This is part of the poem, The Hill We Climb, by Amanda Gorman. Gorman will read this poem today at the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Gorman, 22, is continuing a tradition that includes poets such as Robert Frost and Maya Angelou, and is the youngest poet in recent memory to deliver a poem at a presidential inauguration. She is a force.
Retirementally Challenged 
Hope this is the start of true success for her and for us.
As do I.
Janis, Wishing the entire country a peaceful transition of power. ❤️
Thank you, Erica! Fingers crossed.
Okay, so reading that brought me to tears. I could HEAR the cast of Hamilton singing “history has its eyes on us”. I think I’ll be crying a lot today—tears of joy and relief.
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I’m watching the inauguration now through tears of happiness.
It resonates. May we transition to some years of peace and kindness.
I surely hope so, Kate.
Thanks Janis. Democracy held serve. Four years ago before the outgoing president was inaugurated, his five biographers were interviewed together. They made an eerie prediction – the outgoing president will never accept a loss, he will say it was stolen from him. More troubling, his niece Mary said her uncle would “burn it all down to avoid losing the election.”
To rebuild the foundation of our democracy to help it withstand future tyrants, the incoming president must tell us the truth, then do it again tomorrow and the next day. Truth is not the enemy – it is the salve. Keith
I think you are right, Keith, and we’ve already hear a lot of truths this morning. We are off to a good start.
True. It was a breath of fresh air. Now the hard work of unity must begin.
The history of past failures shall teach us to strive for a better future.
I love what you wrote, Peter. Let us hope.
Hope today is a smooth transition & hope for a more peaceful & compassionate administration.
So far, so good. I think the ceremony today was a good beginning.
Still, there’s division in this country, and it won’t go away anytime soon. And yeah, i don’t expect this comment to see the light of day…liberals are liberals, they do what they do. Have a nice day.
This is immensely powerful! As your last post wisely states, we all need to be the change for true peace, equality and democracy to take place.
Did you get to watch Amanda? She truly is an inspiration. She even overcame a speech impediment when she was young.
I watched every moment of it. Her absolute brilliance is beyond words!
It’s a bright new day for you, and the world. The inauguration was inspiring – a deep cleansing breath after the past 4 nightmare years.
Deb
Even with the restrictions, the inauguration was an inspiring event.
I was transfixed by Amanda Gorman’s reading.
She really is amazing. I want to read more of her poems (or, better yet, hear her preform them).
I watched the inauguration earlier and saw Amanda read her poem. I’m glad it all passed off peacefully and hope that Biden’s plea for unity is heeded. Of course, every country (every group of people which numbers 2 or more!) has divisions but in the words of Jo Cox, the MP who was murdered during the Brexit campaign, “we have more in common than that which divides us”.
“We have more in common than that which divides us” was the prevailing message. But, yes, we’ll see if it’s heeded. Fingers crossed.
What a wonderful reading of the poem she did at the Inauguration! Like Biden’s speech, it gave a moving picture of a richly diverse and optimistic America.
And (to be trivial) that wonderful hair!
I started to see the buzz about her several days before and was so impressed. Can you imagine having such grace and elegance speaking at such a historic occasion? And, yes, her hair was a work of art.
Wasn’t she wonderful?! Eloquence. I almost forgot we are capable of it! – Marty
I hope we see – and hear – more of her. I remember having my stomach tied up in knots four years ago. It finally feels like I can breath freely again.
I had never heard of this woman until today when she spoke at the inauguration. I was mesmerized by her presence and her words and her joy. Our future is in good hands. She’s got it going on.
She is remarkable! Her presence at the inauguration was even more inspiring knowing that she overcame a speech impediment (just like President Biden… OMG, I loved wring those words) when she was young.
The whole of the world was watching today (well, except for most of us where it happened at 3 or 4 in the morning, but you get the idea). I’ve just googled this amazing young woman. I hope for you all (and for us all) this is the beginning of a change in energy.
Although I guess some aren’t happy 🙂 what I’m hearing is mostly joy. I imagine this won’t be the last we hear from Ms. Gorman either.
Wow, oh wow, Janis. Mark just showed me the YouTube video of Amanda reading her poem today at the inauguration. So powerful, majestic, complex, yet down to earth, and beautiful. It was incredibly impressive. Such a talent! And such true words, all in poem form. Worthy of a blog post!
I think I was looking forward to her reading even more than most of the speeches today… and she didn’t disappoint. As I was watching her, I kept thinking that I would have curled into a fetal position in front of all those people, but she knocked it out of the park. I’m glad you were able to see it.
