When Angelou read this poem at President Clinton’s first inauguration, she became the second poet to read a poem at a presidential inauguration and the first woman and African American to do so. At this point in her career, she had achieved great success as a spokeswoman, a writer, and an activist.
This poem depicts a country on the brink of change and insists “You … have crouched too long in / The bruising darkness / Have lain too long / Facedown in ignorance, / Your mouths spilling words / Armed for slaughter.” Angelou calls for peace, harmony, and social justice for all of the marginalized in this poem and during the rest of her remarkable career.
Poem
Related Links
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| About the Poet | Study Guide | Lesson: Analysis "Pulse Of Morning" |
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| Analysis | Literary Devices Used [Scroll] | About the Poet |
Videos
A visual representation of "On the Pulse of Morning"
A visual representation of Maya Angelou's grammy award winning poem "On the Pulse of Morning". "On the Pulse of Morning" is a poem that Maya Angelou read at the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton on January 20, 1993. With her public recitation, Angelou became the second poet in history to read a poem at a presidential inauguration, and the first African American and woman. (Robert Frost was the first inaugural poet, at the 1961 inauguration of John F. Kennedy.) Angelou's audio recording of the poem won the 1994 Grammy Award in the "Best Spoken Word" category, resulting in more fame and recognition for her previous works, and broadening her appeal.
SOURCE: npatou (2017), posted on YouTube, Duration: 5:28 mins, URL: https://youtu.be/t7RhbQOlkpA
Maya Angelou reading "On the Pulse of Morning" at Clinton Inauguration, 1993
This is video footage of Maya Angelou reciting her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at the 1993 Presidential Inaugural. This footage is official public record produced by the White House Television (WHTV) crew, provided by the Clinton Presidential Library.
SOURCE: clintonlibrary42 (2012), posted on YouTube, Duration: 6:26 mins, URL: https://youtu.be/59xGmHzxtZ4