The Timeless Beauty of “The Hill We Climb”
Amanda Gorman’s poem at the Inauguration of Joe Biden is a master work
The National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, at only 22 years of age, gave a masterclass in poetry, performance, art, and understanding of the human condition at the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021.
The depth of her poem “The Hill We Climb” is so great — in part because we know she completed significant parts of it in the hours following the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol — but also because it captures something about every hopeful American.
It is one that admits our imperfection and vulnerability, celebrates our hope, optimism, and common good, and champions our resolve and strength in each other.
You can watch the poem here:
And here’s the transcript:
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…
