Happy Poetry Friday!
I’m moving forward slowly with hope, for our country, America, and our world. I was smitten with our Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem, THE HILL WE CLIMB. My post today includes a golden shovel poem taken from a line of Amanda’s poem, and the rest focuses on this fabulous wordsmith poet.
BEGIN TO MEND AMERICA…
America though your voice grew grim, and
democracy defamed, your flame burned within. So
different minds joined together and put we
first––For we American’s together must work to lift
away from false truths, to regain our
trampled on Democracy, to refocus our gazes
on compassion, love and care for each other, not
on a single focus but on an inclusive we, to
embrace again, justice for every race, religion, and gender. What
follows, to mend with dove’s-wings our injured America, as she stands
bruised, but ready to reach all and bring about change between
different minds of America with inclusiveness for all of us
© 2021 Michelle Kogan
My golden shovel poem borrows a line from our Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman’s Inaugural poem, THE HILL WE CLIMB:
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us
You can read Amanda Gorman’s poem here. And here’s an article from The New York Times, about Amanda Gorman writing her inaugural poem:
Amanda Gorman Captures the Moment, in Verse
Amanda Gorman reading her poem FURY AND FAITH, and a TEDEd talk.
Laura Shovan at her blog Laura Shovan is hosting this weeks Poetry Friday Roundup, thanks Laura! She’s sharing more on our renowned Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and in addition announcing her 9th annual February Poetry Project. Be sure to drop by her blog.
As a sidenote I have a couple of new Valentine’s Day Cards available in my Etsy Shop, waiting to spread some sweetness wherever they may be sent…
Visit Renée LaTulippe at No Water River to find out more about what Poetry Friday is.
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
I agree with you Michelle, huge fan of Amanda Gorman and her poem. Lovely inspiring Golden Shovel.
Yes, she was terrific, thanks!
A lovely poetic tribute to Amanda’s poem. I am so relieved for your country that change is here.
Thanks Sally, so am I! 🙂
What a wonderful conversation with Ms. Gorman….taking her words as seeds for a new poem that reinforces similar ideas. I so enjoy seeing the ripples of poetry. The ripples here are beautiful! “love and care for each other.” Yes. Your valentine is precious! I love the tiny letters in the painting. Beautiful!
My student Chloe noticed the repetition of the word we throughout Amanda’s poem. Your golden shovel grabs hold of that we and gives it wings. The collective and inclusive we. Thanks for sharing your poem and the videos of Amanda. I have not tired of her yet. She’s such a refreshing and inspiring voice for our nation, for the we of educators.
Amanda Gorman was like the biggest exclamation point President Biden’s inauguration could have, and many here on PF are writing from her words, so, so wonderful that WE are doing that. I think I heard a collective sigh on Wednesday, like your wonderful poem, Michelle, “put we
first”. Love the art as always!
Yes, I think many of us, we are sighing! And also hoping we move forward peacefully, thanks Linda.
We all seem to be ‘digging’ Amanda Gorman and her words today, Michelle! Great minds inspired by a brilliant young woman. I love your line: “to mend with dove’s-wings our injured America” – YES! 🙂
I love: ” refocus our gazes
on compassion, love and care for each other, not
on a single focus but on an inclusive we”
There is no more important mission for us in America. Lovely golden shovel, Michelle!
Wonderful golden shovel, Michelle (and I love your gorgeous painting)! Amanda Gorman certainly wowed everyone. Exciting to see that much enthusiasm for a young poet. It will be so good to have an administration that embraces the arts once again. 🙂
I am enjoying all the celebration of Amanda Gorman today! Your golden shovel poem takes her words and adds layers to them.
“America though your voice grew grim” — strong opening line for a strong poem, Michelle. Together, the Poetry Friday community has collected some wonderful links and resources about Amanda Gorman today. Thanks for joining the link-up!
As I make my way through posts today, I don’t think I’ve come upon one yet that hasn’t mentioned Amanda Gorman. It seems we’re all smitten… and for good reason! What a powerhouse she is. What a powerhouse your golden shovel is, too! Thanks so much for including the other videos in your post as well. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better explanation of how poetry is, by nature, political. I will be bookmarking that Ted talk for sure. Also love those new cards, Michelle!
Amanda’s poem offered many avenues for writing. Your golden shovel offers us new thoughts on unity and change. What
follows, to mend with dove’s-wings our injured America, as she stands
bruised, but ready to reach all and bring about change between
different minds of America with inclusiveness for all of us
Your artwork supports the beauty of your post. Thank you for the links, Michelle.
I just came from reading Linda Mitchell’s powerful golden shovel to reading yours. Wow! I’m now inspired to revisit that form. I love that your strike line comes from Amanda Gorman’s work. I especially like the emphasis on “we” and unity and healing that resonates throughout your poem. Thanks for including the links as well.
Fabulous golden shovel, Michelle! “…ready to reach all and bring about change,” indeed. Miss Gorman has left us with so many wonderful lines to choose from. I’m entering all of them into my notebook ready to inspire.
Wasn’t she amazing? I like what you’ve done with her line. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
I love your focus on WE and US. Yes.