CHEST Guidelines-Valley-Fever-Pantoum

Valley-Fever-Pantoum_chest

Pdf Summary

The poem "Valley Fever Pantoum" by Cynthia Gallaher uses the pantoum form to explore a little-known pandemic caused by a California drought more than 40 years ago. The poem evokes the 1970s era, when the San Joaquin Valley experienced devastating winds that swept dust and dirt across vast areas, leading to a phenomenon known as the "Tempest of Tehachapi." As a yoga instructor aware of the importance of breath, Gallaher highlights how Californians were caught unawares by Valley Fever, a disease caused by inhaling fungal spores. The poem weaves themes of nature's duality, the environmental impacts of drought, and the human vulnerability to airborne threats. The narrative underscores the optimism of rain bringing relief to vegetation and infrastructure, only to be followed by the insidious spread of Valley Fever—a second sorrow that afflicted many, turning the relief into a "death dance."<br /><br />Editor's notes indicate the poem's connection to medical themes, suitable for inclusion in the journal "CHEST," with submission guidelines provided. The poem delivers a powerful reminder of how natural calamities can have unforeseen health consequences, linking the physical environment to human well-being.

Keywords

Valley Fever

pantoum

California drought

San Joaquin Valley

Tempest of Tehachapi

fungal spores

environmental impacts

airborne threats

1970s era

human vulnerability