Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster.
First up was the euphoria of watching Trump leave Washington. Heck, even Jake got into the action and followed the chopper as it flew away from the White House.
The ceremony itself was intense. Not the least because of the undercurrent of uncertainty after the January 6th insurrection.
There were lots of inspiring moments - the first black, SE Asian woman sworn in as Vice-President and Biden's address were both impressive. Lady Gaga singing the national anthem. All impressive.
Nothing blew me aware more than a self-assured 22 year old who took the podium to recite the poem she had written as the youngest Inaugural Poet Laurette.
There have been many well-known Poet Laurettes but none are as likely to be remembered as Gorman will certainly be.
None of her predecessors faced the challenge that Gorman did. She set out to write a poem that would inspire hope and foster a sense of collective purpose, at a moment when Americans are reeling from a deadly pandemic, political violence and partisan division.
As she recited “The Hill We Climb,” in front of the Capitol in the bright sunlight, her voice animated and full of emotion, Gorman described 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 spoke about the weight of loss that the country has endured, in verses that reflected the fragile state of the country.
The poem and its delivery was a stunning success given the reaction it received. So many on social media were talking about the way it made them feel. I can't help but reflect upon the importance of Arts education in schools.