"The Gift Outright" was the poem recited for the presidential inauguration on January 20, 1961 for John F. Kennedy. In January 20, 1993 exactly thirty two years later, Maya Angelou read her inaugural poem for Bill Clinton's inauguration. These poems denote the beginning of new decisions and a new beginning for our nation. They give a personal touch to the new presidential inauguration and serve as a ray of light to guide our nation into better times. The poems …showed first 75 words of 775 total…

…showed last 75 words of 775 total…we move on and build a stronger nation for our descendants to live in. The path of our ancestors is paved and we are there to walk further than they once did. Understanding our past and sacrificing selfish greed is the only way for us to move on. Under a new leader marks the start of better times and new conclusions are found in this newer era. These are the meanings of both inaugural poems.