To declare that there were many negatives during the year 2020
is surely an understatement of the first order
At least two million dead reached the stratosphere
under the auspices of every religion
creed
denomination
so-called race
and whatever other division had been ordained
by primordial ignorance
Yet all these departures to whatever place you can envision
were COVID-19-positive
Ain’t that a pickle
They were all positive
Semantics you may think
Probably to a certain degree
But here the positive was actually a negative
since death is always a negative outcome for the living
So those are already two million positives in 2020
Do we need any more
...
Fashion masks made their timely apparition
There are masks to fit corporate suits
masks for moods
masks to resemble heroes
royal masks
national masks
team masks
sex-themed masks
funny masks
you-name-it masks
and all those masks on top of the regular masks
that the human animal loves to wear for sport and for spite
...
The light of the Sun was positive most of the way
It didn’t kill the virus
but it suddenly didn’t cause skin cancer
The cases must have been confounded with tiny COVID
Little things seem to be deadlier than big things
Who’s afraid of a whale
No one I hope
Who’s afraid of a virus
Most knowledgeable individuals and those who follow them
The rest are only afraid of invisible elephants
and uncaring gods
I’m not waiting for a vaccine from God
...
The most positive thing that occurred in 2020 is Science
nothing freaking else
No prayer will save us from COVID
no sacrifice to any god
no astrological nonsense
no I’m-going-to-beat-it-because-I’m-good
not even luck
And those who think that they beat it
have a tiny surprise waiting for them in the air
or on some beautiful surface
There are new strains
and there are going to be more new tiny pests
each one more contagious and often deadlier
Many of us can start praying
or help Science any which way we can
especially by getting vaccinated as soon as possible
We can also try to help those who are mistaken in their ways
of thinking about vaccines
The Science Duuude on Medium
can be very helpful if you read
for example
his timely piece
Should I Get the New mRNA Vaccines?
...
Thousands of individuals volunteered
to take the experimental vaccines at some risk to themselves
Bravo to them
Add all the selfless dedication
of physicians
nurses
orderlies
and other healthcare workers
who risked their lives to save ours
and the selfless dedication
of food-related professionals
who risked their underpaid lives
to keep the economy from collapsing
...
Finally but only for this story
Nature seemed to get the upper hand
on humans and their calculated callousness
and I only mean those in power
and those too ignorant to understand
the ramifications of climate change
and constant pollution of our pale blue dot
It didn’t last long enough
but it was a good start
We need to elect responsible leaders
like Joe Biden
Justin Trudeau
(already the Prime Minister of Canada since 2013
I love him almost as much as I loved his father
like father like son was perhaps never truer)
and several other leaders
around the thinking world
...
Take care and stay safe
...
Dedicated to the late and wonderful, Carl Sagan. What a beautiful man!
...
Always & Never: A Subdued Sonnet
My hyphenated existence
has taught me six so-called lessons
Always drive on the proper side
of every facet of your life
Never ever disrespect death
it will always have the last laugh
Always be helpful and decent
’tis easier to be a prick
Never believe in Religion
no matter its faithful beliefs
Always woo her with strings of words
they must include love and despair
Never … this one is hard … vote for
one who sees the world from above
About the Creator
Patrick M. Ohana
A medical writer who reads and writes fiction and some nonfiction, although the latter may appear at times like the former. Most of my pieces (over 2,200) are or will be available on Shakespeare's Shoes.
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The Last Bird
Three lively and retired ladies in their late sixties were sitting on a bench in a park during a pre-COVID-19 time. They were discussing the nice weather they were having in October, a couple of weeks before Halloween, when usually it rained and the falling leaves snatched the show. The trees still stole the spectacle with their tears, but only lovers could be suffused in such solicitude.
