Written by Amanda Gorman 1/20/2021

Abridged and Adapted

The Hill We Climb

The loss we carry. A sea we must wade. We braved the belly of the beast.

We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is – isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it.

Somehow we weathered and witnessed a person that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.

….

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.

….

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.

….

In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has it’s eyes on us.

This is the era of just redemption.

We feared at its inception.

We did not feel prepared to be heirs of such a terrifying hour.

But within it we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter.

So, while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe, now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?

We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be: a people this 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, become the future.

….

We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover.

….

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.

If only we’re brave enough to be it.

Abridged and Adapted

Original writing titled “The Hill We Climb,” by Amanda Gorman – as preformed publicly on January 20, 2021

Full poem found here:
https://www.poetry.com/poem/60572/the-hill-we-climb