Yes Ms. Gorman. It's Been Some "Hill,"
by Ms. Keller, English & AP Teacher, iPreparatory Academy
by Ms. Keller, English & AP Teacher, iPreparatory Academy
“There isn’t much more joy than an English teacher seeing, hearing the nation marvel, quote, and revel in a poet’s words,” I posted on Facebook on January 20, 2021. Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet to deliver an Inaugural poem, dazzled audiences, journalists, and well, just about everyone. Everyone from teachers to CNN correspondents filled social media and the air waves with awe and praise for Amanda Gorman and her monumental poem. When I heard, days before, that Ms. Gorman, the National Youth Poet Laureate, was picked to recite the poem, a Democratic Presidential Inaugural tradition, my attention was piqued. I knew that Ms. Gorman had some big shoes to fill: the indomitable, Robert Frost; the queen of verse, Maya Angelou; and our own Miamian, Richard Blanco. However, I KNEW that this young lady would DAZZLE audiences. |
This is our youth. I knew that she, a graduate of Harvard University and already a well-known poet in her own right, would do the research. She would not only garner the intellect needed for the job, but she would be able, with her melodious youth, DELIVER, Spoken Word style.
This is our youth. I knew that she, a graduate of Harvard University and already a well-known poet in her own right, would do the research. She would not only garner the intellect needed for the job, but she would be able, with her melodious youth, DELIVER, Spoken Word style.
After watching her poem, rewatching her recite the poem, and reading and rereading her poem, I knew that night that in the morning, January 22, 2021, I would begin my Creative Writing class with a gentle but meaningful assignment—nudging my students to take a closer look at an extraordinary poem for an extraordinary moment in history. With permission of the authors, I reprint the assignment and the insights that follow. This school year has certainly been a “hill we climb,” but moments like these remind me why I am and will always be a teacher. |
Assignment: A listener/reader can love a poem for its intention or even a few lines. Choose either. Since I am forcing you to experience and read this poem, what, if anything-- an idea (you can summarize or quote), a line (quote), a group of lines (quote) are the most meaningful to you.
“We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation
rather than share it
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy
And this effort very nearly succeeded
But while democracy can be periodically delayed
it can never be permanently defeated”
rather than share it
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy
And this effort very nearly succeeded
But while democracy can be periodically delayed
it can never be permanently defeated”
Camila Lopez, Senior
This stanza was meaningful to me because it perfectly encapsulates what the last four years have felt like to me. At times, it felt like Donald Trump’s actions were completely overpowering the foundation of democracy this country is based on. It felt very hopeful for me to hear and read this specific stanza, inspiring me to believe that no matter how horrible and unfair the last four years were, democracy was only “delayed” not “defeated” or collapsed. Specifically with the capital attacks this month, which I know inspired this poem, it is very important to hear that this country will move on and continue to grow despite the things we have seen.
This stanza was meaningful to me because it perfectly encapsulates what the last four years have felt like to me. At times, it felt like Donald Trump’s actions were completely overpowering the foundation of democracy this country is based on. It felt very hopeful for me to hear and read this specific stanza, inspiring me to believe that no matter how horrible and unfair the last four years were, democracy was only “delayed” not “defeated” or collapsed. Specifically with the capital attacks this month, which I know inspired this poem, it is very important to hear that this country will move on and continue to grow despite the things we have seen.
“Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious”
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious”
Derek Troung, Junior
It really did symbolize this past year that we’ve had. It’s been difficult for everyone, and I believe everyone can connect to this line because of that. Teachers and students are having trouble teaching and learning; the elderly, the most predisposed to the disease, are now lonely because they cannot receive visits; and medical staff are bombarded with patients. However, there have been signs of change; movements, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, have emerged during this past year, and in order to do things that bring about good like this, we need to be united.
It really did symbolize this past year that we’ve had. It’s been difficult for everyone, and I believe everyone can connect to this line because of that. Teachers and students are having trouble teaching and learning; the elderly, the most predisposed to the disease, are now lonely because they cannot receive visits; and medical staff are bombarded with patients. However, there have been signs of change; movements, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, have emerged during this past year, and in order to do things that bring about good like this, we need to be united.