Letters from the pandemic

EMMA BACON, United Kingdom

“My neighbour, who lives opposite, came outside with her older daughter. My daughter ran into our garden, picked a lone fresh daisy, and ran to my neighbour’s daughter across the street to give it to her. We yelled a simultaneous, “NO!!!” My daughter froze solid and turned to me with a look of confusion. A shock that I don’t think I will ever forget. And then the tears came. ‘I just want to give my friend a flower mummy, I just want to give her the flower.’ There was nothing I could say that would make any sense, or explain why she couldn’t give her friend a daisy.”

CRISTINA TRENAS, Los Angeles

“I remember how I used to live. Always in a rush, always late. I remember complaining about traffic. I remember stressing out about my schedule, unable to meet deadlines or keep up with social commitments. I remember feeling the constant desire to own more stuff. Nothing ever felt enough. Now that I’m secluded in my closet I co-habit with all of those things that I bought impulsively. Too much stuff that takes up too much room both in my closet and in my mind. I wish I could make it all disappear. Today I sit in my pyjamas and I have to share my tiny universe with all