I miss petting dogs or cats, and not worrying if they are a vector – touch. I miss helping the odd stranger or the old man with money or crossing the street – touch. I grew up on Midas’ tale and his cursed touch, and yet, to me, a touch is, and has been, the simplest form of intimacy. It feels like heavy hearts and empty hands in a world without touch.
Manan Bhavnani is an Indian poet based in Qatar who has been published in many news and literary outlets. Manan is currently a journalism senior at Northwestern University in Qatar, minoring in media and politics. “This piece is for everyone who, like me, is troubled by the social disruption and is longing for the warmth of a touch.”
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