One Today

The teeming, diverse, yet unified life of the US is presented within the wider context of the natural objects or phenomena that make up the world we live in: the sun, moon, ground, wind, and sky. These are presented symbolically, in that they represent an idea beyond their literal meaning. Each object or natural force has its own function but also symbolizes unity. For example, there is only one sun, one sky under which we live, one ground on which we tread, and so on. The natural environment thus symbolizes the ideal of a unified country.

Gratitude is implied as a motif throughout this optimistic poem, right from when the sun rises and sends its rays of light everywhere across the US. It becomes more prominent in the penultimate stanza, in the context of the recurring image of the sky. People look up to the sky to express gratitude for love received and also in praise of a loving mother, as well as in understanding and forgiveness of a father, “who couldn’t give what you wanted” (Line 60). Given the upward glance, this might be seen as a reference to God or religious faith, but the poet avoids making this specific on such a secular occasion as the inauguration of a US president.