Our most recent addition to Quill Fated Scribes, Liz Lugo is not only a smart kick ass Microbiologist but, is equally talented when it comes to poetry and screen/writing. As poets/writers when grand calamity comes our way, dealing with all the ugly is to simply write it out. The current global state is one that is impacting individuals universally. This is one of the few times where it is not happening in one part of the world and not the other. This is an all hands on deck type of catastrophe. We as a race must listen and do what is right for everyone. EVERYONE! We now live on a terra firma war zone for COVID-19 to attack all our lungs. Constantly looking to the 2 week past for answers, due to the insanity of an incubation period. My way of contending with all this, more knowledge and creativity. Thank you Liz, for writing these very thought provoking and real poems.
Rania M M Watts, Founder CCIQ Press
Liz Lugo is a bilingual poet originally from Puerto Rico. She’s a microbiologist, editor, and short stories writer, and founder of the Smaeralit collection. Currently, she’s in her thesis for her master’s degree in Professional Screenwriting. Liz is trilingual in English, Spanish, Italian, and is learning ASL.
Rania M M Watts, Founder CCIQ Press
War Zone
“Don’t compare!
A war is worst!”
Some people say —
but
how do they know
from the comfort of their home?
How healthcare workers
feel all day and night long?
But they’re right,
don’t compare!
This pandemic is worst
than a war zone!
Never underestimate
a microorganism.
Never speak about
what you don’t know.
At least for war
people go prepared.
At least leaders
care,
to provide the tools
for soldiers to survive.
Money is there,
like a magical dust
to buy grenades
and some guns.
But now…
The magic is being sold.
Where’s the PPE?
How can we help
those fighting on the front-line?
How can we help
to cease this nightmare?
Leaders are failing them,
they’re failing us —
betraying what they proclaim
to be ‘pro-life.’
Making decisions
to reopen the states,
supporting a (deadlier)
second wave.
It’s on us
to cooperate.
It’s on us
to be light
in moments of darkness.
Stay home.
Protect yourself.
Support those
on the front-line,
and everyone else
who need your help.
Never underestimate
a microorganism.
Never say again
a war is worst!
Lock-down
“Can’t go to a restaurant!”
“My hair needs to be done!”
“My daughters graduation,
they need their prom!”
Selfishness
in all its radiance.
Patience
to deal with ignorance.
I get it, you’re
an extrovert.
But it’s your life
we’re talking about,
it’s our neighbor —
look around!
People are suffering
from sadness,
from this disease,
from other conditions,
from losing their jobs,
crashing their dreams.
People are starving,
dying,
begging for something
to eat.
Help,
help,
help!
Take the
lockdown
to open your heart.
The only way to defeat
COVID-19:
to be more human,
to unite.
If you’re dead,
your hair will be gone.
You’ll be ashes
while others enjoy
graduation,
restaurants,
gyms,
beaches,
and even the ice cream
you want the most.
Stop.
Stay home.
Patience.
The sooner
we cooperate,
we’ll be back
to a different
normal life.
50 days of isolation
The day just seems like a new routine
Go outside, disinfect,
take a none relax shower
then try to relax.
Watching selfishness,
reading the news,
praying for everyone
especially those
on the front-line;
my relatives
and friends
who I love, admire and respect.
“Flatten the curve!”
Most people say
while we battle
with ignorance.
People in beaches,
living the best life —
while doctors and nurses
are living a hell.
Let’s wait for a few days,
or weeks,
how Florida would be
the next New York.
“Why 50 days of isolation?”
That was a personal choice.
Don’t care
what the government say.
We care about how we can help
and how to protect ourselves.
50 days
I don’t complain.
I’m alive so as my loved ones.
The best companion for a quarantine
my family brings up
the brightest
smiles and memories.
we’re healthy,
we’re grateful.
we’re praying for everyone,
for a better future,
a better life.
Where everyone is valued,
where leaders listen —
that’s why we all
have a role to play
during every day.
We’re all essential.
50 days,
stay home,
be safe!
Health is our priority.
Physical and mental.
Be kind, have empathy.
Be gentle.
Soon this will be over.
Soon we’ll breathe peace.
50 days
and more to come.
Today
and every day
I’m more in love
with the sweetest smile —
mine.
Don’t forget
to love yourself.
Liz Lugo is a bilingual poet originally from Puerto Rico. She’s a microbiologist, editor, and short stories writer, and founder of the Smaeralit collection. Currently, she’s in her thesis for her master’s degree in Professional Screenwriting. Liz is trilingual in English, Spanish, Italian, and is learning ASL. She has an extreme fascination for comics/graphic novels. She loves to write Horror, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Psychological Thriller, and Post-apocalyptic stories; as well as Drama, and promoting real and liberal stories that have an impact on today’s society. She also enjoys comedy, documentaries, westerns, foreign films.
Liz’s committed to the following causes: sexual harassment/abuse, rape, animal cruelty, human rights, verbal abuse, mental health, among others. When she’s not writing or analyzing films or TV shows, she’s up to a new adventure or just hearing music, dancing, cooking, or exercising. Liz\’s Instagram is @swllugo !
CCIQ Press 