13 Must-Read Amanda Gorman Poems

Amanda Gorman is an American poet whose work focuses on issues of feminism, race, marginalization, oppression, and the African diaspora. While she was at Harvard College, Gorman was the first to be named National Youth Poet Laureate of April 2017. Gorman came into the public spotlight in 2021 when she read her poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’ at President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

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The Hill We Climb

Amanda Gorman’s poem ‘The Hill We Climb’ is a moving depiction of the United States as it was on the cusp of President Biden’s inauguration in 2021.

'The Hill We Climb' is widely considered Amanda Gorman's best poem. It is certainly her best-known. The poem was read aloud to millions of viewers at the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2020. This was, for most, the first time they'd seen Amanda Gorman or heard her poetry, and she made a huge impression. This poem deals with contemporary issues like climate change, the pandemic, racial diversity, equality, etc. It encompasses almost every thought on the minds of Americans during the 2020 election.

When day comes we ask ourselves,

where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry,

a sea we must wade.

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Alarum

‘Alarum’ by Amanda Gorman speaks about extinction and the climate crisis, alluding to the fate of humankind if nothing changes.

This is a good Amanda Gorman poem that explores the divisions felt within American society, something that's commonly featured in her verse. Readers will likely recognize the debate between those who support climate action and those who do not while reading this text. It's hard to ignore the divisions in society, Gorman suggests, and the time to do something about them is now.

We're writing as the daughter of a / dying world / as

its new-faced alert. / In math, the slash / also called

the solidus / means division, divided by. / We were

divided / from each other, person / person. / Some

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Chorus of the Captains

Amanda Gorman’s ‘Chorus of the Captains’ is an occasional poem written for and performed at the 52nd Super Bowl. It describes the work of three American heroes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is a well-known Amanda Gorman poem that was written for the Superbowl. Gorman read the poem to a wide audience, watching the game from around the world. It celebrates American heroes, everyday people who are usually overlooked and unappreciated. The poem is uplifting and meant to inspire all who read it.

Today we honor our three captains

For their actions and impact in

A time of uncertainty and need.

They’ve taken the lead,

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There’s No Power Like Home

‘There’s No Power Like Home’ by Amanda Gorman is a beautiful testament to the difficulties associated with COVID-19 restrictions.

This powerful Amanda Gorman poem explores the COVID-19 pandemic and how social distancing and mask-wearing separated and united people. The poem is certainly one of her best on the subject. Readers familiar with her verse will recognize her use of language, imagery, and rhyme.

We were sick of home,

Home sick.

That mask around our ear

Hung itself into the year.

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This Sacred Scene

‘This Sacred Scene’ is a powerful and inspiring call for Americans who wish to overcome division and hate to make the country a better place.

Even though the poem is brand new, 'The Sacred Scene' is immediately high in Gorman's repertoire. The full circle nature of the performance, after establishing her self at another political event in 2021, only ensures that the poem will be read by more and more people in America and around the world.

We gather at this hallowed place because we believe in the American dream.

We face a race that tests if this country we cherish shall perish from the earth and if our earth shall perish from this country.

It falls to us to ensure that we do not fall, for a people that cannot stand together, cannot stand at all.

We are one family, regardless of religion, class, or color.

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Memorial

‘Memorial’ by Amanda Gorman is a poem about the past and how poets are able to use their writing to help readers relive it.

This is a good Amanda Gorman poem that is not generally considered her best. Despite this, it is well worth reading and displays a side to her verse that many readers will not be aware of. Rather than engaging directly with politics or social issues, it explores writing, and the way poets can imbue their poetry with memories.

When we tell a story.

We are living

Memory.

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In This Place (An American Lyric)

‘In This Place (An American Lyric)’ is a moving poem about American life and the tragedies, acts of bravery, and hope that shape the nation.

This is a memorable Amanda Gorman poem that celebrates the diversity of American life and its people. The poet takes readers on a tour, with her words, from place to place and experience to experience. She highlights heroic acts and terrible tragedies that shocked the world.

There’s a poem in this place—

in the footfalls in the halls

in the quiet beat of the seats.

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At First

‘At First’ by Amanda Gorman is a poem about language in the COVID-19 pandemic. The poem uses text messages to speak about how the pandemic changed everyone.

This is a good Amanda Gorman poem that explores the COVID-19 pandemic and how it united people and divided them. It uses a series of text messages to convey the poet's feelings about social distancing.

There were no words for what we witnessed.

When we talked to each other,

Our sentences were stilted

& stalled as a telegram.

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New Day’s Lyric

‘New Day’s Lyric’ by Amanda Gorman is poem written at the end of 2021 in order to usher in a more hopeful new year in 2022. The piece explores themes of hope and change.

This Amanda Gorman poem is a lovely example of her verse. It explores themes she's very well-known for, like promoting equal rights, celebrating American life, and presenting a positive image of the future. The poet shows off her incredible skill with language and imagery in this piece, inspiring readers to seek out their own new year changes.

May this be the day

We come together.

Mourning, we come to mend,

Withered, we come to weather,

#10

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The Miracle of Morning

‘The Miracle of Morning’ by Amanda Gorman is a direct message of hope in the face of suffering. Specifically, Gorman uses this poem to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and its outcome.

Amanda Gorman is well-known for her socially inspired poetry, and this piece is no exception. It engages with many themes she cares about, including social unity and a hopeful future vision. Her poem speaks to many issues that readers will be familiar with, mostly centered around the suffering people endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. This poem is highly relevant and should be regarded as one of her best pieces of poetry.

I thought I’d awaken to a world in mourning.

Heavy clouds crowding, a society storming.

But there’s something different on this golden morning.

Something magical in the sunlight, wide and warming.

#11

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School’s Out

‘School’s Out’ by Amanda Gorman is a powerful poem that explores the experiences of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is an Amanda Gorman poem about the pandemic and the ways that students suffered due to school events and then school itself being cancelled.

The announcement

Swung blunt as an axe-blow:

All students were to leave

Campus as soon as possible.

#12

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We Rise

‘We Rise’ by Amanda Gorman is a beautiful and inspirational poem that explores women’s power. The poet emphasizes how important it is for women to raise each other and ensure everyone has a voice.

This is an interesting example of Amanda Gorman's verse that taps into themes that she's very well known for. These include the power of hope, the unity of humanity, and more. The poem is not as influential as some of her other poems.

Today, everyone’s eyes

Are on us as we rise.

Today is the day women

Are paving the way,

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Earthrise

‘Earthrise’ by Amanda Gorman is a powerful contemporary poem about climate change, the Apollo 8 mission to the moon, and the future of the Earth.

This great Amanda Gorman poem is not quite as well-known as some of her other pieces of verse. It explores topics that readers will likely be very well aware of and have strong opinions about.

We’ve known (Stanza 4)

That we’re caught in the throes

Of climactic changes some say

Will just go away,

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