Amanda Gorman Quotes on Hope & Inspiration

Amanda Gorman is an American poet and activist from Los Angeles, California.

In 2021, Gorman became the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States and was chosen to read a poem at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration. Gorman wrote and delivered ‘The Hill We Climb’ which spoke of hope, unity, togetherness and collaboration.

Gorman’s poetry and quotes express a sense of strength, courage, and empathy in the face of struggle. She is an inspirational role model for young people around the world and continues to use her platform to promote social justice. Here we have included just some of her inspiring words, and we are excited to hear more from her in the future.

Amanda Gorman Quotes

“There is always light.

Only if we are brave enough to see it.

There is always light.

Only if we are brave enough to be it.”

Amanda Gorman

“You don’t have to be a poet; you don’t have to be a politician or be in the White House to make an impact with your words. We all have this capacity to find solutions for the future.” Amanda Gorman

“One of the preparations that I do always whenever I perform is I say a mantra to myself, which is ‘I’m the daughter of black writers. We’re descended from freedom fighters who broke through chains and changed the world. They call me.’ And that is the way in which I prepare myself for the duty that needs to get done.” Amanda Gorman

“But as for the future, I foresee a world which is more creative, more open, more loving, more ecologically friendly, more honest about its history and progress, and I think a lot of those contributions will be made by young people.” Amanda Gorman

“My Instagram doesn’t cover my insecurities, my lack of self-confidence, that week I spent crying… there’s a question of whether I should be sharing that online.” Amanda Gorman

“It’s said that ignorance is bliss.

Ignorance is this: a vine that

sneaks up a tree, killing not by

poison, but by blocking out its

light.” Amanda Gorman

“We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace and the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice.” Amanda Gorman

“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.” Amanda Gorman

“There is power in being robbed and still choosing to dance.” Amanda Gorman

“Poetry is – it’s an art form, but, to me, it’s also a weapon, it’s also an instrument. It’s the ability to make ideas that have been known, felt and said. And that’s a real, I think, type of duty for the poet.” Amanda Gorman

“Anxiety is a living body, Poised beside us like a shadow. It is the last creature standing, The only beast who loves us Enough to stay.” Amanda Gorman

“Poetry is the lens we use to interrogate the history we stand on and the future we stand for.” Amanda Gorman

“Only when we’re drowning do we understand how fierce our feet can kick.” Amanda Gorman

“Since the world is round

There is no way to walk away

From each other, for even then

We are coming back together.” Amanda Gorman

“There is no better compass than compassion.” Amanda Gorman

“By Goodbye, we truly mean: Let us be able to say hello again.” Amanda Gorman

“When you’re someone who’s lived a life where certain resources were scarce, you always feel like abundance is forbidden fruit.” Amanda Gorman

“Words matter, for

Language is an ark.

Yes,

Language is an art,

An articulate artifact.

Language is a life craft.

Yes,

Language is a life raft.” Amanda Gorman

“I have to interweave my poetry with purpose. For me, that purpose is to help people, and to shed a light on issues that have far too long been in the darkness.” Amanda Gorman

“The first bud of spring sings the other seeds into joining her uprising.” Amanda Gorman

“Poetry has never been the language of barriers; it’s always been the language of bridges.” Amanda Gorman

“Most of my life I was particularly terrified of speaking up, because I had a speech impediment, which made it difficult to pronounce certain letters, sounds, and I felt like I was fine writing on the page, but once I got on stage, I was worried my words might jumble and stumble.” Amanda Gorman

“That’s kind of the challenging thing about writing an inaugural poem. You’re speaking to everyone, but you don’t also want to speak for everyone.” Amanda Gorman

“This is a long, long, faraway goal, but 2036 I am running for office to be president of the United States. So you can put that in your iCloud calendar.” Amanda Gorman

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