True to this sentiment, Gorman wore a ring in the shape of a caged bird from New York-based Of Rare Origin during the reading, in tribute to African-American poet, Maya Angelou, who read a poem entitled On the Pulse of Morning at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993. The ring was a gift from Oprah Winfrey.

Now that we know that she draws her strength from those who came before her, her calls upon the new administration to "compose a country committed to all cultures, colours, characters and conditions of man" is a hundredfold more powerful. There is no doubt that Gorman's star is only beginning to rise.

Much to the delight of Hamilton fans, Gorman makes several references to the hit musical, which is based on the founding fathers of America. In her poem, she alludes to the Bible passage that the character of Washington sings in the musical and echoes the title of one of the more powerful songs in the soundtrack with these lines: 'For while we have our eyes on the future/ history has its eyes on us". 

Lin-Manuel Miranda himself has come out singing praises for Gorman's poem, describing it "perfectly written, perfectly delivered." And we are inclined to agree.

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Recently graduating from Harvard University, Gorman has expressed her desire to run for president in 2036, an interest that she even incorporates in her inaugural poem: "We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one." 

Gorman acting as the first ever youth poet laureate is a historic moment in the literary world, especially for young poets everywhere. Her reading breathes new life into the genre and with the much-anticipated release of her children's book, Change Sings, and her first poetry collection, The Hill We Climb, there will be a lasting spotlight on poetry as an art form for creative expression and activism—even as a tool for healing and introspection.