Read Amanda Gorman’s Poem for Oprah on Her 70th Birthday
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Amanda Gorman is no stranger to celebrating powerful figures. As the National Youth Poet Laureate, she gained prominence for reciting her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Poignantly, Gorman wore a pair of earrings given to her by Oprah herself—and inspired by Maya Angelou’s autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Later, Gorman published a poetry collection, Call Us What We Carry, and sat down for an interview with Oprah all about that watershed moment. So it’s only fitting that Gorman wrote a poem in recognition of Oprah’s 70th birthday, January 29, 2024.
Watch Gorman read her moving words here, and read the full piece below. Then, take a look at Oprah’s reflection on her milestone birthday here—and join us in wishing a very happy birthday to Oprah!
Seldom is a name a noun, a figure and phenomenon,
An icon, carrying on, sure and strong,
Steady and stunning, for 70 years running.
Seldom is a two-syllable sound
So profound, it is known everywhere.
This is not because the name Oprah is rare.
It is because no other Oprah—no other person—
Has become what Oprah has become,
Done what Oprah has done.
More than the rarity of a name,
It is the singularity of how she has turned
Adversity and pain into power and acclaim.
She has shown what it means to own
Our communities, our humanity, and all that we call broken.
Oprah, the open-hearted optimist, philanthropist,
Global leader, avid reader,
Who knocks down every door for the generation behind her.
A reminder of what it means to be
More caring, more courageous, kinder.
She’s displayed it is one thing to be self-made,
And another to be self-less.
Not only has she made a career,
She has made history,
Evoked hope, listened
and spoken to us
In the darkest hours.
Oprah says when she looks at the future it’s so bright it burns her eyes.
When we look at Oprah, she is so bright she opens ours—
Invites us to see each other as we are—
Our strength, our scars, our hurt, our hearts.
70 is just a number, but Oprah is more than a name.
She is a wonder. More than just admired, she is beloved,
Proof that even from embers a woman can build an empire.
With her fearless flare, her fire, her desire to dare,
She proves that lifetime achievement is not
What we achieve in our lifetimes,
But what we inspire others to achieve in theirs.
Happy birthday to the one and only Oprah!
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