Poet laureate says society may emerge from the pandemic 'slightly slower', and wiser, at the other end'
"Lockdown " first published in The Guardian on 21 March 2020, is a response to coronavirus pandemic, referencing the Derbyshire " plague village of Eyam, which self - isolated in 1665 to limit the spread of the great plague to London, and the sanskrit poem "Meghaduta " and "Kalidasa " , in which a cloud carries a message from an exile to his distant wife.
The first analogy to throw light on the modern covid pandemic is the seventeenth century plague. This is illustrated by the " star- crossed lovers " ( a reference to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet ) and the sorry story of two young people separated by quarantime restrictions, Emmott Sydall and Rowland Torre. The modern day parallel is obvious.
The second analogy refers to a scene in the Meghaduta in which an exile sends reassuring words to his wife in the Himalayas via a passing cloud. Armitage commented in The Guardian interview.
A cloud that followed an earthly map
Of camel trails and cattle tracks,
Streams like necklaces,
Fan - tailed peococks, painted elephants,
Embroidered bedspreads
Of meadows anf hedges,
Bamboo forests and snow-hatted peaks,
Waterfalls, creeks,
The hieroglyphs of wide - winged cranes
And the glistening lotus flower after rain,
The air,
Hypnotically see through, rare,
The journey a ponderous one at times,
Long and slow
But necessarily so.
A timeless reflection
"Lockdown " is more than a poem about a pandemic, it's a timeless reflection on the human experience. Armitage's masterful use of language and imagery invites readers to contemplate the complexities of isolation, connection, and resilience. As we navigate the challenges of our world, this poem serves as a powerful reminder of our capacity for hope, creativity and love.
Language and imagery
Armitage employs straightforward yet evocative language to capture the essence of the lockdown experience. The imagery of sounds physical barriers, and temporal shifts enhances the reader's understanding of the emotional and psychological impact of the pandemic. Through this vivid portrayal, Armitage invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and the broader human condition during this unprecedented time.
Simon Armitage's " Lockdown " is a poignant exploration of a global crisis through personal and collective lenses. Its thoughtful reflection on disruption, adaptation ,and connection offers profound insights into the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
Simon Armitage's "Lockdown " offers a compelling portrayal of the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our lives, Through its vivid imagery and direct language the poem captures the profound disruption and surreal experience of lockdown, revealing both the challenges and the unexpected moments of solace that emerged. By examining themes of disconnection altered perceptions of time and space,and the small yet significant acts of kindness, Armitage provides a nuanced reflection on the human condition during this global crisis.
References :
Dilip Barad. " Lockdown - a poem by poet laureate Simon Armitage". Teacher's blog . November 2021.
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