Call Us What We Carry

by Amanda Gorman

We are enough, Armed only With our hands,

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.

Somehow, we’ve weathered and witnessed A nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished.

We are striving to forge our union with purpose,

In this truth, in this faith, we trust. For while we have our eyes on the future, History has its eyes on us.

We will not march back to what was, But move to what shall be: A country that is bruised but whole, Benevolent but bold, Fierce and free.

So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left.

For there is always light, If only we’re brave enough to see it, If only we’re brave enough to be it.