21st century poetry is noted for its fragmented style, use of short sentences, lack of grammatical and syntactical structures, and disinterest in using rhyme schemes. Most 21st century poems are written in free verse. Some of the best-known poets of the century so far are Carol Ann Duffy, Seamus Heaney, and Sherman Alexie.
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.
When day comes we ask ourselves,
where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry,
a sea we must wade.
‘Love Poem’ by Gregory Orr is a short poem about a speaker’s imaginative telling of asking for someone’s phone number.
A black biplane crashes through the window
of the luncheonette. The pilot climbs down,
removing his leather hood.
He hands me my grandmother's jade ring.
‘Bestiary’ by Kay Ryan is a short, cynical, and witty free verse poem in which the speaker explores the differences between what is good and what is best.
A bestiary catalogs
bests. The mediocres
both higher and lower
are suppressed in favor
‘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.
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.
‘Carpet-weavers, Morocco’ is a challenging poem which explores issues such as child labour as well as examining the myriad origins of beauty.
The children are at the loom of another world.
Their braids are oiled and black, their dresses bright.
Their assorted heights would make a melodious chime.
‘Donegal Sightings’ explores how elusive the natural world can feel, even when we are immersed within its beauty.
You would need three weather eyes
out here on Dawros Head where the sky,
Atlantic laden, signals its intentions
in airbrushed cliffs and disappearing islands;
Jonathan Reed’s ‘The Lost Generation’ is a palindrome poem that utilizes an innovative approach in order to dictate the future course of the present generation.
I'm part of a Lost Generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world.
I realize this may be a shock, but
"Happiness comes from within"
is a lie, and "Money will make me happy"
‘Anorexic’ by Eavan Boland presents a woman determined to destroy her physical body through starvation while alluding to the original sin.
Flesh is heretic.
My body is a witch.
I am burning it.
‘Winterisation’ subtly weaves the processes of preparing for winter and steeling oneself for news of bereavement.
Halloween at the caravan.
All along the strand
sand is rearing up
like smoke from a bush fire.
‘This Sacred Scene’ is a powerful and inspiring call for Americans who wish to overcome division and hate to make the country a better place.
We gather at this hallowed place because we believe in the American dream.
We face a race that tests if this country we cherish shall perish from the earth and if our earth shall perish from this country.
It falls to us to ensure that we do not fall, for a people that cannot stand together, cannot stand at all.
We are one family, regardless of religion, class, or color.
‘Poppies’ captures a mother’s heartache for her war-bound son, weaving symbols of memory with the scars of war’s aftermath.
Three days before Armistice Sunday
and poppies had already been placed
on individual war graves. Before you left,
I pinned one onto your lapel, crimped petals,
Jean Bleakney’s ‘Consolidation’ is a deeply personal poem about the act of rearranging the cowry shells that the speaker and her children gathered in the past.
Some sunny, empty afternoon
I’ll pool our decade’s worth
and more of cowrie shells
gathered from that gravel patch
‘Our Lady’ by Carl Phillips reflects on identity, mortality, and the transient nature of beauty and fame with poignant introspection.
In the final hour, our lady—Of
the electric rosary, Of the highway,
by then Of the snows mostly—was
‘This Morning I Pray for My Enemies’ by Joy Harjo is a powerful poem that reveals the razor-thin line that separates who we consider a friend or enemy.
And whom do I call my enemy?
An enemy must be worthy of engagement.
I turn in the direction of the sun and keep walking.
It’s the heart that asks the question, not my furious mind.
‘We Lived Happily during the War’ reflects complex feelings of guilt for US foreign policy decisions through the lens of one individual.
And when they bombed other people's houses, we
protested
but not enough, we opposed them but notenough.
support@poemanalysis.com
Poem Solutions Limited
Company no: 10883994
United Kingdom
Access Poetry PDF Guides
for this Poem
Complete Poetry PDF Guide
Perfect Offline Resource
Covers Everything You Need to Know
One-pager 'snapshot' PDF
Great Offline Resource
Gateway to deeper understanding
870+ Reviews
