# Amanda Gorman poem at the inauguration **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 21, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104 "2021-01-21T15:35:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104/61 "2021-01-26T08:48:37Z")
Even better than a paid mainstream cultural critic who must professionally adhere to the popular mindset and blow with the winds of medium brain opinion, reddit has unsullied truth to offer. Disinterested in popular thought, ripe with truth and appreciation of beauty. Your regular big newspaper writer has no interest in getting to the crux of the matter as that would cause alarm to readers and get them sacked. Cruxes are an anathema to journalists who see them in their nightmares and the corner of their eyes, knowing they exist but fearful of mentioning them lest the results. Reddit boldly speaks: [CynicalProfessor16](https://www.reddit.com/user/CynicalProfessor16) I actually like some of her poetry and I admire her. But I have to admit I thought this was not a very good poem. It was filled with cliches, weird alliterations, prosaic observations, disconnected metaphors, etc. Maybe part of her life task was not just to write a poem but to say things that strike the heart of many, many of whom might not have much grasp of poetry. In that case, she clearly succeeded. But I think most teachers of poetry would give this a B+ or A- at the undergraduate level and a C at the grad level. But I can’t find anyone who seems to agree without coming from a more “conservative” political agenda. I love her message. I just thought it was a terribly mediocre poetry at best. I dunno. I do think there’s something nice and beautiful about it upon reading, so maybe that’s enough I mean that if I randomly read this poem in a book one day, not knowing who recited it and when, I’d think it was pretty mediocre, certainly not worthy of all the ooohs and aaahs and “say her names.” I’m very happy that Gorman is getting recognition and seeing success and that the public has been moved by a poem, whatever the reasons. But i just don’t think the poem itself is all that. It’s faddish and light and i don’t expect it to stand the test of history. Again, only my opinion and judging by the downvotes obviously unpopular. > **[r/Poetry - \[POEM\] The Hill We Climb - Amanda Gorman](https://www.reddit.com/r/Poetry/comments/l1ehho/poem_the_hill_we_climb_amanda_gorman/)** > > 2,009 votes and 164 comments so far on Reddit ps That Was From Reddit ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104/62 "2021-01-26T08:57:29Z")
> Same. I expected so much more. It was full of dead metaphors, and lacked imagery. I wanted to be taken away, moved, destroyed, even, but I was left cold. She is a beautiful, passionate young woman, though, and inspirational, so there was that. So, I was moved by her as a person, but she is no Langston Hughes . There was just no vivid language. I get the feeling that most people just don’t read a lot of really good poetry. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104/63 "2021-01-26T20:20:12Z")
Wonderful! And she’s walking through the L.A. Public Library downtown. Great library. I used to caravan with friends in high school to do research there. And a plug for Susan Orleans’ “The Library Book” for specific history of this building. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104/64 "2021-01-27T22:31:37Z")
The young poet will read read/recite another of her poems before a national audience in a few weeks. Another poem written just for the occasion at which the poem will be presented. I like how she isn’t digging into a bag of works, but writing these with intention for the occasion > **[Biden inauguration poet Amanda Gorman will read new work before Super Bowl](https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/1/27/22252718/super-bowl-biden-inauguration-poet-amanda-gorman-will-read-new-work)** > > Gorman’s poem will be about the impact of three people who have served during the coronavirus pandemic. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104/65 "2021-01-28T00:42:02Z")
Get ready for the stream of jealous poets and posers who will start to accuse her of selling out. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2021, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104/66 "2021-01-29T05:23:58Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > …And a plug for Susan Orleans’ “The Library Book” for specific history of this building. Enthusiastically seconded. A _great_ book for anyone who loves books and/or libraries. > [@bobot](#): > > …I like how she isn’t digging into a bag of works, but writing these with intention for the occasion > [Amanda Gorman will read new poem before Super Bowl - Chicago Sun-Times](https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/1/27/22252718/super-bowl-biden-inauguration-poet-amanda-gorman-will-read-new-work) Sure. That is, after all, the customary role of a poet laureate (youth or otherwise). ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2021, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104/67 "2021-02-02T14:18:41Z")
> **[Amanda Gorman's success stirred a bleak undercurrent | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/01/opinions/amanda-gorman-summons-phillis-wheatley-sinha/index.html)** > > The phenomenal response to Amanda Gorman's performance at the inauguration and her wide acclaim came with a bleak undercurrent, says historian Manisha Sinha -- one that echoed for her of the story of 18th century poet Phillis Wheatley, described by... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-gorman-poem-at-the-inauguration/931104.md?page=3)