Worlds apart

I sit in front of my flashy computer

Surrounded by books, and all things good

I have a bottle of water that I occasionally take a sip from

and a bag of nuts to munch on

My eyes are glued to the presenters on the screen

I am basking in the knowledge of all these experts

I don’t see it yet again

but I am privileged even when I think

about the lack of sleep

glory to motherhood

or not having the time to eat

Someone pity me please

I say to myself

Amidst all this, comes a text

from my mother

across the seven seas

I ask her: how are things?

Expecting the usual

Instead, she tells me. The city has been flooded

There has been no electricity at our home

for the last three days

the. last. three. days

nor water

can you imagine?

the food in the fridge has gone off

the heat is scorching

She almost had an accident

sends me a video

while I listen to someone speak about …

wondering is this research for the sake of

research?

My mother tells me she had to go somewhere else

to get her phone charged

so she could see the face of her only grandson

I am ashamed

of my comfort

I am afraid

for her survival

I tell her it will be okay

Easy for me to say

I have a lump in my throat

and it hurts to swallow

I am angry

at my privilege

I am worried

for her safety

I feel helpless

as I sit in front of my flashy computer

with an internet connection

the same bottle of water has a new meaning

I forgo the knowledge being offered to me

Instead I am thinking

full of guilt

how do I bridge this gap

when we are

worlds apart?