Truly Barack Obama’s inauguration is history in the making. I’m not sure how anyone listening to Obama take his oath and give his speech could not be filled with hope for the future, pride in our country, and confidence in the ability of people’s hearts to change.
I don’t agree with all of President Obama’s plans and policies, but I do wish him much success. The task that lies before him is daunting and my prayers are with him.
I could almost feel the excitement and energy of the crowds standing, freezing, and hoping to catch a glimpse of their new president. Watching the president and first lady walk down the streets of Washington made me wish I were there standing in the crowds, my camera waiting to click a shot of their smiling faces, their waving hands, or even their backs in passing.
It was an unbelievable day filled with elegance, grace, and much confidence. We are privileged to live in a GREAT country.
BUT, what about the poem?
I’m sorry, but I was not impressed. To be fair, I think it had much to do with the presentation. “Is that the best she could do?” I blurted aloud to the TV, the dog, and the dust mites. No-one answered…thankfully. I would have questioned my sanity if I got a response.
I did Google the poem so I could read it slowly, giving our American poet, Elizabeth Alexander, the benefit of the doubt. I came to appreciate the spirit of the poem in print; however, I’m still don’t like it. I know it’s just my opinion. Maybe the rest of our nation loved the poem and maybe nobody cared about the poem except for me…that’s probably more like it.
What are your thoughts about this historic day or the poem? Really, I’d like to know.
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I’ve found it SO VERY interesting to read all of your opinions and thoughts on the day and on Obama.
It’s funny, but I think my post came across with a different meaning then intended. That’s ok…
My real awe is over our country and its’ greatness, over the ceremony and all its’ pomp, and over the masses gathering peacefully. You don’t see that much around our world.
I believe it’s time to pray for our president, give him the respect due his office and also his person. I believe he has a lovely family and much obvious success in his career.
I do disagree with so many of his policies and beliefs, but I remind myself that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord.
I look forward to seeing how our country will grow through trial and through blessing over these next four years.
-FringeGirl
What struck me most about this whole shebang was the lack of bathrooms. Whenever I see a crowd of that size, waiting for 11 or so hours, all I can think of is, what do you do? Your frozen and you’ve gotta go. Depends?? Wouldn’t that freeze up too? So I kind of missed the whole thing. I didn’t want to be worried about all the people having to “go”.
I don’t know if I have the entire poem in the paper (I didn’t see it read live on TV), but it struck me as short. They’re turning it into a 32 page book.
Hello there,
Thanks for visiting me. I’ve just been catching up on some of your posts.
To be honest, I cringed during the poem reading. I know it was meant to be inspirational/profound/relevant, but it just wasn’t the best example of modern American poetry.
xx
You’re so right. This is a great country. The election of Obama is just one facet of what makes it great. I only heard a bit of the poem and like you, not so impressed.
Wasn’t impressed with Lowrey…they could have done better.
I’ve found it SO VERY interesting to read all of your opinions and thoughts on the day and on Obama.
It’s funny, but I think my post came across with a different meaning then intended. That’s ok…
My real awe is over our country and its’ greatness, over the ceremony and all its’ pomp, and over the masses gathering peacefully. You don’t see that much around our world.
I believe it’s time to pray for our president, give him the respect due his office and also his person. I believe he has a lovely family and much obvious success in his career.
I do disagree with so many of his policies and beliefs, but I remind myself that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord.
I look forward to seeing how our country will grow through trial and through blessing over these next four years.
-FringeGirl
I am also praying for his success as his success means success for us as Americans. I rarely agree with any political policies because I’m always looking for the hidden agenda. Call me jaded. I do think the president, any president, deserves respect for being willing to take on the hardest job in the world outside of being a mother. They’re the only 2 jobs that will turn a person white headed overnight. As far as the poem goes, I like my poetry to rhyme. It sounded more like a book reading to me. But I think a tone or perhaps a point was trying to be set there and I think that was achieved. He is a thinking man and appears to truly love words. Overall, I think I’d give the day an A-. Debbie
Well said, Erin!
The Texas Woman
I thought it was a beautiful ceremony. The music, the pomp, it made me proud to be an American. I did not hear the booing for the Bushes- that makes me sad.
I actually liked the poem. I thought she did not read it well at all, tho.
I’m in Canada and I didn’t watch one thing about the Obama inaugeration yesterday. I am a supporter in spirit (whatever that means a country away) but to me it was the election day that held the weight of the decision. I’d like to now give the man a chance to do something before I form an opinion. The media seems to have a great deal of the population whooped up to almost speaking in tongues.
Wait… shhhhh… did you just hear that??!?!?!? I think its Dr. King shouting from Heaven, “Obama, Obama!”
What the heck? Today was filled with a lot of “Huh??” “What does that even mean?” and oh yeah I forgot the ever present phrase that radiated out of my mouth, “God, please be with our country!”
I am trying not to be bitter and trying to get on board the Obama train, but I think I’m in the caboose and just barely hanging on. God Bless the U.S.A, please!
I shouldn’t admit this but I missed the whole thing. Didn’t see the first speech, nothing. But you are right – it is historic!!
I pray that God will bless Obama’s presidency.
I would never want to be in a crowd like that! yikes!
I, too, am praying for the leaders of our country.
The delivery of the poem was awful, just awful, but
it must be hard to speak in front of that many people and knowing millions of people worldwide are watching you on tv. yikes! Poem in itself could’ve been SO much better… like Fringegirl style!
I’ll just simply say Obama can talk the talk, but he has a lot to prove. Like you, I’m hopeful and prayerful.
And I thought much the same. I turned the t.v. off before the poem was finished. Isn’t that horrible? I’m terrible. But I guess I could just chalk it up to not being a poetry fan in general…
This day was historically monumental to be sure…I did not get the classical music composition, loved the Invocation…I have many thoughts on the speech…don’t remember the poem (yikes)
Was totally in awe at the mass of humanity.
It seems to me that everyone should wish him success. Who doesn’t want a president who does great things for this country? I just wish all the haters would understand this.
What President have we ever agreed with completely? This man, his family deserve a fair chance, our prayers, and our support. We cannot be so ready to blame, point our fingers. We need to pull together, be one country.
The poem didn’t thrill me, but her delivery put me off. It wasn’t that important to me. His speech, the way the people were so happy, the response, 2 million people standing in the cold to be a part of it… that’s what was important to me. May God hold him dear….
The bushes are good Americans, treated poorly. Lets hope our country and the press treat the new president far better than they treated the old one. The Bushes are so used to being ill-treated, they probably didn’t even hear the embarrassing boos. But I heard them and I cringed for America.
I say good luck to anyone who takes on that job. Obama, like those before him, will need all the luck he can get!
The Texas Woman
I missed the whole thing! Wah! But I heard Elizabeth Alexander read a poem on NPR, and I thought it was a real stinkaroo. I also heard Lowery interviewed on NPR, and I thought he rocked!
I, like you, felt the excitement and felt very hopeful for our nation. It seemed that a lot of healing took place for many people on this day. I was amazed that the vast amount of people behaved, EXCEPT when they started booing Mr and Mrs Bush. That made me sad for them. I, also like you, don’t agree with all his policies and plans, but definitley will be praying for he and his family throughout his presidency. Our nation is at a crucial period in time and we desperately need to lift our president, his family, and the entire government up in prayer daily.
Day = Very very cool
Poem = meh
Lowery’s benediction = he rocks.
Plus with the rhymes he put in at the end, Lowery’s prayer qualified as a poem too!