Presidential Poetry

Poet Elizabeth Alexander, who delivered the Inaugural Poem has published several books. American Sublime is one that Booklist called a "powerful contribution to American poetry." I loved this line from her poem today: "on the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light." I feel that everyone has the sense, even as find ourselves in these troubled times, that we are indeed on the brink of a new age. Here is the transcript of the poem, as provided by CQ Transcriptions, as provided by the New York Times.

Praise song for the day.

Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."

We encounter each other in words, words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other side; I know there's something better down the road."

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light.

Comments

[Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)]

This poem was very moving and probably resonated with many of the listeners. I loved that an inaugural poet was selected again and that she read a compelling, and timely piece. Horray for poetry and for Alexander. I'm kind of shocked that the poet laureate wasn't asked to read...isn't that one of the perks?!

[Ti]

Thanks for including the poem. I loved that line as well.

[Kendra Ann Thomas]

Simple, elegant, and relevant. She could not have done better.

[Alice Shapiro]

The poem was wonderful. It was great to have poetry as part of the Inauguration. Perhaps it will bring a new interest in reading poetry to the country.