Miasma

The idea for this poem was originally drafted as a placeholder within WordPress in 2018, inspired by a SciShow episode. The episode was titled “5 Things Humans Got Really Wrong About Our Bodies.” That night, I drafted the idea to write a poem when I learned about Miasma theory. This is an aged medical theory about air… or “bad air” if you will. Also known as “night air,” Miasma theorists concluded breathing it could lead to the Black Death and other diseases. Tonight… I followed through on the idea and crafted a poem.

noxious fumes
of bad air drift
pushing past
the barrier

real love
floats
false friendship
sinks
into a ghost
of what you were

miasmal dream
a ghastly sight
straight poisonous
and untold

history was made
it’s there to keep
know the night air
will be cold

noxious fumes
of bad air drift
pushing past
the barrier

real love
floats
false friendship
sinks
into a ghost
of what you were

by Felicia Lujan
10.8.19

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