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.
Understanding Amanda Gorman’s “New Day’s Lyric”: A Journey of Hope and Resilience
Amanda Gorman, a celebrated contemporary poet, possesses a remarkable ability to capture the spirit of a moment and articulate a collective yearning for progress. Her poem, “New Day’s Lyric,” stands as a powerful testament to this gift, offering a profound message of hope, resilience, and unity. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding this inspiring work, exploring its core themes, intricate literary craftsmanship, and lasting impact. Delving into “New Day’s Lyric” reveals not only the poet’s artistry but also a universal call to action for collective healing and forward momentum.
New Day’s Lyric Summary: Embracing Tomorrow
“New Day’s Lyric” is a poignant and uplifting poem that addresses the challenges and hardships of recent times, transforming them into a catalyst for growth and collective action. The poem opens with an invocation for unity, acknowledging shared experiences of “mourning,” “withered,” “torn,” and “battered” states. It quickly pivots from these difficulties to a powerful declaration of resilience, asserting that while humanity may not have been “ready for this,” it has certainly been “readied by it.” This central idea emphasizes that adversity, though painful, can forge strength and determination.
The poem’s core message revolves around the imperative to move forward, not by returning to a past “normal,” but by venturing “beyond it” towards “what is next.” Gorman envisions a future where past curses are cured, plagues are purified, and disagreements give way to agreement. It is a vision of transformation, where missed moments are now actively made, and once “beaten” hearts now “all together beat.” The poem culminates in a powerful call to remember the past not for its sorrow alone, but as a foundation for building a brighter tomorrow. It invokes the spirit of “auld lang syne,” urging remembrance and boldness, ultimately affirming that through unity, “wherever we come together, / We will forever overcome.”
Central Idea and Noteworthy Knowledge
The central idea of “New Day’s Lyric” is the transformative power of collective resilience and forward-looking hope in the face of shared adversity. It champions the idea that challenges, rather than breaking us, can prepare us for a stronger, more unified future. The poem encourages a shift in perspective, urging readers to actively shape the future rather than passively longing for the past.
A noteworthy aspect of this poem is its accessible yet profound language, characteristic of Amanda Gorman’s style. It speaks directly to common human experiences of struggle and recovery, making its message universally resonant. The poem’s structure and rhythmic qualities also contribute to its memorability and impact, making it a powerful piece for reflection and shared recitation.
New Day’s Lyric Analysis: Unpacking Literary Devices
Amanda Gorman masterfully employs a rich tapestry of literary devices to imbue “New Day’s Lyric” with its profound emotional depth and resonant message. Understanding these techniques illuminates the poem’s artistry and enhances its impact.
Anaphora
Anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines, creates a powerful rhythmic effect and emphasizes key ideas. In the first stanza, Gorman uses anaphora to build momentum and underscore the active role in healing:
Mourning, we come to mend,
Withered, we come to weather,
Torn, we come to tend,
Battered, we come to better.
The repeated phrase “we come to” highlights a collective, intentional movement towards recovery and improvement, reinforcing the theme of shared agency.
Alliteration
Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds in close proximity, adds musicality and draws attention to specific phrases, enhancing their memorability and impact. Consider these lines:
We steadily vow that no matter
How we are weighed down,
We must always pave a way forward.
The repetition of the “w” sound in “we,” “weighed,” and “way” and the “p” sound in “pave” and “way” (phonetically similar to ‘w’) creates a subtle, flowing rhythm that underscores the determination to progress. Another example is “Withered, we come to weather,” where the repeated ‘w’ sound reinforces the idea of enduring through hardship.
Assonance
Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within words that are close together, contributes to the poem’s melodic quality and connects ideas. Observe the long “o” sound in:
This hope is our door, our portal.
The echoing “o” sound creates a sense of openness and possibility, linking the concepts of hope, entry, and transition. Similarly, the short “e” sound in “Mend,” “weather,” and “tend” in the opening stanza subtly weaves together the actions of healing.
Consonance
Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words or at the end of words, often creates a sense of texture or emphasis. The repeated “t” and “b” sounds in these lines are particularly striking:
And our hearts, once altogether beaten,
Now all together beat.
The hard “t” and “b” sounds mimic the rhythmic thumping of a heart, powerfully conveying the transition from brokenness to unified vitality.
Metaphor
Metaphor, a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using “like” or “as,” allows Gorman to convey complex ideas concisely and evocatively. Hope is presented as a tangible means of progression:
This hope is our door, our portal.
By equating hope with a “door” and a “portal,” the poem transforms an abstract concept into a concrete pathway, suggesting that hope is not merely a feeling but an active gateway to new possibilities and dimensions.
