“It all didn’t seem true.”

I was working from home, and a little bird visited my windowsill for the first time, and chirped something for a few minutes. It was hopping back and forth, almost as if trying to tell me something. Let me in? I paused, thankful to see and hear a cute little bird in a time of chaos and uncertainty. I walked further toward the window and the bird flew away. I saw it soar, then viewed the desolate streets. A man was doing pull-ups on the monkey bars at the playground. I missed the crowd. Before the pandemic, I had a habit of watching Youtube videos of open roads, abandoned malls, forgotten towns, and serene beaches to get my mind off the round-the-clock hustle and bustle. But now, all of that was coming true, and the same quietness was right before me.

It all didn’t seem true.

Perhaps the bird was thinking the same, letting out its cry for salvation. Don’t worry, bird, we are all in this together.

 — Sean Kawakami

“…it felt familiar — almost normal — again.”

It was a sunny Friday, late afternoon, and I was taking a solo stroll through Central Park — and so was the rest of the neighborhood, it seemed. People were trying to be cautious and to maintain the recommended six feet distance apart from each other. It felt pretty unfamiliar. Before when I passed by other solo strollers, we would glance at each other, exchange smiles, and be on our way. That day, however, everyone I passed seemed to sense that I was near, not really look at me, look down or away. It was as if being physically distant wasn’t enough — they had to be mentally distant as well. Out of sight, out of mind. Totally understandable though, given the current situation. Anyway, I was just about to leave the park when a biker was on his way in. He saw me, smiled, and said “Have a nice night!” I smiled back, and returned the sentiment. It felt familiar — almost normal — again.

—Alex Zhang

Send your encounters, reflections, poems and short essays — 175 words or less — to westsiderag@gmail.com. Please include your real name. This is a chance to share your thoughts and feelings during this unprecedented time, and, perhaps, to uplift or inspire others. Please encourage your children to participate. Make it a writing assignment. They will love seeing their names ”in print.” Photographs of drawings are welcome.

For a jumpstart, read more of our Encounters columns here.