Mark Reads to You

Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander, written and delivered for Barack Obama's first inauguration.

Of History and Hope by Miller Williams, written and delivered for Bill Clinton's second inauguration.

On the Pulse of Morning by Maya Angelo, written and delivered for Bill Clinton's first inauguration in 1993.

The Gift Outright by Robert Frost.  Kennedy gave Frost the option of reciting this poem or a new poem at the inauguration, and when Frost couldn't read his original poem, he recited this one from memory. My reading is of the 1942 original; for the inauguration, Frost changed the last line from "Such as she would become" to "Such as she will become." That change was made at Kennedy's request,  apparently to give the poem a greater sense of optimism.

Dedication by Robert Frost. This poem was written specifically for John F. Kennedy's inauguration, but Frost was unable to deliver it as the sun (and reflected light off of snow) made it impossible for the 86 year old poet to read his copy.