Face Masks Remind Me of Butterflies
A discarded mask on the street and a surprising resemblance to a fallen butterfly.
I saw a face mask on the street the other day. It was bright blue, and it was covered in dirt. For a moment, it reminded me of a fallen butterfly on the ground at the end of its short life.
The more I looked at it, I saw a strong resemblance between face masks and butterflies. Their lives are short, but they bring us happiness and a sense of appreciation for life. They give us peace and calm.
We never looked at masks this way before COVID-19.
Before COVID-19, a person entering a public place wearing a mask was often looked at with suspicion. Security personnel in public spaces saw people with masks as a threat. It gave people a sense of an unknown fear.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, what was once a symbol of fear became a symbol of hope, safety, and solace. A person who wore a mask was more than just a person; they were a survivor.
When I moved past the mask on the street, all I could think of was:
Masks are like butterflies. They come out, live out their short lives with purpose, and they fall into the ground.