“Butterfly Kiss” – a poem inspired by anxiety – has appeared around London in recent weeks.
German painter Paula Baader has glued around 40 copies of it on walls from Hackney Wick to Clapham, including one near Islington’s London Art House.
She began writing the poem during lockdown, when she felt down and could not access her studio to paint. “It was really therapeutic for me,” she said.
“I showed it to some friends who said that I should do something with it, so I looked into how I could print it.”
The World Health Organisation has identified a link between the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health problems. Paula says her poem is especially relevant now during a new lockdown.
“It’s an anxiety provoking time,” said Paula. “The poem is something that people can read and maybe feel touched, maybe they feel something similar… It helps people if they feel that someone understands them.”
Roughly 40 people, having read the poem, contacted Paula from her Instagram handle written on the print.
The painter said: “If someone finds the poem it’s quite special, because most people are busy.”
Although the poem discusses the anxieties of London COVID-19 life, it is also hopeful – describing London as a “playground” with an “inviting 24-hour glow”.
“A few people messaged me saying that it had made their boring work day – that was nice,” Paula said.
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