Praise Song for the Day: A Poem for Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.22 (713 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1555975453 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 28 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-10-28 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
“Elizabeth Alexander is an inspired choice for this historic role. She is from Washington, she represents Obama's generation, and she has written about the civil rights conflict and other historical events that have shaped the character of this country At the same time, her intense personal vision reveals the commonplace life illuminated from startling new angles--as good poetry always does.” Tree Swenson, Director of the Academy of American Poets. What a joy it will be to see her and hear her at that podium on that day!” Alice Quinn“Elizabeth Alexander is a superb choice for the Obama Inauguration. She is a marv
A Hymn of Hope Foster Corbin Here is the poem "Praise Song For The Day" that Elizabeth Alexander read at the Obama inauguration, shorter than either of the prayers offered and briefer and better than "A Rock, A River, A Tree," the poem that Maya Angelou read at Bill Clinton's first inauguration although both poems-- even though Ms. Alexander does not use the word-- are about hope, as is the poem from the second Clinton inauguration, "Of History and Hope," by Miller Williams. It is not unusual that hope is a recurring theme in all these poems since we as U. S. citizens get all fired up. SING PRAISE TODAY FOR PRAISE SONG FOR THE DAY! This brief (one long poem) paperback in a Greek blue and formal cover from Professor Alexander's old publisher Graywolf merits its humble, small space upon every shelf in America.I recall the great Robert Frost (The Poetry of Robert Frost: The Collected Poems, Complete and Unabridged) delivering the JFK Inaugural Poem, a reworking of an earlier work. I wonder who would have presented the Second JFK Inaugural Poem, and those of his family to come.I remember the mighty Maya Angelou (The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou) delivering with great yearning. Brockeim said Missing Barack Obama's Presidential Quality. In a word: mediocre. Yes, this will disappoint devotees and debutantes, but, away from the politics of it all, the poem was not a strongly written piece. It is with sadness I post this review.While I love a poem filled with descriptive images, Alexander chose unimaginative cliches to show America. She presented no nuance, no color, nothing that is more than a prosaic poem not fit for a high school talent contest.She looked for meaning, then scraped it clean of impact and influence before committing her idea to paper.Who or what is she praising? A day? The
Selected by Barack Obama, Alexander composed and delivered her original poem "Praise Song for the Day" to an audience of millions, and now the poem can be read and savored for posterity. Canto de alabanza para el día: Poema para la ceremonia inaugural del mandato de Barack Obama. On January 20, 2009, Elizabeth Alexander served as the fourth ever inaugural poet and a central participant in one of the most closely watched inaugurations in American history. Printed on heavy, uncoated stock, with French flaps, and a silver foil stamp, this collectible chapbook is a cherished reminder of this monumental presidential event.Also available in Spanish
She is Professor of African-American Studies, English, and American Studies at Yale University.. Elizabeth Alexander is the author of four collections of poetry, the most recent of which is American Sublime, two collections of essays, and several edited volumes