Kunitz: Passing Through

Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander, written and delivered for Barack Obama's first inauguration.

Of History and Hope by Miller Williams, written and delivered for Bill Clinton's second inauguration.

On the Pulse of Morning by Maya Angelo, written and delivered for Bill Clinton's first inauguration in 1993.

The Gift Outright by Robert Frost.  Kennedy gave Frost the option of reciting this poem or a new poem at the inauguration, and when Frost couldn't read his original poem, he recited this one from memory. My reading is of the 1942 original; for the inauguration, Frost changed the last line from "Such as she would become" to "Such as she will become." That change was made at Kennedy's request,  apparently to give the poem a greater sense of optimism.

Dedication by Robert Frost. This poem was written specifically for John F. Kennedy's inauguration, but Frost was unable to deliver it as the sun (and reflected light off of snow) made it impossible for the 86 year old poet to read his copy. 

Joe Biden will be only the fourth President of the US to have a poem delivered as part of his inauguration. JFK started the practice with his inaugural in 1961, for which Robert Frost wrote a poem specific to the occasion. He then wound up delivering a different poem from memory, as solar glare made it impossible for him to read the new poem.  Poetry then took a bit of a hiatus until Bill Clinton, who included poetry at both of his inaugurations. Barack Obama did the same at both of his inaugurals as well. At age 22, US Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman will become the youngest poet to deliver a poem at a US Presidential inauguration.  Good luck Amanda, and good listening to all!

Vespers by Louise Glück, US Poet Laureate from 2003-2004.

Cheerios by Bill Collins, US Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003.

Passing Through by Stanley Kunitz, US Poet Laureate from 2000 to 2001.

Glass by Robert Pinsky, US Poet Laureate from 1997 to 2000.