U.S. inauguration poet calls for ‘unity and togetherness’

The 22-year-old delivered her work The Hill We Climb to both the dignitaries present in Washington DC and a watching global audience.

“When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” her five-minute poem began.

She went on to reference the storming of the Capitol earlier this month.

“We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it, would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy,” she declared.

“And this effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.”