"Presidential Poems: An Artistic Expression on Inauguration Day," by Patrick Flesch

Every four or eight years, the United States welcomes a new president to a four-year term on inauguration day. Presidential inaugurations are a celebration of the now complete and successful campaign, and of the commencement of the new president’s journey as he (or, maybe one day soon, she) begins to lead the Free World. At these inaugurations, the newly elected president will give an address and take the presidential oath of office. Along with the more traditional aspects, three past presidents have invited poets to join them to read commissioned poems to commemorate the occasion. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama have the distinction of being the only three presidents to have poems read on their Inauguration Day.

President Kennedy began this not oft-used tradition by inviting Robert Frost to read at his inauguration in 1961. Along with being the first, Frost's reading also has the distinction of being the most interesting. Frost, who was 86 at the time of the reading, struggled to read his poem “Dedication,” which he had written specifically for this occasion. His old age combined with the glare coming off of the newly fallen snow made it impossible to read his faint transcript in front of him. Thinking on his toes, Frost read from memory another poem of his entitled “The Gift Outright," which has a patriotic tone and references manifest destiny, the United States’ thirst for domination of the continent.

Thirty-two years later, President Clinton had famed poet Maya Angelou write and read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning.” This poem touched on how the US may face dangers ahead, but it will endure. Clinton also had a poem read at his second inauguration at the start of his second term. For this ceremony, Clinton commissioned Miller Williams to read “Of History and Hope," a poem that discusses how history will guide the US forward.

The latest and, as of now, the last president to include poems at his inauguration was President Obama. In 2009, Obama chose Elizabeth Alexander as his poet of choice. She wrote and read “Praise Song for the Day.” This poem touches on inclusion and togetherness, a theme that fit perfectly into the strategy of Obama's campaign. At his second inauguration, Obama chose “One Today” by Richard Blanco. In this poem, Blanco also talks about a collective and mentions notable landmarks across the US. Obama knew his message and chose great poems to convey it during his inaugurations.

Inauguration poems are a nice tradition that should be continued and widened. They bring poetry into a national spotlight by including it in such a major event. Additionally, poetry lends itself well to the occasion as it can continue a message that the president hopes to carry as they embark on their four-year terms. They are also very memorable. I remember being ten and watching Obama’s inauguration and remember the reading of “Praise Song for the Day.” I would love for other ten-or-so-year-olds to have a similar memory as they grow and decide what is important to them.