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 … - Amanda Gorman

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

Erasure demands a lifetime of rehearsal. Do you really understand what it is to be this disposable body. We recognize the sobs now for the flags they were. The jerk of our heads, as if waking from a dream — or a nightmare. You decide. This is not the nation we built, at most not the nation we've known. Know. Oh, no. This is the nation we've sewn. It is our right to weep for the wound we've always been. A silent shock out of the blue: a hand hung to another or a head pillowed by a shoulder is by far worth more than anything we've won or wanted. When told we can't make a difference, we'll still make a sound.

We were told to never use I when writing, because eliminating this voice makes arguments legitimate. But we realize there is nothing that convinces like the self does - our life, our body & its beating, proving its own jagged point.

When this ends, we’ll smile sweetly, finally seeing In testing times, we became the best of beings.