Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman Is A Source of Inspiration

The stimulating words of 22 year old Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, touched my heart as l was reminded of my love for poetry. Amanda’s words emanated from her lips as she recited such powerful prose based on her poem The Hill We Climb, “A nation of all people. By all people, for all people.” These puissant, articulate expressions were given at the inauguration of President Biden as millions listened intensely. This was an excellent reminder of how we should live united together as a human race under the rulership of our Grand Creator Jehovah God.

This extremely, talented poet Amanda Gorman reminded me of the hope we have for our young people now and in the future. Amanda was interviewed by anchorman Anthony Mason of CBS This Morning news. He revealed how originally this talented young woman had difficulty performing. Gorman sadly acknowledged, “As a child, as a toddler growing up l had a speech impediment.” Mason was surprised as he asked, “How long did you have that speech impediment?“ Amanda responded, “Oh, gosh. I would say, through Sophomore year of college. When you have to teach yourself how to pronounce the American alphabet. When you teach yourself over years how to say your own name. You gain a real appreciation for the musicality and complexity of sound. So often people would say, wow it’s amazing you’ve done all this despite your speech impediment. I say, l’ve done all of it because of that experience.” I related to this statement because as a young woman growing up in the south there were certain words l couldn’t pronounce. When my family moved from the south to the north, l was embarrassed and would get teased about my southern twang. Amanda’s words reminded me of how l fought to overcome these challenges.

During the interview with Mason, Amanda Gorman was shown at the inauguration speaking these poetically, powerful words, “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.” Amanda Gorman is a source encouragement for me as a writer and poet. I just want to say to Amanda, thank you for your inspiration.

#Mommy Sleeps Endlessly

Melancholy controls my dreams

as I see you there

lying straight-backed

devoid of life's wetness

An embryo within you was my origin,

this retention is mine for

wakefulness resides no longer.

Oblivious my state remains.

I clawed the glass box

that holds your torso

sleeping upon satin pillows.

An isolated escape into our memories,

you never enlisted.

The realization that they were

no longer ours but mine.

I dangle from the tightrope

threatened by your sedated breath.

The Entity

Pointed roofs, snow covered

smoke seeps from distant brick structures

transmigration of light shines

never comparable to your glorious white beauty,

for it is temporary

I will awake and see you no more

as sunlit waves encroach you.

I walk about in my lumber, glass filled box

attempting to capture your magnificence

in print and sight.

Oaks standing tall among a variety of creatures.

I write by moonlight

so surreal and splendid.

Beguiler, you are

the frigidness envelops me

your brawny touch penetrates my essence.

Upon His Chest

Soothingly, I abide

love entangles my heart.

No utterances shared,

awake I cannot be.

My head heavily upon his chest,

fragrance of midnight breath,

joyously fill my nostrils, yet I remain.

Lingering, solitude fulfills me,

flashes of salvation.

Only death could pluck me

from the midst of pure ecstacy.

If expiration is inevitable,

let this be my burial place.