Sara Hany Abed is a museum and heritage content researcher based in Alexandria, Egypt. She studied her MA in museums and heritage development at Nottingham Trent University UK, with a focus on memorials and documentation in times of conflict. Sara worked on several major international museum projects including the Oman National Museum, and the development of the new Naguib Mahfouz Museum in Cairo. In addition, Sara joined the Egyptian Coffins project at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, as a translator and project manager for the ‘Pop-Up’ museum in Cairo.
Special Collection: Creativity in the Time of the Pandemic 2020>>
Will it change you?
Hugs and kisses you took for granted are no longer signs of love
Even spontaneously shaking hands is something you need to stop and think of
Will it change you?
People claim if they knew it was the last time, things wouldn’t have been the same
Yet, they often forget and act with ultimate indifference as if its all a game
Will it change you?
Elegant suits, shinny offices and posh cars matter no more
You would give them all up for a happy walk under the warm sun on the seashore
Will it change you?
Flights are cancelled and things long planned for are gone
There is no-one to blame and less to be done
Will it change you?
Suddenly the whole world seems to be on hold
Shadows of the past invade the present with what was told, and perhaps never been told
Will it change you?
Here and now, you are the person you decided to be
You can no longer hide from the truth, you see?
Will it change you?
Did you finally get what matters now?
When this is all over, will you go back to the same fake show?
Will it change you?
Today money won’t buy kindness, love, warmth and above all humanity
Plans are falling apart and your ultimate dream is simply peace and serenity
Will it change you?
Today chasing time, money and positions and calling this a life is in vain
These are times of isolation, confrontation and prayers for salvation to save you from this pain
Will it change you?
There is much more to remember, wonder about, and say
About the surreality of where we stand today
Yet, if more words flow endlessly out of my pen
And you take the time to read them time and again
Will it change you?
Published on August 1, 2020. © Author