Poetry Challenge #286-There is Always Light

Amanda Gorman was the first person to be named “National Youth Poet Laureate”

in 2017. In 2021 at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, she delivered her poem, “The Hill We Climb” as the youngest inaugural poet. She was 22 (March 7th is her birthday!)

Her words touched the nation and the world. People read and reread her work.

You can watch her at the inauguration here:

Amanda Gorman performing “The Hill We Climb.”

Poetry Challenge #285

There is Always Light

One of Amanda Gorman’s most quoted lines is:

“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

Think about the light you would like to see in our world. How can you be “brave enough to be it”?

Write a poem detailing what needs to happen. Make it a call to action. Use strong words and phrases.

Be sure to read it aloud with feeling!

Set Your Timer for 7 Minutes

Start Writing!

Don’t Think About it, write the light!

Amanda Gorman’s inauguration poem The Hill We Climb has been published as a book. So has Change Sings (above) which is lovely. And that’s not all. Find out more on her website: Amanda Gorman Books.

Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2400+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.

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All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .

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