City Series – Babar Iqbal in Shopian, Kashmir, We the Isolationists (135th Corona Diary)

City Series – Babar Iqbal in Shopian, Kashmir, We the Isolationists (135th Corona Diary)

City Series – Babar Iqbal in Shopian, Kashmir, We the Isolationists (135th Corona Diary)

Our corona diary.

[Text and photo by Babar Iqbal]

I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona… and I see
myself dozing off with
the sound of rain falling on the roof;
The intoxicating smell of wet earth;
Warm cosy quilt on bed and me under it
A hot cup of Samovar kehwa
& a magical realism book in my hands;
The smell of Izband (harmala/wild rue) which my mother burns in a kangri,
and a newspaper lying next to me without any disturbing and heartbreaking headlines.
I smile a smile of contentment and sleep comes to me, quick and easy, like money to millionaires.

“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 horizontal-sized selfie, along with your city name… please mail to me at mayankaustensoofi@gmail.com.