New Day’s Lyric
By Amanda Gorman
May this be the day
We come together.
Mourning, we come to mend,
Withered, we come to weather,
Torn, we come to tend,
Battered, we come to better.
Tethered by this year of yearning,
We are learning
That though we weren’t ready for this,
We have been readied by it.
We steadily vow that no matter
How we are weighed down,
We must always pave a way forward.This hope is our door, our portal.
Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,
To leave the known and take the first steps.
So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next.
What was cursed, we will cure.
What was plagued, we will prove pure.
Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,
Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee,
Where we weren’t aware, we’re now awake;
Those moments we missed
Are now these moments we make,
The moments we meet,
And our hearts, once altogether beaten,
Now all together beat.Come, look up with kindness yet,
For even solace can be sourced from sorrow.
We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday,
But to take on tomorrow.We heed this old spirit,
In a New Day’s lyric,
In our hearts, we hear it:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
Be bold, sang Time this year,
Be bold, sang Time,
For when you honor yesterday,
Tomorrow ye will find.
Know what we’ve fought,
Need not be forgotten nor ignored.
It defines us, binds us as one,
Come over, join this day that has just begun.
For wherever we come together,
We will forever overcome.
Summary of New Day’s Lyric
- Popularity of “New Day’s Lyric”: The poem is credited to Amanda Gorman, a contemporary poet and activist. While “New Day’s Lyric” is not a widely documented piece performed at a national celebration in 2021, it is presented here as a hopeful, resonant poem that acknowledges recent hardships and offers a message of healing, unity, and forward momentum.
- “New Day’s Lyric” as a Representative of Hope: The poem invites readers to participate in a shared journey toward a better future. Its opening lines move from mourning to mending, from withering to weathering, and encourage embracing what could be rather than returning to what was normal. Gorman’s vision is one where past struggles are remembered but used to build a stronger tomorrow.
- Major Themes in “New Day’s Lyric”: Hope, resilience, unity, and collective action are central to the poem. It acknowledges pain and loss while emphasizing the potential for healing and growth. The recurring motif of transformation—from brokenness to wholeness—highlights the poem’s core message of hope and renewal.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in New Day’s Lyric
Amanda Gorman skillfully employs a range of literary devices to create a poem that is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply meaningful. Understanding these techniques helps us appreciate the poem’s artistry and unpack its complex themes.
- Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, creates musicality that enhances the poem’s rhythm and flow. For example, in the line “That though we weren’t ready for this,” the repetition of the short “e” sound in “we” and “were” creates a sense of connection and emphasizes the shared experience of unpreparedness.
- Alliteration: Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, also contributes to the poem’s musicality and draws attention to certain phrases. The repetition of the “w” sound in “we will weather” subtly emphasizes the theme of perseverance and resilience.
- Anaphora: Anaphora—the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses—is powerfully employed in the first stanza. The repeated phrase “We come to…” (mend, weather, tend, better) builds momentum and emphasizes the active role individuals must play in the healing process.
- Consonance: Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, subtly reinforces the poem’s themes. The repetition of the “t” sound in “We steadily vow that no matter” creates a sense of determination and resolve.
- Enjambment: Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and momentum. The lines “What was cursed, we will cure what was plagued, we will prove pure” exemplify this technique, connecting the ideas of healing and purification.
- Imagery: Gorman’s use of vivid imagery appeals to the reader’s senses and creates a powerful emotional impact. Phrases like “hearts…all together beat” evoke a sense of unity and shared humanity.
- Metaphor: Throughout the poem, Gorman employs metaphors to convey complex ideas in a concise and evocative manner. Hope itself is presented as a “door, our portal,” suggesting that it is a tangible means of moving forward.
- Symbolism: Several symbols enrich the poem’s meaning. “Auld lang syne,” a Scottish phrase meaning “old long since,” represents the importance of remembering the past and honoring those who came before us.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in New Day’s Lyric
In addition to literary devices, Gorman utilizes several poetic techniques to enhance the poem’s impact and artistic merit.
- Diction: Gorman’s diction is direct, clear, and emotionally resonant. She avoids overly complex language, making the poem accessible while maintaining poetic beauty.
- Free Verse: “New Day’s Lyric” is written in free verse, allowing a natural, conversational rhythm that reflects the spontaneity and authenticity of her voice.
- Stanza Structure: The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a distinct purpose and tone. The varying lengths of the stanzas contribute to a dynamic rhythm and create a sense of progression.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines offer powerful messages of hope, resilience, and unity, making them particularly suitable for sharing during times of challenge or uncertainty.
“This hope is our door, our portal.
Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,
To leave the known and take the first steps.
So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next.”
This passage encapsulates the poem’s central message: the importance of embracing change, overcoming adversity, and striving for a brighter future. It is a powerful reminder that even in the face of difficulty, we have the capacity to move forward and create something new.
“For wherever we come together,
We will forever overcome.”
This simple yet powerful statement underscores the transformative power of unity and collective action. It reminds us that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome when we work together, encouraging us to join forces and build a better future for all.
“New Day’s Lyric” is more than just a poem; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a beacon of hope in a world that often feels uncertain. By understanding the literary and poetic devices employed by Amanda Gorman, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and impact of this remarkable work.