Poet Amanda Gorman goes viral, gains thousands of followers after inauguration

Poet Amanda Gorman drew widespread praise on social media after taking the stage for President Biden’s inauguration Wednesday.

The 22-year-old became the youngest inaugural poet in American history when she recited her work, “The Hill We Climb,” a touching poem about unity and reconciliation that she finished after the pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month.

The Los Angeles-born writer — who, like Biden, overcame a speech impediment — joins a small but prestigious group of inaugural poets that includes Robert Frost and Maya Angelou.

Moments after her performance, Gorman had gained more than 200,000 followers on Twitter — and a whole lot of fans.

“I need to go back and watch that Amanda Gorman part about 900 times. What a blessing and a gift,” writer Xeni Jardin tweeted.

“My goodness, @TheAmandaGorman is just 22 and has the bearing and wisdom of someone thrice that age,” writer Charlotte Clymer said. “Well done, Ms. Gorman — thank you for sharing your gift with the country.”

Gorman’s “The Hill We Climb” reads in part:

“We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it,

Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.

And this effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed,

It can never be permanently defeated.”

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