Janis: such a day!
🙂
Never have I been so glued to the ‘tube’ (!)…and basked in the glow of the moment. Lots to deal with, but just for today, let’s celebrate!
I have been feeling lighter all day. And… they are having a real press conference, where they are actually answering questions, right now! Amazing!
Oh yeahhhhh!
She was inspiring to listen to and both her and a young boy who were present at the inauguration, both overcame a speech impediment just like President Biden with his stuttering.
So inspiring! I think that’s just what we need right now.
Amazing to see a woman sworn in as vice president of our nation!
I know, Terri! It’s hard to believe it took so long, but here we are.
Tears of joy and relief. Deep breaths, finally, after years of such an oppressive atmosphere. There is hope, and hard work. And the young, the old, the poets and diversity shall lead the way!
The whole ceremony felt so joyful. Just four years ago, we were walking in the Women’s March. My husband and I still haven’t come down from our high.
Amanda Gorman for prez – 2036! What a beautiful poem.
She was such an inspiration! I look forward to hearing more from her.
It was really a powerful and uplifting poem.
Reading it was inspiring, hearing her deliver it made my heart full.
And, hopefully, also a harbinger.
I am trying to remain positive… it’s a great feeling after four years of worry and uncertainty.
I watched this live through the sting of tears. If these words could affect me, a non-American, in such a powerful fashion, I can’t imagine how much deeper these words felt for you! ❤️
There was a lot of (good) crying going on around here too.
Amanda Gorman was a real highlight of the presidential inauguration. Of course, the entire ceremony was very moving, as was the evening program. Esther and I are overjoyed, as I know you are, to finally have an experienced, competent, and honest administration to solve our country’s tremendous problems.
Hi there! So great to see your comment! Yes, we are so thrilled with the changeover. So much to look forward to, including being able to travel again. I imagine you already have your (at least tentative) plans put in place.
Thanks, Janis. Sorry I have been such a stranger. It has not been a good year to be a travel blogger. I have used some of my pandemic stay-home time to do some advance travel research. Hopefully, we can do a domestic trip this fall.
Janis, here’s to a more positive future for us all. We still have a long way to go as far as race relations and gender equality. Each step counts towards the finish line. Beautiful poet and poem.
You are right. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and forget how far we still have to go.
I was spellbound by her poem and her delivery of it. And I’m someone who’s not too keen on poetry!
I’ve started to acquire a greater appreciation of poetry lately, and Amanda Gorman gave me even more. As much as I’m happy that Biden and Harris won, I think Amanda and Bernie stole the show 🙂
She was absolutely amazing as was her inspiring and hopeful poem. We watched the Inauguration twice, just to take it all in and sigh with relief that Biden and Harris were the final outcome. Peace and unity are truly what our country needs right now. Time will tell…thanks for sharing Amanda with us.
I wrote this after seeing her interviewed on PBS and before the actual presentation. I knew she’d do great but I didn’t know how outstanding she’d be. I have a feeling this won’t be the last we will hear from her.
Wasn’t she stunning. Her words took my breath away a couple of times.
She was amazing. And, I love that she is continuing to receive recognition and high praise.
While listening to Amanda reciting her poem Maya Angelou came to mind. Her delivery amazing, her words hopeful and inspiring. I’m sure we will hear more from her.
Amanda mention Maya Angelou as an inspiration, not only as a great poet, but as someone else who overcame a speech impediment when young. That she has achieved so much at such a young age makes me want to follow her accomplishments into the future.
Amanda Gorman stole the show! She was articulate, had great content and superb delivery. And she is beautiful. So impressive!! Interestingly she only recently overcame her speech impediment. She talks about it on an interview with Anderson Cooper and how she spent hours practising her R’s which were hard for to pronounce.
Peta
I’ve seen a few interviews of her both before and after her presentation and I continue to be in awe of her. You could tell that Anderson Cooper was too. I imagine she’ll be a force for a long, long time.
Inspirational words by Amanda. That must fill many Americans with hope and joy looking forward.
They certainly did. And, I’ve heard, they inspired and gave hope to many outside our borders.
Isn’t that wonderful?
She was awesome! You have illustrated her words well. Yes, the world is watching us.
Fortunately, the world has discovered her and embraced her. She will go far, I’m sure.
I agree wholeheartedly, Janis. Her delivery was as breathtaking as her poetry. And she is a stunning young woman.
She made my heart soar.
I know, mine too. I guess that’s how nearly everyone reacted.