The poetic responses to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic reflect this function of poetry. People looked for a medium to fill the physical gap of social connection after a pandemic left the world feeling confused, anxious, and lonely. Levine (2020) discusses the importance of pandemic poetry, which creates "impressions of our own uncertainty" (p. 24). Bennett's "Dad Poem" (2021) provides proof of the importance of verse's linking ability. The directness of his poetry draws attention to its capacity for connection, where "you" establish a relationship with a youngster who would otherwise be out of reach, giving them a "veiled vision" and "second-hand sight" (Bennett, 2021, p. 17).
