Pandemania
There are fewer introductions
In plague years,
Hands held back, jocularity
No longer bellicose,
Even among men.
Breathing’s generally wary,
Labored, as they say, when
The end is at hand.
But this is the everyday intake
Of the imperceptible life force,
Willed now, slow —
Well, just cautious
In inhabited air.
As for ongoing dialogue,
No longer an exuberant plosive
To make a point,
But a new squirreling of air space,
A new sense of boundary.
Genghis Khan said the hand
Is the first thing one man gives
To another. Not in this war.
A gesture of limited distance
Now suffices, a nod,
A minor smile or a hand
Slightly raised,
Not in search of its counterpart,
Just a warning within
The acknowledgment to stand back.
Each beautiful stranger a barbarian
Breathing on the other side of the gate.
Summary of Pandemania
- context and Timing: Daniel Halpern wrote “Pandemania” in 2013, but it was published later, gaining particular relevance during the Covid‑19 lockdowns. The poem captures the mood that many felt when everyday life was suddenly altered by a global crisis.
- Reflection of Human Behaviour: The verses describe how people changed their interactions to keep each other safe. They show new rules of distance, the quietness that replaced laughter, and the ways we still try to connect even when touching is risky.
- Core Themes: Fear, anxiety, resilience, and adaptation are woven throughout. The poem reminds us that while a pandemic can separate us physically, it also forces us to find new, gentler ways of reaching out. Lines such as “Each beautiful stranger a barbarian / Breathing on the other side of the gate” illustrate suspicion born from distance, whereas “A minor smile or a hand / Slightly raised” shows how we still communicate.
Detailed Analysis and Interpretation
Central Message: The poem argues that crises reshape our social fabric. In times of danger, the ordinary rituals of greeting give way to cautious gestures, yet the human need for connection remains strong. Each line builds on this idea by showing how distance becomes a new boundary and how small acts—like a nod or a raised hand—carry meaning.
Structure and Form
- Free Verse: The poem has no set meter or rhyme scheme, mirroring the unpredictability of a pandemic. Its 30 lines flow naturally, allowing readers to feel the quiet tension that fills everyday moments.
- Single Stanza: All verses are grouped together, suggesting an unbroken chain of experience—no breaks separate past from present, just one continuous narrative of change.
Key Literary Devices and Their Impact
- alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds such as “Hands held back” create a gentle echo that feels like the hush of cautious breathing. This sonic pattern reinforces the poem’s theme of restraint.
- assonance: The repeated vowel sound in “The end is at hand” gives the line a lingering, almost musical quality, reflecting how the threat of danger hangs over each moment.
- enjambment: Lines that flow into one another without punctuation— for example, “But this is the everyday intake / Of the imperceptible life force”—imply continuity and the way our lives keep moving even when we feel stuck.
- symbolism: The hand appears repeatedly: first as a gift in Genghis Khan’s quote, then as a limited gesture of distance. It symbolizes both connection and restraint, showing how touch has become a careful choice.
- irony: The phrase “Each beautiful stranger a barbarian” flips the expectation that beauty signals familiarity. In the pandemic context, even those who look friendly can feel threatening because of the unknown risk they carry.
- personification: By saying “Breathing’s generally wary,” the poem gives breathing an emotion, suggesting that even our most basic functions are affected by fear.
Interpretation of Key Passages
- “Hands held back, jocularity / No longer bellicose” – Laughter and open gestures have been replaced with restraint; the poem notes how joy is now cautious.
- “A new squirreling of air space, A new sense of boundary.” – The space between people has become a deliberate barrier, a physical line that we must respect.
- “Genghis Khan said the hand / Is the first thing one man gives” – This historical reference reminds us that touch once symbolized trust; now it is measured and limited.
Poetic Devices Highlighted for Students
- diction: The poet chooses words like “wary,” “labored,” and “squirreling” to create a tone of caution and subtle movement.
- tone: Throughout the poem, the voice is reflective and vigilant. It invites readers to feel both the fear of isolation and the quiet hope that small gestures can bridge gaps.
Quote for Classroom Discussion
“There are fewer introductions.” This line can spark conversation about how social rituals changed during lockdowns and why people felt less inclined to meet or greet each other. It highlights the poem’s observation that even simple acts of greeting became rare in a time of uncertainty.