English
The poet, Amanda Gorman, first came to the world’s attention when she recited her poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ at Joe Biden’s inauguration as President in 2021.
Prior to that, at the age of 20, she wrote the poem ‘Earthrise’ for the Climate Reality Project in 2018. It was inspired by the photograph taken during Apollo 8’s mission to the moon (see right).
Read an excerpt from the poem on the next page and answer the following questions:
- Pick out 5 unusual words that stand out to you from the poem and write their meaning down.(E.g. disparities, riddled and advocating)
- What do you think the central message of the poem regarding climate change is, and how does the poet convey this message through language and tone?
- How does the poet use metaphors and imagery in the poem to describe the Earth and our responsibility towards it?
- What is the significance of the repeated word "Now" in the poem, and how does it contribute to the sense of urgency?
- How does the poem encourage individuals, including young people, to take responsibility for addressing climate change, and what actions does it suggest we can take?
- Research the poet Amanda Gorman and other poems she has written. What facts can you find out about her (try to find at least 10)? Do you think she is an inspiration to young people? Why/Why not?
- Think of a topic, like climate change, that you are interested in. Write your own poem inspired by Amanda Gorman’s ‘Earthrise’ poem. Think about how you want to present your message to your reader. What techniques could you use to create an impact (E.g. repetition, rule of 3 etc). If you cannot think of your own topic use climate change as your inspiration.
- Amanda Gorman performs a lot of her poetry (check her out on YouTube) – Have a go at performing your own poem! Perhaps you can even video it!
Excerpt from ‘Earthrise’ by Amanda Gorman
Climate change is the single greatest challenge of our time,
Of this, you’re certainly aware.
It’s saddening, but I cannot spare you
From knowing an inconvenient fact, because
It’s getting the facts straight that gets us to act and not to wait.
So I tell you this not to scare you,
But to prepare you, to dare you
To dream a different reality,
Where despite disparities
We all care to protect this world,
This riddled blue marble, this little true marvel
To muster the verve and the nerve
To see how we can serve
Our planet. You don’t need to be a politician
To make it your mission to conserve, to protect,
To preserve that one and only home
That is ours,
To use your unique power
To give next generations the planet they deserve.
We are demonstrating, creating, advocating
We heed this inconvenient truth, because we need to be anything but lenient
With the future of our youth.
And while this is a training,
in sustaining the future of our planet,
There is no rehearsal. The time is
Now
Now
Now,
Because the reversal of harm,
And protection of a future so universal
Should be anything but controversial.
So, earth, pale blue dot
We will fail you not.
