'Poetry has had an amazing impact'

‘People have been washing their hands while reciting 20-second poems and lifting their spirits with longer ones. It's clear from social media that poetry has had an amazing impact during the pandemic, offering solace and inspiration. People have been reading poetry, writing poetry, learning it by heart. It's been a grim time in so many ways, but there's no question; the pick-me-up of poetry has made a powerful and positive difference.'

Gyles Brandreth talking in Bookbrunch about his daily Twitter recitals of favourite poems, many from his anthology, Dancing by the Light of the Moon, which have drawn 1.65 million views since March. Online poetry performances by actors Andrew Scott, Patrick Stewart and Helena Bonham Carter have drawn audiences exceeding 20 million since then.