'Astonishing': Woman's 'deeply moving' moment at inauguration
A young poet has stolen the show at Joe Biden’s inauguration with powerful words that offered a hopeful vision for a deeply divided country.
Amanda Gorman, 22, is the youngest poet in US history to mark the transition of presidential power with her poem “The Hill We Climb”.
She has joined the ranks of previous inaugural poets Robert Frost, Maya Angelou and Elizabeth Alexander with her moving performance at the swearing-in of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
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“We are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect,” Gorman said during the inauguration.
“We are striving to forge a union with purpose, to compose a country committed to all cultures, colours, characters and conditions of man.”
Gorman went on to say differences must be put aside and “we seek harm to none and harmony for all”.
“We close the divide because we know to put our future first,” she said.
“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 we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.”
She added while the nation was not prepared to be heirs “of such a terrifying hour”, they have found the power to “author a new chapter”.
Gorman said the country was “bruised but whole” and would not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation.
Poet calls on Americans to rise above hatred
Speaking on the steps of the US Capitol just two weeks after a violent mob laid siege to the seat of American government with Confederate flags, pipe bombs and a noose, Gorman said Americans could rise above the hatred.
"While democracy can be temporarily delayed, it can never be permanently defeated," Gorman said.
"Let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left.
"We will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one."
She ended her poem by saying a new dawn has bloomed.
“If only we’re brave enough to see it,” she said.
“If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
Young poet praised by scores from across political spectrum
Critical acclaim poured from across the country and the political spectrum.
Stacey Abrams, the Democratic organiser and gubernatorial candidate from Georgia, said "Amanda Gorman's message serves as an inspiration to us all”.
Singer Sheryl Crow tweeted: "If the future looks like inaugural poet laureate Amanda Gorman, we are in good shape. Wise and inspiring."
Others also praised the young woman’s five-minute speech as a “powerful moment”.
“Amanda Gorman’s spoken word performance today is astonishing,” one said.
“She stole the show... I felt hopeful today,” another commented.
“Amanda Gorman triumphed on this glorious, historic day. Deeply moving speech,” a third added.
with Reuters
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