By Patrick M. Ohana5 years ago in Humans
Hind Rajab: A Child the World Heard Too Late
Cinema has always been a powerful medium for telling stories that history books often reduce to numbers. When a film chooses to focus on a single child caught in the machinery of war, it forces audiences to confront reality not as statistics, but as human loss. The movie inspired by the tragic story of Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl, does exactly that. It is not merely a film; it is a testimony, a memorial, and a question posed to the conscience of the world. Hind Rajab’s name became known globally after reports emerged of her final hours during the Gaza conflict. She was a child trapped in circumstances no child should ever experience. The film based on her story does not sensationalize her death, nor does it turn her suffering into spectacle. Instead, it approaches her story with restraint, dignity, and an unwavering focus on innocence lost amid violence. The Story at the Heart of the Film The movie centers on a young Palestinian girl who becomes separated from safety during intense military escalation. Through her eyes, viewers witness fear, confusion, and the fragile hope that someone, somewhere, will come to help. The film follows her final journey—both physical and emotional—using minimal dialogue and powerful visual storytelling. Rather than relying on graphic imagery, the filmmakers choose silence, pauses, and close-up shots to convey terror and vulnerability. This artistic choice makes the film even more haunting. The audience is left to sit with the child’s fear, her calls for help, and the unbearable waiting that defines her final moments. By focusing on Hind as an individual rather than a symbol, the film restores her humanity. She is not portrayed as a political tool, but as a daughter, a child with dreams, and a life that mattered. A Child as the Center of a Global Tragedy What makes this movie particularly impactful is its refusal to shift focus away from the civilian cost of war. The story does not revolve around soldiers, strategies, or power struggles. It revolves around a child who should have been worried about school, friends, and play—not survival. This narrative choice challenges the audience to rethink how conflicts are discussed in media and politics. Wars are often framed in terms of borders, ideologies, and victory. This film asks a different question: What is the price paid by those who have no role in choosing the war? By centering the story on Hind, the film exposes the imbalance of power and the devastating consequences faced by the most vulnerable. Artistic Direction and Emotional Weight The film’s direction is deliberately restrained. There is no dramatic background score overpowering the scenes. Instead, ambient sounds—distant explosions, static-filled phone calls, the quiet breathing of a frightened child—carry the emotional weight. This realism makes the film deeply unsettling. The young actress portraying Hind delivers a performance that is heartbreakingly authentic. Her expressions alone communicate fear, confusion, and bravery far beyond her years. The filmmakers avoid overacting or melodrama, allowing the story’s truth to speak for itself. Cinematography plays a crucial role as well. Tight frames and limited perspectives reinforce the feeling of entrapment, while long, unbroken shots force viewers to experience time as Hind did—slow, uncertain, and terrifying. A Political Film Without Political Speeches One of the film’s greatest strengths is that it does not rely on speeches or overt political messaging. Its power lies in its simplicity. By telling one child’s story honestly, it exposes the broader reality of civilian suffering in conflict zones. The film does not tell audiences what to think. Instead, it asks them to feel—and that is far more powerful. Viewers are left to grapple with difficult questions about responsibility, accountability, and the value of human life. This approach has made the movie resonate across cultures and ideologies. Even those unfamiliar with the details of the Palestinian struggle can connect with the universal themes of childhood, fear, and loss. Reception and Global Impact Since its release, the film has sparked intense discussion on social media, in film circles, and among human rights advocates. Many viewers describe it as one of the most emotionally challenging films they have ever watched. Critics have praised its ethical storytelling and refusal to exploit tragedy. For many, the movie serves as an entry point into understanding the human cost of the Gaza conflict. It has been screened at independent film festivals and community events, often followed by discussions about civilian protection and children in war zones. Most importantly, the film ensures that Hind Rajab’s name is not forgotten. In a world where news cycles move quickly, cinema has given her story permanence. Why This Film Matters This movie matters because it stands against normalization of suffering. It reminds us that behind every headline about war are real people, real families, and real children whose lives are forever altered—or ended. By immortalizing Hind Rajab’s story, the film becomes an act of resistance against silence. It insists that her life had meaning and that her death deserves acknowledgment, reflection, and accountability. In the end, this is not just a film about one Palestinian girl. It is a film about every child trapped in conflict, every unanswered call for help, and every moment when humanity fails its youngest members. Cinema cannot undo tragedy, but it can refuse to let it be ignored. And in doing so, this film ensures that Hind Rajab’s story continues to speak—long after the screen fades to black.
By Hasbanullah5 days ago in Humans
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