The beginning and final stanzas of the poem composed and read by essayist, poet, and teacher Elizabeth Alexander at the presidential inauguration, January 20, 2009:
Praise Song for the Day
A Poem for Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration
Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other's
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.
All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.
[...]
Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?
Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.
In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,
praise song for walking forward in that light.
"Praise Song for the Day" will be published in chapbook version by Elizabeth Alexander's publisher, Greywolf Press, next month. Meanwhile, the entire poem may be read online here. I've printed it out and put it where I can see it everyday ... on the fridge.
Thank you for this post. There is so much in this poem to savor and think about. I knew I would want to read it again and again, but I hadn't taken time to find it.
Posted by: Sharon | Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 06:45 AM
This past week really has been remarkable. The best way I can describe it is to say I've been fed or nourished, and am still digesting and assimilating it all.
Posted by: Kitty | Friday, January 23, 2009 at 02:01 PM