Amanda Gorman, Biden's Inaugural Poet

At just the age of 22, Amanda Gorman made history by becoming the youngest inaugural poet in American History. Not only did she amaze the country with her young wisdom, but she also inspired America with her powerful words. As Michelle Obama said herself, Amanda "exuded confidence.

“The Hill We Climb” is the poem that Amanda wrote and performed for the 46th Inauguration. Throughout the poem she utilizes many different symbols including lightness/darkness and hope/fear to depict the two opposing sides of America: Those being the people who want to unify, and those who want to divide. Her poem was a 110 line free verse masterpiece that inspired and brought hope to the American people.

Highlighting the first stanza of her poem, she begins by speaking on what we've learned as a country. She uses metaphors to convey the main message by stating this:

“When day comes we ask ourselves,

where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry,

a sea we must wade

We’ve braved the belly of the beast”

As the poem progresses, Amanda speaks on unity and being able to transition to a new age peacefully. She describes America reigning victorious by overcoming our differences and sticking together. Although some may not abide by those principles, most will.. As Amanda said herself, when speaking to Michelle Obama, “Poetry is the lens we use to interrogate the history we stand on and the future we stand for.”

Linked below is the full excerpt of her poem “The Hill We Climb”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ055ilIiN4

- Gianna Rivera