Imagery
Imagery, the use of descriptive language that appeals to the reader’s senses, creates vivid mental pictures and evokes strong emotions. The poem is rich with imagery that transitions from states of distress to states of renewal:
Mourning, we come to mend,
Withered, we come to weather,
Torn, we come to tend,
Battered, we come to better.
These lines evoke tactile and emotional sensations of damage and subsequent repair. Later, the image of “hearts, once altogether beaten, / Now all together beat” provides a powerful auditory and kinesthetic image of collective revival and unity.
Enjambment
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause or punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and momentum, mirroring the poem’s theme of continuous progress. Observe how the thought flows seamlessly here:
We are learning
That though we weren’t ready for this,
We have been readied by it.
The break after “learning” propels the reader into the subsequent lines, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the learning process and the continuous impact of experience. Another instance is “This hope is our door, our portal.
Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,” where the idea of moving forward transcends the line breaks.
Symbolism
Symbolism involves the use of objects, people, or ideas to represent something else, often a deeper, more abstract concept. The phrase “auld lang syne” serves as a potent symbol:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
This Scottish phrase, meaning “old long since,” symbolizes the importance of remembering the past, honoring shared history, and cherishing enduring connections. In the poem, it represents not a nostalgic longing for what is lost, but a recognition of the past’s role in shaping the present and informing the future. The “New Day” itself also symbolizes renewal, fresh starts, and the potential for positive change.
New Day’s Lyric Analysis: Exploring Poetic Devices
Beyond specific literary figures, Amanda Gorman’s “New Day’s Lyric” is shaped by broader poetic choices that contribute to its overall effect and accessibility.
Diction
Gorman’s diction, or word choice, is characterized by its clarity, directness, and emotional resonance. She employs a blend of accessible language and carefully chosen evocative words to convey profound messages without resorting to overly complex vocabulary. Words like “mend,” “weather,” “tend,” and “better” in the opening stanza are simple yet powerful verbs that convey action and transformation. The use of “portal” elevates the concept of a “door,” adding a touch of wonder and significance to the idea of hope. This precise diction ensures the poem’s message is both understandable and deeply moving.
Free Verse
“New Day’s Lyric” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict meter or rhyme scheme. This choice allows Gorman a natural, conversational rhythm that mirrors the authenticity and spontaneity of her voice. The varying line lengths and stanza structures create a dynamic flow, preventing monotony and allowing the emphasis to fall naturally on key words and phrases. This freedom in form enables the poem to feel immediate and personal, inviting the reader into a direct dialogue with its message.
Stanza Structure
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each contributing to a clear progression of thought and emotion. The varying lengths of these stanzas prevent a predictable rhythm and enhance the poem’s organic feel. The first stanza establishes the shared experience of hardship and the initial vow to move forward. The second stanza expands on the vision of transformation and the rejection of a return to the past. The third stanza introduces the theme of remembrance and drawing strength from sorrow. Finally, the fourth stanza culminates in a powerful call for unity and the promise of overcoming challenges. This deliberate structure guides the reader through a journey from acknowledgment of pain to an embrace of collective hope.
Key Messages from “New Day’s Lyric”
The enduring power of “New Day’s Lyric” lies in its ability to articulate universal truths and inspire action. Certain passages resonate particularly strongly, serving as beacons of the poem’s central themes.
“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 excerpt encapsulates the poem’s forward-looking philosophy. It challenges the notion of simply reverting to a previous state, instead advocating for courageous exploration of the unknown. It is a powerful reminder that progress often requires stepping beyond comfort zones and actively shaping a new reality, rather than passively waiting for the old one to reappear.
“For wherever we come together,
We will forever overcome.”
This concise yet profound statement serves as the poem’s ultimate affirmation. It underscores the transformative strength found in unity and collective action. In a world often marked by division, these lines offer a compelling vision of shared purpose, reminding all that even the most formidable obstacles can be surmounted when individuals join forces and work towards a common good.
The Enduring Impact of “New Day’s Lyric”
“New Day’s Lyric” is far more than a collection of verses; it is a profound articulation of the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and renewal. Through her masterful command of literary and poetic devices, Amanda Gorman crafts a message that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. The poem invites readers to reflect on shared experiences of adversity, to find strength in unity, and to embrace the promise of a brighter, self-created future. Its powerful call to action and its unwavering message of hope ensure that “New Day’s Lyric” will continue to inspire and uplift for generations to come, serving as a timeless guide for navigating challenging times with courage and optimism.