Erasure Poem of Amanda Gorman's The Hill We Climb

What I would've read after an attempted coup if I had to use Gorman's words

I’m still on the hunt for the source of this protest sign but I still wanted to include it.

In the States it is almost time for Election Day & these days I’m doing the best I can to support my nervous system. So I’m tending to myself in the best ways I know how & today I am offering you a poem. I distinctly remember watching the attempted coup with my family in my living room on January 6th, 2021 (I’ve written more in-depth about that experience here).

This poem deals with the bizarre but not surprising, aftermath of the attempted coup shortly before the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr. I am a very different poet from Amanda Gorman (as are all writers & people from each other). I would not have chosen to recite a poem like The Hill We Climb. I remember watching the inauguration & being tired of prioritizing wholeness rather than what can emerge from shattered illusionary principles. I was tired of that state consistently bringing Black Women to clean up messes we didn’t create to protect the facade of an empire that is clearly crumbling. I remember the feeling clearly cause it is present in my shoulders today in 2024.

I would’ve written & recited a very different poem. However, if I had to use Gorman’s words I would solely use the ones included in the erasure poem below.

As always with my poetry, here is an audio recording of me reciting the piece I have to offer you today 💙.

Traversing: Amanda Gorman’s Hill shortly after an attempted coup

Where a skinny Black girl,
Descended from slaves,
Arms out
Forever tied, 
The hill we climb
permanently defeated.

In this truth history has,
Its eyes on us, this is 
The era of bruised intimidation because 
We will be the inheritance of,
Their burdens.

Our legacy from the sunbaked south 
Battered and beautiful
When day comes, we...

be

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