One sun rose on us today, kindled over our shores,...
and the rest is online plenty of places - but this has text and video http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/today-richard-blanco-poem-read-barack-obama-inauguration/story?id=18274653
Now why did I choose this poem? well - it goes like this, I'm absolutely fascinated with how you can kindle the sun over shores - and wondered if certain reading devices could be to blame - NO - of course that isn't it at all.
It's the fact that he is there. A poet, quietly strutting his stuff in amongst the razamataz and media hype of the swearing in of the President of the United States. Love it or hate it, there is a majesty in attempting to cram one day to the brim with life and wrestle the rhytmn of a country into a piece that must not only be uplifting but unifying. Yes, I believe the poem failed. There's too much, all juxtaposed, so that the structure seems to meander about like a lost puppy with a weak bladder. But damn, it failed majestically, and maybe, just maybe it did the job the poet wanted of it - there is a sweetness there, and political acumen that must only be reserved for puppies.
A.J.A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.
