Amanda Gorman : Our Young Heroine “The Hill We Climb.”

I want to create poems that stand the test of time and counter the fragmented news culture of today…..Amanda Gorman

The first thing that caught my eye was the yellow full-length coat, the red satin Prada headband, and the intricacy of her braided cornrows. Then there was the closeup – and her lovely open face. Her inviting, perfect smile welcomed the world onto the stage.

America’s Daughter

What a perfect selection. This young woman is America’s daughter. At 22, Amanda is the first National Youth Poet Laureate and the youngest among the previous inaugural poets. Which included; Robert Frost, the first poet invited to an inauguration. He, for Kennedy. Maya Angelou|Clinton, Miller Williams| Clinton, Elizabeth Alexander|Obama and Richard Blanco|Obama.

As talented as her predecessors were, they did not face the challenges that Amanda did. She worked on the poem before January 6th and was about halfway through when pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol. With her adrenaline running high, she completed the poem. Adding verses to depict the chaos at the Capitol:

   "We've seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it,
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed,
it can never be permanently defeated."

In keeping with the theme of the inauguration, “America United,” the Biden team asked Amanda to focus on unity and hope. Which, as we know, was threated on January 6th. Amanda later talked about how the day’s emotions raged around her, and the verses demanded truth.

Courage & Grace

“In my poem, I’m not going to in any way gloss over what we’ve seen over the past few weeks and, dare I say, the past few years. But what I really aspire to do in the poem is to be able to use my words to envision a way in which our country can still come together and can still heal,” she said. “It’s doing that in a way that is not erasing or neglecting the harsh truths I think America needs to reconcile with.”

“Somehow, we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished,” she read. “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 a union with purpose.”

She read in rhythmic lit as her hands performed a delicate ballet accentuating her words. We were all mesmerized by this stunning young woman. She radiated joy, conviction, and enthusiasm as she read The Hill We Climb. A few observers thought she evoked what poet Kae Tempest calls the “Brand New Ancients:” the divinity that walks among us in the present day. According to Greek mythology, nine muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, inspire creative endeavors, with five devoted to different kinds of poetry – epic, romantic, lyric, comic or pastoral and sacred. With her words, Amanda suggested a new poetic muse – one to inspire the poetry of democracy.

She did not want her words to dwell on the rancor, racism, and division surrounding us. She wanted her words to speak of pain and possibilities, of becoming something else, something better… “I use my words to envision a way in which our country can still come together can still heal.” As her poem declares:

"We lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know to put our future first,
we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another,
we seek harm to none and harmony for all."

We have Dr. Jill Biden to thank for seeking out Amanda Gorman. Three years ago, Dr. Biden attended an event at the Library of Congress and heard Amanda recite a poem she had written in the wake of the Charlottesville march…The poem – In This Place (an American lyric). Amanda Gorman was Dr. Biden and President Biden’s first choice for the Inaugural Poet Laureate.

Amanda describes her background as a “skinny black girl, descended from slaves and raised by a single mother,” who can dream of being president one day, “only to find herself reciting for one,” she says.

Amanda’s mother, Joan Wicks, a middle-school English teacher, had her own obstacles to overcome. Amanda and her twin sister, Gabrielle, an activist and filmmaker, were born prematurely. The three Gormans formed a unit of smart, strong-minded, loving women. When in kindergarten, Amanda was diagnosed with an auditory disorder that gave her a speech impediment. In third grade, her teacher introduced her to poetry, and it was through writing and reciting poetry that she found her voice. And her mentor – Maya Angelou.

In 2014, at the young age of 16, Amanda founded a non-profit to support poetry workshops and youth advocacy leadership skills, called One Pen One Page. In 2015 she published her first book of poetry, One For Whom Food Is Not Enough. She then went on to Harvard and graduated in 2020. Along with Harvard, another high point was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton. She memorized and recited the words to – Aaron Burr, Sir, to help her pronounce her “R”‘s. Which up until that point an been a major speech obstacle.

Style & Ambition

Right now, Amanda is ready for the world stage. She is excited about her future and the opportunities that are coming her way. One industry that came knocking immediately – Fashion. Her red headband and yellow jacket were both sold out at Prada with-in hours. “I’m a black woman with a powerful pen and a big heart, and I like my look to reflect that pride.” She went on to say, “I love loud, regal-looking dresses embroidered with flowers – a nod, I think, to my Afro-flower-child upbringing in Los Angeles. I’m also a fan of Victor Glemaud’s super stylish and comfy knitwear.”

Where does this bright, effervescent talent go from here? UP, it’s the only way. Amanda Gorman strikes me as a young woman who knows where she is going, why, and how to get there! What a wonderful thing to have so much in front of you at 22…

"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 tired, we tried,
that we'll forever be tied together, victorious."

I loved researching and finding out who Amanda Gorman is? I have to say I have a crush on this amazing young woman. And, I have confidence not only in her but in the youth of the world. I’m good with “let a child lead the way!”

And, a finial word from Amanda:

Future Madam President It should come as little surprise that the White House is already on her bucket list. “This is a long, long, faraway goal, but 2036 I am running for office to be president of the United States,” she said matter-of-factly. “So you can put that in your iCloud calendar.”

And I will…