“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.

We’ve learned that
quiet isn’t always peace.

In the norms and notions
of what just is isn’t always justice.”

AMANDA GORMAN
INAUGURATION POET LAUREATE

“And yet, the dawn is ours
before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.  
Somehow we’ve weathered
and witnessed a nation
that isn’t broken,
but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country
and a time where
a skinny Black girl
descended from slaves
and raised by a single mother
can dream of becoming president
only to find herself reciting for one.

And yes, we are far from polished,
far from pristine,
but that doesn’t mean
we are striving to form a union
that is perfect.

We are striving
to forge our union with purpose.
To compose a country
committed to all cultures,
colors, characters,
and conditions of man.”

amanda gorman

“We lay down our arms
so we can reach out our arms
to one another.

We seek harm to none
and harmony for all.

Let the globe,
if nothing else,
say this is true.

That even as we grieved,
we grew.

That even as we hurt,
we hoped.

That even as we tired,
we tried

that will forever be tied
together victorious.

Not because we will never again
know defeat,
but because we will never again
sow division.”

AMANDA GORMAN

“We will not march back
to what was
but move to what shall be

a country that is bruised,
but whole,
benevolent,
but bold,
fierce,
and free.

We will not be turned around
or interrupted by intimidation
because we know our inaction
and inertia
will be the inheritance
of the next generation.

Our blunders
become their burdens.

But one thing is certain,
if we merge mercy
with might
and might
with right,
then love
becomes our legacy
and change
our children’s birthright.”

amanda gorman

“So let us leave behind a country
better than one we were left with.

Every breath
from my bronze-pounded chest
we will raise
this wounded world
into a wondrous one.

We will rise
from the gold-limbed hills
of the west.

We will rise
from the wind
-swept north-east
where our forefathers
first realized revolution.

We will rise
from the Lake Rim cities
of the midwestern states.

We will rise
from the sun-baked south.

We will rebuild,
reconcile
and recover
in every known nook
of our nation,
in every corner
called our country
our people
diverse
and beautiful
will emerge battered
and beautiful.”

amanda gorman

“When day comes,
we step out of the shade
aflame and unafraid.

The new dawn blooms
as we free it.

For there is always light.

If only we’re brave enough
to see it.”

amanda gorman

“If only we’re brave enough

to be it.“

amanda gorman