Social Distancing

Juan Felipe Herrera

18 pages 36-minute read

Juan Felipe Herrera

Social Distancing

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 2020

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

The guiding narrative voice of the poem who navigates the physical and emotional realities of the Covid-19 pandemic. The speaker observes mundane details and abstract concepts alike, acting as a calming presence during a period of global isolation. By invoking a collective identity and describing the "power between us," the speaker works to bridge physical separation with emotional solidarity.

Key Relationships

Guide to The Reader

The explicit audience of the poem, directly engaged by the speaker's observations. Initially associated with childlike imagery, the reader is drawn into a shared emotional space as the poem progresses. The reader represents the isolated public during the pandemic, invited by the speaker to find trust, peace, and connection despite physical distancing.

Key Relationships

Audience of The Speaker