„The Pandemic’s Silent Toll” is a poignant reflection on the societal and psychological aftermath of a global crisis. The poem delves into the themes of loss, suffering, disillusionment, and alienation during tumultuous times, showcasing humanity’s struggles and contradictions amidst a pandemic. Its powerful language and evocative imagery capture a collective state of despair and disillusionment.
The Pandemic’s Silent Toll
The sky blazes with mindless fire,
Smothered in a pandemic’s mire,
Lacking fortune, deep in muck,
Oh World, in misfortune stuck.
Woe to the sprouts of future’s seed,
Turned to stakes in dire need,
Crossing over grand milestones,
Burdened by usurers’ loans.
All’s upended, topsy-turvy,
No hero in sight, no soul sturdy,
Over this beautiful world now sits
A vile shadow that never quits.
Gone is the one, aimless, astray,
Under the flag, no one to stay,
Seems a scourge, a bitter plight,
In the absence of righteous light.
As if madness took our helm,
Forgetting why we came to this realm,
Once united, now we’re split,
Divided again, bit by bit.
What to tell our progeny?
That we lived in ignominy?
Shunned our duty to our lands,
Opting to be mindless, robotic hands.
The land is rife with cunning thieves,
From mighty oaks, nothing but leaves,
Turned back to times of servile fear,
Choosing leaders from the corrupt tier.
And now, in pandemic’s tide,
They don’t just steal a mere small bribe,
It’s like an epidemic, vast,
Of theft and greed, unsurpassed.
Laws are passed in stealth of night,
Stirring in us a helpless fright,
They think us fools, easy to mock,
We’re but pawns in their grand stock.
Leaders exile us in disdain,
People depart in silent pain,
Wounding our soul, scorning our art,
Assaulting the culture that’s our heart.
I saw a cart pulled by oxen,
But we were the oxen, broken,
We make noise, full of despair,
Yet we cower from warfare’s glare.
Today, in wilderness, blows the wind,
The only living thing, unthinned,
We’re but a shadow, a mere sigh,
Beneath the silvery sky, high.
POEM ANALYSIS
Societal Despair and Chaos
„The Pandemic’s Silent Toll” starts with a vivid depiction of societal despair and chaos. The opening lines,
„The sky blazes with mindless fire,
Smothered in a pandemic’s mire,”
set a tone of crisis, suggesting not only the physical spread of the pandemic but also its metaphorical burning through the structures of society.
The Irony of Progress Amidst Suffering
A poignant theme in the poem is the irony of human progress juxtaposed against collective suffering. This is illustrated in lines like,
„Woe to the sprouts of future’s seed,
Turned to stakes in dire need.”
Here, the poet reflects on how humanity’s aspirations are thwarted and turned into instruments of survival in the face of crisis.
Critique of Leadership and Governance
A central element of the poem is its critique of political and societal leadership. Lines such as,
„Leaders exile us in disdain,
People depart in silent pain,”
emphasize feelings of abandonment and betrayal faced by many in light of inadequate responses to the pandemic.
Reflection on Human Nature and Division
The poem delves into the human condition, exploring themes of division and lost unity:
„Once united, now we’re split,
Divided again, bit by bit.”
These lines serve as a commentary on how crises can exacerbate existing societal fractures, leading to further disunity.
The Role of Time and Transience
Finally, the poem touches upon the themes of time and the fleeting nature of human endeavors. This is encapsulated in the visualization of the pandemic as a timeless, omnipresent force, reshaping human experiences and histories.
Cumpără cărțile în limba română: Librăriile Cărturești sau Internațional: AMAZON!
