On the Pulse of Morning was published as a standalone volume by Random House in 1993, following Angelou’s recitation at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration on January 20, 1993. She was the first poet since Robert Frost (at Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961) to be invited to read at a presidential swearing-in, and the first Black woman and first woman ever to do so.
The poem is composed in three voices: a Rock, a River, and a Tree — each speaking to the American people, calling them to acknowledge the full truth of their history (including slavery, genocide, and exclusion) and to begin again in courage and hope. The structure is processional: each section builds toward the final invitation: “Here, on the pulse of this new day, / You may have the grace to look up and out / And into your sister’s eyes, / And into your brother’s face, your country / And say simply / Very simply / With hope— / Good morning.”
The poem divided critics: some found it genuinely moving and appropriate to the occasion; others found it too general, too oratorical, lacking the compression and surprise that poetry requires. But its cultural impact was enormous: Angelou’s reading — delivered in her deep, measured voice to a national audience of millions — demonstrated that poetry could still function as public discourse, addressing the entire nation on a ceremonial occasion.
Collecting On the Pulse of Morning
First edition (Random House, New York, 1993): Slim hardcover, illustrated.
Market values:
- First edition, fine/fine: $15–$40
- Signed: $75–$200
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation due to historical significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the occasion for this poem? Angelou wrote and read “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration on January 20, 1993 — the first inaugural poem since Robert Frost read at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961. The poem, addressing a Rock, a River, and a Tree, calls for Americans to face their history honestly and embrace a diverse future. The book edition (Random House, 1993) became a bestseller.
Is this a good collecting entry point? At $15–$40 for unsigned copies, the inaugural edition is one of the most affordable Angelou first editions and carries genuine historical significance.