Poetry and pandemic: new realities of Covid-19

Literature has always excelled in skillfully dealing with all kinds of crises, offering readers different ways to combat and cope with completely unexpected challenges; and it also puts forward possible answers to philosophical, moral and social questions. At a time when the Humanities seemed to be almost irrelevant, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 put literature and its role in society in the spotlight. This article explores the work of two poets who achieved prominence during the pandemic, the online performance poet, Dani Orvizl, and Bego & ntilde;a M. Rueda, who in Servicio de lavanderia (2021) narrated her experiences in verse during the pandemic, in order to demonstrate how literature is exceptionally attentive to the needs of society. It quickly reacts to unexpected events by providing critical thoughts and ideas while adapting to new forms that allow it to evolve according to the current circumstances. The article highlights poetry not only as a tool to combat the monotony of lockdowns but also as a critical device that gives voice to social concerns and human distress.