harbor cleared, When the flow enhanced its strength And another wave appeared. When the wave breaks on the shore And we stare its mirrored surface, We glimpse the reflex of this pandemic: The suffering upon the human race.– 61 – PROSE & POETRY Katarina Rebrosova 2021. A terrifying virus ruling the world. People are hiding in their homes, few brave ones are fighting in the front line. Fear. Anxiety. Emptiness. Full hospitals, abandoned streets. People moving from the real world to the virtual world. Loneliness. Exhaustion. Depression. The virus is still here. Warriors are still fighting. People are hiding on social networks. Anger. Desolation. Distance. Polarization of society. Is there a way out? Virus, are you satisfied? The 2021 OdysseyJoin us in 2023! ECCMID Art Gallery 2023 ‘Not just COVID’ We look forward to seeing your creative works in the ECCMID Art Gallery for 2023! A call for artwork will be made in late 2022 for infection- related artworks, be they photography, paintings, drawings, sculpture, poetry or short stories. See you in the gallery!Next >