We've braved the belly of the beast,
We've learned that quiet isn't always peace,
and the norms and notions
of what just is
isn't always just-ice.
These lines, because of their sonic qualities, are evidence of the original medium of this poem as a slam poem: the transition from "just is" to "just-ice" is abundantly clear in the performance of this piece. The similarity of their sounds emphasizes Gorman's point: that despite these phrases sounding the same, their meanings are very different. The assonance between the words "beast" and "peace" also conveys this same point. These factor into her message to refrain from accepting society as it currently is, and instead striving to build something more effective.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true,
that even as we grieved, we grew,
that even as we hurt, we hoped,
that even as we tired, we tried,
that we'll forever be tied together, victorious.
These few lines are an example of anaphora, a literary device where the first few words of a phrase are repeated more than once. The repetition of "that even as we" emphasizes the idea of resilience and perseverance in the face of difficult situations. There are many negative emotions experienced by the "we" in the poem, but the repetition of "even" indicates that these negative emotions are not enough to hinder the forward momentum of the speaker. Additionally, the verbs change from grief to growth, from hurt to hope, and from tiredness to effort, and alliteration emphasizes the shift from negative to positive verbs. The repetition of the starting sounds of these lines argues that hope is not too far away from hurt. Despite the despair that one might feel in the face of trials and tribulations, the fact is that hope and growth is not too far from the darkness that we are seemingly surrounded by; it only takes some effort to understand.
If we're to live up to our own time,
then victory won't lie in the blade.
But in all the bridges we've made,
that is the promise to glade,
the hill we climb.
If only we dare.
These few lines contain the title of the poem, emphasizing the title by contrasting it with other types of sonic effects. "The hill we climb" contains short "i" sounds, whereas the rhymes that surround it—"blade," "made," "glade," and "dare"—all contain long "a" sounds, which distinguishes them from the rest of the lines. These lines emphasize that victory won't come from war, but instead from the connections and communities that are built along the way. This pacifist outlook is not presented as passive or easy, however. Gorman emphasizes that we have to "dare" to choose this peaceful path, that this is a conscious choice to make. With the line "that is the promise to glade," the speaker uses the word "glade," typically meaning a clearing, as a verb. In this context, "the promise to glade" means the promise that we must make in order to create a peaceful setting, to create a "glade" for all to sit in. These lines contain the main thesis of the poem, where peace and prosperity are available to us if we dare to take that path, and remember that violence is not the answer to our problems.
But one thing is certain,
If we merge mercy with might,
and might with right,
then love becomes our legacy,
and change our children's birthright.
The sound that pervades these two lines is the short "i" in "might" and "right." Short and punchy, it conveys a feeling of power and strength, in addition to the semantic meaning of the words. However, wedged in between these two staccato sounds is the line "love becomes our legacy," with very drawn out "o" and "a" sounds that have a strong contrast to the short "i." This contrast marks that line as different, and the audience is drawn to that line, emphasizing its message. Gorman uses "legacy" and "birthright" to again draw our attention to generationality and inheritance, emphasizing that social change may be important for the present, but it will also impact the future. The coming generations may inherit our problems, but will also inherit our love, and it is our collective action that can change their future.
