’What We Carry‘
To say I was impressed with Amanda Gorman’s recitation of her poem “The Hill We Climb” at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration is an understatement. Three years have not diminished my admiration for this young poet. This week she performed her poem “What We Carry” with world-renowned cellist Jan Vogler on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Even if you are not a fan of poetry, I encourage you to take a listen. Her words, her delivery, the accompaniment all make for a sublime performance.
Because words and language are the tools of my trade, my favorite line in the poem is “Language is a life craft. Yes, language is a life raft.” I should get that printed on a T-shirt.
The 25-year-old is the National Youth Poet Laureate, the first ever to hold the literary position. Besides being a best-selling poet, Gorman is a filmmaker and activist, and she intends to run for president in 2036. Godspeed.
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So beautiful it almost defies comment. Almost.... The beauty of her words and presentation just about overshadow the beauty of the music and I am a huge cello fan, but sometimes that is the best kind of music...it's there but you don't need to think about it. Also, one of my many thoughts is that, try as I may, I cannot feel any sympathy for all the MAGA folks who will never feel the joy I feel from hearing this, and all the feel is hate...what lifts them up is hate not love. I prefer love and hope. I now have a reason to really work hard to live till 2036 if it fact it is true she plans to run for president!
Amanda Gorman and her poetry never fail to fill me with wonder and hope. The addition of the cello here is brilliant and touched my heart deeply.
I am a retired English teacher, and of course poetry is one of my loves. Dan, I agree with you about the impact of the line, “Language is a life craft. Yes, language is a life raft.” Immediately, my mind went to how I would make a poster with that quote for my classroom if I were still teaching, along with ideas for lesson plans using those beautiful words. Language sustains us.