Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Rachit Dhawan] I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona and I see everything that has happened through this world, the events that have shaped our story on this planet are mere facts to be mentioned. When in a crisis, we only have the sanity of our minds and the moral values that help us to act, but for what we hope this too shall pass and we would recount, how corona had us all home, discovering spaces in our heaven of confinement. Albeit, for it may pass, it must not derail us from dreaming the dreams we hold so close, the ladder towards enlightenment, the warmth of a beloved, the meal shared amongst loved

Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Wendy O'Hanlon] I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona and I see the waves rolling in nearby me. I hear, feel the crashing. I ‘see’, hear the stillness of the night – the day - a calm black, yet brightness. Soft rain. I feel a swell of warmth. I AM HOME. In the midst of this global pandemic, I AM HOME!!! I close my eyes and feel safe, warm – for the first time in many years. Hands and minds touching me from across the world – and yet we dare not touch... I see the Earth breathing. YES!!! My eyes are still closed - I still hear, feel, sense. Alert, but peaceful? We were right

Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Lorella Isidori] I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona and I see myself sitting on the floor of my living room, in the lotus position, with a relaxed expression, a light mind and a peaceful heart. Around me the world has stopped wiggling to chase useless and passing needs, has pacified its restless spirit and has reconciled itself with its Nature. Humans have learned to respect themselves and other Beings and have understood that the real meaning of their lives lies in preserving the Nature of their Heart. Therefore the virus will go away because he'll have completed his mission. “We the Isolationists” series urges folks from any part of the world to share a

Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Tuba Ahmed] I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona and I see you. It's so weird how life is full of moving around, people coming and going. Seeing you infront of me after 10 months scared me, it felt incredible. We go and sit at Tara Kafe in Majnu Ka Tila and order peach tea. I scribble in the notebook you are carrying with you and you sit on the other side smiling. Something I had always hoped for was mine today. “We the Isolationists” series urges folks from any part of the world to share a brief diary starting with “I close my eyes in my self-isolation from Corona... and I see...” Not more

Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Viji Venkatesh] I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona and I see All the things life has given me these last 68 years I see all those who have loved me and accepted my love in return Those who may be did not love me But I loved anyway And those who loved me But somehow I did not love back This then is the time to show my love To those whose love I did not see As I close my eyes I see everything with New eyes Wise eyes Sad eyes Hopeful eyes Understanding eyes I promise to continue loving Unconditionally “We the Isolationists” series urges folks from any part of the world to share a brief diary starting with “I close my eyes in my self-isolation from

Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Rajasi Akolkar] I close my eyes in my self-isolation from corona... and I see myself not being able to sleep. Sprawled in my room that can barely contain all my stuff, let alone all my thoughts, staring at the false ceiling, I yearn to be laying on a cotton mattress, on a warm summer night, on my bua’s terrace. With a gentle breeze once in a while, and the sound of a table fan whirring near our heads, my cousins and I giggle and talk, sharing stories. When we were younger, the stories involved what we did that school year, what cartoon we love, which superhero is the strongest. And as we grew up,

Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Sazmeen Reyaz] I close my eyes in my self-isolation from corona... and I see delusioned humans obsessing over futile concepts like religion, race, class which are rendered insignificant by the wrath of nature. While we were fighting over those things, corona took all of us under its sway, making all of us pause and giving us chance to rethink. Rethink about the greater humanity, the nature, of being less selfish and cherishing the bonds we've formed in life. Life is uncertain, communal lives are meant to be celebrated not rioted against. I hope when i open my eyes, the world will be a better place, the charm of everything restored. “We the Isolationists” series urges

Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Japnoor Singh] I close my eyes in my self-isolation from corona... and I see overwhelming waters simmering down, after a wild storm of people running without destination for the society, from themselves. I see serene waters, having a break from the chaos and thinking how everything is so unpredictable and fragile, how everything depends on nature, and then on us. Then I see waves resuming their rhythm, waving peacefully, quietly responsibly. Somewhere waiting on the Ark, with everyone, under the guide of Nizamuddin Aliya “We the Isolationists” series urges folks from any part of the world to share a brief diary starting with “I close my eyes in my self-isolation from Corona... and I see...” Not more than 100 words. With a

Our corona diary. [Text and photo by J. Ford Huffman] I close my eyes in my self-isolation from corona... and I see a clock telling me to do what I want to do, say what I want to say, be who I want to be, change what I must fix, read what I have not, create what I imagine. I reach out online, in the post, by phone. I edit files, digital and print, that document my life, and I toss objects I collected for potential use in art I intended to make. I self-edit, knowing I am privileged, that I mastered independence ages ago, that I am Virgo and want to feel smug when this is over. “More life,” says