The Hill We Climb
By Amanda Gorman
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.
We’ve braved the belly of the beast,
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace,
and the norms and notions
of what just is
isn’t always justice.
And yet the dawn is ours
before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.
Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed
a nation that isn’t broken,
but simply unfinished.
We the successors of a country and a time
where a skinny Black girl
descended from slaves and raised by a single mother
can dream of becoming president
only to find herself reciting for one.
And yes we are far from polished.
Far from pristine.
But that doesn’t mean we are
striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge a union with purpose,
to compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and
conditions of man.
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us,
but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first,
we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms
so we can reach out our arms
to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true,
that even as we grieved, we grew,
that even as we hurt, we hoped,
that even as we tired, we tried,
that we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.
Not because we will never again know defeat,
but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision
that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
and no one shall make them afraid.
If we’re to live up to our own time,
then victory won’t lie in the blade.
But in all the bridges we’ve made,
that is the promise to glade,
the hill we climb.
If only we dare.
It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit,
it’s the past we step into
and how we repair it.
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 nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed,
it can never be permanently defeated.
In this truth,
in this faith we trust.
For while we have our eyes on the future,
history has its eyes on us.
This is the era of just redemption
we feared at its inception.
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs
of such a terrifying hour
but within it we found the power
to author a new chapter.
To offer hope and laughter to ourselves.
So while once we asked,
how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?
Now we assert,
How could catastrophe possibly prevail over 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.
We will not be turned around
or interrupted by intimidation,
because we know our inaction and inertia
will be the inheritance of the next generation.
Our blunders become their burdens.
But one thing is certain,
If we merge mercy with might,
and might with right,
then love becomes our legacy,
and change our children’s birthright.
So let us leave behind a country
better than the one we were left with.
Every breath from my bronze‑pounded chest,
we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.
We will rise from the gold‑limbed hills of the west.
We will rise from the windswept northeast,
where our forefathers first realized revolution.
We will rise from the lake‑rimmed cities of the midwestern states.
We will rise from the sunbaked south.
We will rebuild, reconcile and recover.
And every known nook of our nation and
every corner called our country,
our people diverse and beautiful will emerge,
battered and beautiful.
When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid,
the new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
Summary of “The Hill We Climb”
Amanda Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb” is a powerful and hopeful poem delivered at the 2021 presidential inauguration. It quickly became a cultural touchstone, resonating with audiences worldwide for its themes of unity, healing, and progress. The poem reflects on the challenges faced by the United States, particularly in the wake of division and strife, while simultaneously offering a vision of a brighter future.
Gorman, as a young Black woman, powerfully addresses the historical context of struggle and oppression within the American narrative. She acknowledges the “unfinished” state of the nation and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and repairing past injustices. The poem is not merely a celebration of progress, but a call to action—a demand to move forward with intention, empathy, and a commitment to building a more just and equitable society.
The central metaphor of the “hill we climb” represents the ongoing struggle for progress and the continuous effort required to overcome obstacles. It is a journey that demands courage, resilience, and a willingness to work together, despite differences. The poem’s enduring message is one of hope and possibility—the belief that even in the darkest of times, light and progress are attainable if we dare to climb towards them.
Analysis of Literary and Poetic Devices
Amanda Gorman masterfully employs a range of literary and poetic devices to create a poem rich in meaning, musicality, and emotional impact. Understanding these techniques allows for a deeper appreciation of the poem’s artistry and message.
Literary Devices
- Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. Gorman uses anaphora effectively for emphasis and rhythm, most notably in lines such as “that even as we grieved, we grew; that even as we hurt, we hoped.” This repetition builds momentum and reinforces the idea of resilience.
- Metaphor: Gorman utilizes metaphor to create vivid imagery and convey abstract concepts. The “hill we climb” itself is an extended metaphor for the ongoing journey toward progress. Other examples include references to “the belly of the beast” representing adversity and “the shade” symbolizing hardship.
- Symbolism: The poem is rich in symbolic imagery. “Light” represents hope, knowledge, and truth, while “the shade” symbolizes ignorance and oppression. The “vine and fig tree” allude to a biblical vision of peace and security.
- Allusion: Gorman cleverly weaves in allusions to historical and literary sources, enriching the poem’s meaning. The reference to Scripture and the vine and fig tree draws upon a shared cultural and religious understanding.
Poetic Devices
- Imagery: Gorman’s use of vivid and evocative language creates powerful imagery that appeals to the reader’s senses. Lines such as “Every breath from my bronze‑pounded chest” and “the gold‑limbed hills of the west” paint a clear and memorable picture.
- Assonance and Consonance: These devices, involving the repetition of vowel and consonant sounds, contribute to the poem’s musicality and rhythm. Notice the repetition of the “o” sound in “forged a union” and the “s” sound in “striving to form.”
- Repetition: Beyond anaphora, Gorman utilizes repetition throughout the poem to emphasize key ideas and create a sense of urgency and momentum.
- Free Verse: While the poem exhibits a strong sense of rhythm and musicality, it largely adheres to the structure of free verse, meaning it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows Gorman to prioritize the natural flow of language and the emotional impact of her words.
Key Quotes and Their Significance
Several lines from “The Hill We Climb” are particularly impactful and resonant. These quotes can serve as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the poem’s central themes.
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
This powerful closing emphasizes the importance of hope, courage, and individual agency. It suggests that the potential for positive change exists within each of us, but requires a willingness to act.
“We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be.”
This line embodies the poem’s forward‑looking vision. It rejects complacency and calls for a commitment to progress and a rejection of past injustices.
“The hill we climb is not just a geographical ascent, but a moral one.”
While not directly present in the poem, this line illustrates a critical understanding of the metaphor. It emphasizes that the hill represents the moral challenges we face as individuals and as a society.
“The Hill We Climb” is more than just a poem; it’s a call to action, a testament to the power of hope, and a celebration of the human spirit. By understanding the literary and poetic devices Amanda Gorman employs, readers can unlock even deeper layers of meaning and appreciate the artistry of this landmark work.