Top 20 poems of 2020

The Poems that made our year

At Millennial Poets, we believe in the power of poetry.

We honor poetry for its ability to change us, to make us feel less alone, to see us, to help us breathe easier, or to give us the words to finally name that feeling that has held us spellbound.

Not ever has anyone needed more poetry than this year of our Lord, 2020. Hence, we honor these poets and their words that got us through it.

1. Love Letters to My Failures by Maryann Samreth. Written before the global pandemic, this poem has served as an affirmation for the troubled year and the unknown of the coming year. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/love-letters-to-my-failures-99014484f413
2. To Rise Like a Phoenix by Natalie Jeane Maddy - who reminded us that change is the only constant thing, and we must give way to self rebirth, time and time again. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/to-rise-like-a-phoenix-90b7020e4bf0
3. Until Tomorrow Covid-19 Haiku Chronicles by John Ross. Beautiful Haikus and imagery that made social distancing a bit less lonely. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/until-tomorrow-covid-19-haiku-chronicles-b7123d241752
4. My Coping Mechanisms For This Pandemic Are Failing by Andrew Beso. A poem and a rant that captured the angst of quarantine. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/my-coping-mechanisms-for-this-pandemic-are-failing-6378fa1b63a6
5. Tiny Little Miracles by Scott B. Heaton. A wholesome poem of how we are more alike than not. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/tiny-little-miracles-d7744a9060c0
6. Flirty Desire by Hung Phung. A beautiful homage to Spring. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/flirty-desire-65d025918f70
7. The State of Humanity in Post-Quarantine by Karen Tang. A prose poem that’s imaginining a near future we all long for. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/brief-thoughts-on-the-state-of-humanity-in-post-quarantine-a29beb3377e6
8. How Life Works by Dayton O’Donnell. A beautiful, lyrical poem that shows us life is all about connection. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/how-life-works-45a94d06fb6e
9. Beyond by Robin Khatri. Robin imagined beyond our present, and for that we are grateful. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/beyond-d6ab7ed54e96
10. Recipe for Happiness by Ramalingam Monisha. The best cheesy poem you’ll read all year. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/recipe-for-happiness-5efb3fae5243
11. The Day I Moved into My Body by Oakley Roberts. Simply beautiful and profound. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/the-day-i-moved-into-my-body-ab917d9c43d
12. Moonlighting by Charlie J. Mitchelli. Questions and answers that reminds us we are not alone. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/moonlighting-bfe550eedc12
13. A lullaby by Nerdqueen1767. Mental health irony drips here. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/a-lullaby-5e20626f9f3
14. A Mother’s Gift by Herlina M. As beautiful and original as a mother’s love. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/a-mothers-gift-ae9e315aca7b
15. A Haiku on Writing by Oakley Roberts. I’m a fan of Oakley Roberts, you should be too. ://medium.com/millennial-poets/a-haiku-on-writing-b0007938d7b9
16. Drifting away from you by Karen Tang. It wouldn’t be Millennialpoetry without unrequited love. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/drifting-away-from-you-15dca25cc78a
17. The Lights Went Out by Natalie Jeanne Maddy. Struggling with depression? You’re not alone. ://medium.com/millennial-poets/the-lights-went-out-45ef0a7fad07
18. my mother in a coffee shop by Maddie Lovern. Achingly delightful. https://medium.com/@maddielovern/my-mother-in-a-coffee-shop-dd270a3c59e4
19. The Door is Open by Talor Moran. If you read nothing at all, read the last line. Profound. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/the-door-is-open-e3a06fb01307
20. New Year’s Poem by Sean Zukerman written on 31st of 2019 and published on January 2020 is an evergreen summon for the hopes of a new year. https://medium.com/millennial-poets/new-years-poem-c2ba5dd83d86

I hope in rereading these poems you find respite for this year and hope for the coming one.

Cheers to a better 2021,
Busayo Oyewole
Editor, MillennialPoets