avatarJohannes Mudi

Summary

The poem "Contagion" reflects on the emotional impact of the Covid pandemic, contrasting the natural human inclination towards joy and inner peace with the enforced concealment of smiles behind masks due to the virus's spread.

Abstract

The poem titled "Contagion" by Johannes Mudi captures the essence of human resilience and the desire for joy amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the virus's variants and the resulting restrictions, people's spirits remain buoyant, yearning to express happiness through smiles. These smiles, likened to a "heavenly stream," are temporarily obscured by the necessity of mask-wearing, which acts as a "makeshift prison wall." The poem conveys a hopeful message that the emotional connection symbolized by smiling will eventually overcome the physical barriers imposed by the pandemic, leading to a "smiley contagion" that brings harmony and healing.

Opinions

  • The author views the pandemic as an envious force that interrupts the natural expression of joy and community.
  • There is an underlying optimism that the emotional bonds represented by smiling will triumph over the constraints of the pandemic.
  • The poem suggests that the act of smiling has a profound impact on emotional well-being and interpersonal connections.
  • The use of the word "contagion" in the context of smiles serves as a counterpoint to the negative connotations of the term during the pandemic, implying that positivity can also spread like a virus.
  • The author seems to appreciate the irony of a "smiley contagion" replacing the fear and anxiety associated with the actual viral contagion.

Contagion

A Poem

Photo by Joel Mott on Unsplash

The smiles kept forming Mystic feelings of joy unending Welled from a depth of inner peace Unsettling turpitude of gloom Never minding Covid’s variant snare But none saw its envious ascent The sweet heavenly stream of smileys Veiled behind a makeshift prison wall Waiting to see this plague masked That lovely smiles may break free Beaming harmony and healing Enchanting hearts with the hope Of a smiley contagion

Johannes Mudi

Contagion
Poetry
The Brain Is A Noodle
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