On January 6, 2020, during President Joe Biden’s inauguration, Amanda Gorman stood on the podium and delivered her now-famous poem, The Hill We Climb.
At the time, her words felt powerful and full of promise—a rallying cry for unity and hope. But as I recently rewatched her performance, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of disappointment. The hope she spoke of hasn’t just faded; it feels betrayed. What she presented as poetic justice for America has become anything but under the Biden – Harris Administration. In fact, her words have underscored the need for true poetic justice—for Donald Trump and the nation he continues to serve.
I admire Amanda’s talent and ability to string together words that could inspire a fractured nation. Her line, “We are striving to forge our union with purpose,” should have been a foundation for something better. Instead, Biden’s administration has crushed that purpose, not accidentally, but with deliberate and calculated steps. What many of us hold sacred in this country has been dismantled piece by piece, as though it was never worth preserving.
And then there’s the context of her poem. It wasn’t just about America but aimed directly at Donald J. Trump. Her words, poetic and sharp, were an indictment—a public accusation of his role in the events of January 6, with lines like these:
| “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.” |
And,
| “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.” |
And,
| “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, become the future. Our blunders become their burdens.” |
Her words were delivered before the truth could even be known. After years of relentless attempts to find Donald Trump guilty, the charges were quietly dropped just this week. This is where true poetic justice begins—not in premature accusations cloaked in verse, but in the revelation of truth over time.
For this reason, an artist must tread carefully with their gift. And this isn’t just true for artists—it’s true for anyone—but especially those whose voices carry weight and influence.
Allow me to digress briefly to point out how Vice President Kamala Harris spent millions of dollars to pay for an artist’s support, effectively ensuring it was no longer freely given. While artists deserve compensation for their work, when payment comes at the expense of conscience, it crosses a dangerous line. To betray truth for gain is to sell one’s soul.
And here lies the lesson: it didn’t work. The failure of such calculated moves speaks volumes. It serves as proof that art, no matter how skilled or beautiful, must be anchored in something higher than talent alone. It must be grounded in TRUTH. Artists, in particular, bear the responsibility of ensuring their words—especially those addressing societal or political issues—are rooted in this principle. To express thoughts freely is a gift, but to wield that freedom carelessly is to neglect the weight of their influence.
I understand the temptation that comes with creating in this space—the pull of external influences and the desire to align with prevailing narratives. But at the end of the day, the poet must own their words. They are the beginning and the end of their creation, and their name will always be tied to those words, for better or worse.
Reading The Hill We Climb, it becomes clear that the poem was not focused on America’s future, hope, or unity. Instead, its target was unmistakable: Donald J. Trump. Line after line, the poem serves as a thinly veiled accusation, painting him as the story’s villain. This missed opportunity for true poetic justice—justice that transcends politics and brings unity—set a tone of division on a day meant for healing.
It wasn’t just unexpected—it was prophetic in a troubling way. On a day meant to mark President Biden’s inauguration, the focal point became a poem about Trump. Not Biden, not America, but Trump. What no one could have foreseen was how this moment foreshadowed the unprecedented storm that would follow: a relentless barrage of attacks against Trump through the judicial system, two assassination attempts he would survive, and a long list of accusations—all of which have ultimately fallen apart.
Sadly, the young poet became one of the first voices to join the chorus of defamation. Once tied to hope and inspiration, her name now carries the weight of being part of a campaign that history has proven wrong.
The past four years have unfolded in ways few could have predicted. This begs the question: What would a poem truly relevant to this moment in America sound like? It does not accuse an individual but uplifts a nation, reminding us of who we are—a city on a hill. A poem that respects the office of the presidency and delivers wisdom befitting the sacred platform of an inauguration. One that doesn’t show contempt, particularly from a voice so young, who should have been guided and protected by those around her.
Such a poem would reflect the truth of how God has preserved America and Donald J. Trump, offering the kind of poetic justice that speaks to both the trials and the triumphs of the past years. That poem exists, and it debuts on December 4th as a reminder that justice, when rooted in truth, has the power to heal a nation.
That poem exists. It will debut on December 4th across Spotify and other major platforms, written not just by an American poet but by America’s Poet. William Owens began crafting poems about America when Donald J. Trump first ran for office. In September 2016, he penned America in Trouble and went on to write forty-nine additional poems, one every day until the election concluded. These works became his second poetry collection, Poems for America.
The irony is striking: On November 8, 2016, Owens wrote The Finish Line, inspired by Trump’s historic victory. Years later, his words continue to resonate as a testament to perseverance and faith.
What does this all mean? At its core, it means that Truth will always triumph. It means that God has a way of answering the courts of public opinion with a just outcome for all to see. And perhaps God answers one poet through another. Maybe, just maybe, a door will open for William Owens, an American poet, to stand on an inauguration podium and deliver America the Beautiful, America the Bold with stanzas that inspire and uplift.
For one purpose
For the truth to be told
For the truth to be hurled
For the truth to shine bright upon that city on a hill
She would not be silenced
She must march toward her prophetic destiny
Never fearful or still
And again
Yet, in the glorious providence of God
America was birthed
She came forth
With lungs full of life
Crying, let freedom ring
Let freedom ring
It remains her theme
Until then, you can experience his powerful new work on your favorite music platform and be lifted by its timeless message.