Coronavirus Poems

At First

by Amanda Gorman

‘At First’ by Amanda Gorman is a poem about language in the COVID-19 pandemic. The poem uses text messages to speak about how the pandemic changed everyone. 

COVID-19 is this poem's primary topic. The poet alludes to mask-wearing, social distancing, and other elements commonly associated with the period through a series of easy-to-read text messages that are, on the page, divided into text bubbles.

There were no words for what we witnessed.

When we talked to each other,

Our sentences were stilted

& stalled as a telegram.

The Miracle of Morning

by Amanda Gorman

‘The Miracle of Morning’ by Amanda Gorman is a direct message of hope in the face of suffering. Specifically, Gorman uses this poem to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and its outcome. 

The primary topic in this poem is the coronavirus pandemic that swept the world beginning in 2020. The poet wrote this poem in the early weeks of the pandemic when social distancing and face masks were still new. She saw a metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel that humankind would eventually arrive at. Her strong and positive message in this unique 21st-century poem is one of the best examples of poetry written about this time in world history.

I thought I’d awaken to a world in mourning.

Heavy clouds crowding, a society storming.

But there’s something different on this golden morning.

Something magical in the sunlight, wide and warming.

There’s No Power Like Home

by Amanda Gorman

‘There’s No Power Like Home’ by Amanda Gorman is a beautiful testament to the difficulties associated with COVID-19 restrictions. 

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is this poem's primary topic at work. The poet alludes to mask-wearing, social distancing, and other elements commonly associated with the period. Readers will likely find themselves easily relating to the imagery Gorman presents in this piece.

We were sick of home,

Home sick.

That mask around our ear

Hung itself into the year.

Explore more poems about Coronavirus

The Hill We Climb

by Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman’s poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ is a moving depiction of the United States as it was on the cusp of President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. 

A large part of this contemporary poem is spent discussing the coronavirus. The poet alludes to the issues the virus presents and hopefully suggests that the future will be brighter than the past.