January 20, 2009

Barack Obama was inducted as the 44th President of the United States today.

I don’t have too much to say about that, but I thought it deserved mentioning.

In fact, I have about ten book’s worth of things to say about that, but this day has beat me down. I’ve been crying since I woke up. Mostly from incredulous joy and reawakened hope, but basically from every emotion known to induce tears.

It is a beautiful day. And the beauty of this day extends far past Mr. Obama himself - and he knows this, and he is humbled by this - and that very fact humbles me, as well.

Other than 9/11, this is the most important day in the history of my brief life, and upon reflection will hopefully mean more and more as the years progress.

Today, I don’t care what people have to say about the state of the economy or the emptiness of promises or the impossible standards people are holding the President to before he’s even begun. Today, I’m allowing myself to be moved by the words of a man with passion and integrity, and by the fact that this is real life, not a movie or a book. I can not recall the last person who has somehow managed to stir our souls the way Obama has. And this… THIS IS REAL.

A few minutes ago, I was watching Barack dance with his wife, Michelle, at the Neighborhood Ball. Beyonce was singing “At Last,” and Obama was holding his wife, and they were dancing, and everyone was crying, and all I could think was how humbling the entire experience must be. For example - here is Beyonce, looking all gorgeous and being all famous, and yet that moment was probably one of the most profound and humbling experiences of her entire life. In that moment, she was just a singer, offering her gift to the President and his wife, so they could dance together and begin this incredible journey.

I think it’s time the nation possessed a little poetry. And today, I heard poetry. Today, I felt stirred to believe in something again. Regardless of all the realities we face, regardless of all the complex issues to come… today, was a beautiful day.

Today was poetry.

Reviews

[Sean Allen]

Since the early 1960's when a friend and I stood in a hot summer sun in front of a bone chilling sign that said "Whites Only" I have dreamed of the day when a person's race would not be a factor in how their character and fitness for any job was judged. In the past few months I read the autobiographies of President Obama, Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell. Although I disagree with President Obama's politics, I am pleased, for my friend from the 1960's, that Obama is the one who has finally picked up the torch.

I can only hope that he will do his best to fulfill the dreams of so many Americans.

[Raef C. Boylan]

Markymark was a little harsh towards you; I hope you picked him up on that? Of all the reviews here, I agree most with his and Sean Allen's politics - but this was an uplifting piece of writing, and it's a shame he didn't try to criticise it thus.
Hopefully we'll reach international equality soon [yeah yeah, I can hope can't I?] so that the there will be no puppeteering [if that's a word] - no voting for somebody based on their race or sex regardless of their policies...or lack of them.
It's good that you marked this time in history. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully Obama won't give you reason to look back on this piece with any regret and will instead do you proud.

[Far West]

So many of the speeches for change and empowerment are reruns of Leninists, Stalinists, Marxists, Communists, etc.

Lets hope this hope is different; thus far I fear the worst.

But your thoughts are precious. But, as long as it's 'man' we put our faith in we'll be disappointed and misguided.

Nice work...

[Markymark]

This day was a nightmare towards socialism. That's the problem with America. We want our Rock Stars, to heck with their core beliefs or politics. He is charasmatic, I will concede that. Any review AT ALL, of his internal ideaology, will leave little doubt that he is 180 degrees opposed to the ideaologies that the founding fathers expressed so openly in the old writings, but you likely have not, or have any desire to study such documents, if you are like the average American. His cabinet appointments leave little doubt that he is-- just as billed-- a community organizer. Completely unworthy, and utterly unqualified to be President of the United States. A person's race should not preclude him from public office, nor should it be a springboard into it. It should be a non-revelant issue. We have one thing in common. I cried too. As for his inaguration being a poem. I would say it was a scripted, choreographed, piece of plastic. TO me the very epitome of what poetry should NEVER, EVER be.

[Michael X]

Really nice story and the truth speaks with joyous feelings that I'm sure many can relate to,
its beautifully written and expressed. Lets hope change is made

[Tomás Ó C..]

Indeed, all of our hopes were high... I just hope he lives up to the billing... we cannot forget that Mugabe was a hero and all round good guy when he started too... not that Obama will turn into Mugabe... but he can certainly turn into another George Bush... we'll judge him by his deeds...

[x]

Thanks lets HOPE he works

[Tara]

Thanks for writing this...I didn't have the words myself. only the same tears you describe...Today is Poetry. Just Beautiful. :)

[An owl on the moon]

So profound, my dear friend. How we long to see hope embodied in our leaders; in each other... Hope alive and breathing, inspiring us to be a better people. Your words do the same. You always inspire us and lift us to a better place...

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Amen my friend... amen... what a glorious day it was when Martin Luther's dream took on another dimension... how fitting it was the day after Martin Luther King day... we have a ways to go as a nation but that was one big leap forward.