“Doing their tasks and accepting the fact that they had to do things that they wanted to do, and they are clinging to the idea that hope is coming in the future. The hope is that Obama will help build that bridge to a better future.”

Praise Song for the Day by Elizabeth Alexander, is an ode about Barack Obama’s Presidential inauguration. This ode stresses the hope Obama has brought to citizens around the nation.  “I know there’s something better down the road. We need to find a place that is safe.” (Line 22-23) refers to the Americans, (Immigrants) who left their homelands, in search for a better life for their family. “Praise song for the struggle, praise song for the day” (line 31) This line correlates to African slavery age and people who died for this day (inauguration.) Finally, Elizabeth Alexander wraps up the poem “praise song for walking forward in that light.” (Line 43) making reference to the theme of the poem, Obama’s inauguration. This closing line shows that there is hope for America.