America United

“The Hill We Climb” shares the same primary theme as the inauguration: America United. Many of the speakers and performers at the inauguration aimed to address the country’s issues while also pushing an optimistic message that empowered the populace. Likewise, in this poem the poet recognizes the division in the country, characterizing it as “a force that would shatter our nation / rather than share it” (56-57). However, she does not dwell on the problems of the recent or distant past, instead opting to look towards solutions and a future that is inclusive of everyone. This tendency to look for common ground is evident in the line “So we lift our gazes not to what stands between us / but what stands before us” (29-30). This poem asks its audience to look past their differences and think of future generations.

In focusing on the creation of...