Poems in lockdown: an elixir of hope
In the midst of the pandemic, when motivation has scurried out the window and everything seems dull and grey, I find myself yearning for poetry to brighten my day. Can poems keep me sane?
Bread making, knitting and Chloe Ting workouts have all helped to keep people sane during the Covid crisis. For me, however, poems, are the hidden gems amidst the disarray.
No matter when it was written or who it is by, the creative, linguistic power of poetry can ease the mind, capture a moment, and empower thoughts. Despite being published in 1807, William Wordsworth’s Ode: Intimations of Immortality perfectly captures the feeling of time passing during lockdown, as the days of the week blur into one while we wait anxiously for the future and yearn for a time of normality, nostalgia and simplicity.
“The great thing about a poem, if you find the right poem, for the right state of mind you have a sense instantly of complicity. A sense of somebody else feels like I feel” – William Sieghart, Author of the Poetry Pharmacy
Anxiety and a perception of a lacklustre future, looms in the thoughts of many, but mostly of young adults. According to a YouGov survey on behalf of the Princes Trust, 50% of 16-25 year olds, say their mental health has worsened since the start of the pandemic and more than half say they always or often feel anxious. A stark rise in an era of uncertainty, but can poetry help?
William Sieghart, author of the Poetry Pharmacy and chairman of Somerset House Trust, believes so. In a conversation with the Evening Standard, Sieghart, advocates that poetry is almost medicinal in a pandemic. He notes its rising popularity and says: “The passing of poetry to each other in these difficult moments is becoming more and more apparent.”
The notion of people turning to poetry in times of need is evident in today’s climate, as Sieghart suggests. This surge is led by high-profile poets and actors reciting their favourite poems to help others combat loneliness and despair. Poet laureate, Simon Armitage, recently read a new piece on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. The Song Thrush and Mountain Ash, is an intimate poem about a woman in hospital and her experience of Covid-19.
The four line, satirical, Celia Celia by Adrian Mitchell, is a poem often read by actor Helena Bonham Carter, to friends when they feel alone “I send it to people if I feel they’re a bit lonely, and of course nowadays, there are many out there who are feeling the loneliness”. It reads:
When I am sad and weary
When I think all hope has gone
When I walk along High Holborn
I think of you with nothing on.
– Celia Celia, by Adrian Mitchell
The rhythmic pitter-patter, can be seen almost everywhere from tiny Instagram squares, daily poems, and in major events, resonating and easing common fears and hopes. The Hill We Climb, by the youngest inaugural poet, Amanda Gorman, immortalised in spoken word, the new dawn of America; with Joe Biden’s Presidency and Kamala Harris becoming Vice President. The 22-year-old’s soaring poem visualises the last 12 months of darkness and speaks of the hope that awaits America.
We’ve braved the belly of the beast.
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace,
and the norms and notions of what “just” is, isn’t always justice.
And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it.
– The Hill We Climb, by Amanda Gorman
Gorman, will also be the first US National Youth Poet Laureate to perform a new spoken word piece at the Super Bowl. No doubt a different kind of sporting spectacle than in previous years, thus Gorman’s new piece will address those serving in the coronavirus pandemic.
At times of loneliness and uncertainty, memorising a poem, re-encountering an old piece or writing one yourself, is a moment of release. Whether it be old English pieces by John Keats, or the comical work of Adrian Mitchell, you’ll be sure to have some escapism with a poem.
There are also a number of apps dedicated to bringing you poetry via your phone:
A poetry library right at your fingertips, with over 1.4 million poems to discover.
This daily poetry app will start your morning purposefully and is filled with a mix of contemporary and classical pieces.
Immerse yourself with the Poetry Magazines app, filled with Poems, Prose, essay’s and articles on your favourite poetry.