‘The Power of Adrienne Rich’ Captures a Forceful and Complicated Poet

Save the Children invited children from countries around the world to write short poems 

about COVID-19, life under lockdown, and how the pandemic has changed their lives. 

From Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, 

their lockdown poems bring to life the experiences of children living through this pandemic. 

Despite their differences, their struggles are shared and they remain united in their hope for a brighter future.

Before the virus, I went to school, everything was happy.
Now I see people with face masks and few cars
but I am happier to have more time with my mom 

and I have more days to play.
I’m afraid that my family and friends will get sick.
I miss playing with my friends at school.
I miss visiting my grandparents at their house.
I dream about seeing my best friend and then us going to the beach.
While this [lockdown] happens, I draw pictures, I play and I do homework.
I hope that this ends so I can go back to seeing my friends.
When all this ends, I will go to the park to skate.
All this will pass, we will be fine, if we take care of ourselves

 [and] wash our hands, the virus will die.
Stay at home so we can go out.

(Photo Credit: savethechildren.org | Names have been changed)

Oh cry the best you can cry; I can feel the hold as it holds
You put our health at risk and our education has been halted by you
We can [no] longer go to school, we want to be in a learning environment
We find it hard to eat, street children, poor homes, suffering, 

fending for themselves
We wish you no successes every day running lives across the nation
You’ve become a thorn in our flesh
Our fears keep us awake a night, seeing and hearing new cases every day, putting us in a state of total confusion, 

not knowing what’s going to happen next.
We’re here to support each other, as children we can lead to our capacity
so stay safe by adhering to the preventative measures,

 each day will pass, we will walk together
-in love, no matter what comes our way.
We won’t compromise our fate to see a glowing nation without COVID-19 

so stay safe, stay at home, we will see you soon.

(Photo Credit: savethechildren.org | *Names have been changed)

Life was always fast-paced, we never slowed down,
Until everything stopped when Corona came to town.

Now all is quiet and there’s peace all around,
We’ve looked in our hearts and kindness we’ve found.

We learn now with mum, this is a new feature,
But we can’t wait to get back to our teacher.

I miss Sea Cadets, school, my friends and my dad,
I miss sharing the fun times and that makes me sad.

We’ve had social distancing picnics, social distancing walks,
Social distancing hugs and social distancing talks.

I’m looking forward to getting away,
The beach, the hotel and a perfect holiday.

When it is? I’ll throw my arms open wide,
And shout to the world, WE CAN ALL GO OUTSIDE!

Don’t give up hope, the end is in sight,
If we all stick together, we’ll all win this fight.

(Photo Credit: savethechildren.org | *Names have been changed)