Makes me proud to be a St. Lucian in America, in a time of such overwhelming change. Thank you, Dr. Walcott and Times UK. Yes we can!

Lea Daniel, Atlanta, GA, USA

Mr. Walcott, unlike the much dimmer Alexander, is a wonderful talent, and I commend him for clearly the finest poem ever delivered at a presidential inauguration. I could only wish that the news coverage would highlight his reading instead of the other.

Chris, San Diego,

instead of criticising america richard dont forget Englands past which is even worse

terrie wallace, High Wycombe , UK

Great job Mr Walcott, makes me proud to be a St Lucian!!!
I share the pride of all black people today. It gives us hope that we can achieve anything!!

Phaedra, Castries/UK,

Thank you, Derek Walcott!

Colin James, Brasilia, D.F., Brazil

It is inspiring to have our highschool students read and enjoy the hope and inspiration you share in this historical and up-lifting poem as you plant seeds of change in their future. Thank-you for sharing St.Lucian pride and joy.

Lynn, Gros Islet, St.Lucia

What wrongs will be righted when the President of the United States is a Native (Indian) American?

Richard Wilkins, Watford, England

Once again, DereK Walcott has made me beam with pride as a young St.Lucian. Well written, the essence of history well captured. Another great read by Derek.

Shermie James, Laborie, St.Lucia

This poem represents the manifestation of a truth revealed as only Derek could. He has churned thge language of bitterness into sweet butter. The rise of president elect Obama cannot be viewed as meteoric, but the slow march from Lincoln's act of faith in 1860 to our moment of acceptance.

McDonald Dixon, Castries, Saint Lucia

Does anybody know the width of an acre?

David King, Beachwood, OH, USA

How fitting, and utterly eloquent. This poem sums up the black experience in the diaspora. Thanks, Derek for your literary expose on this great historical moment. I'm proud to be a St. Lucian whenever, I read Derek's poems. Enlightening!

Ronnie Finn, Claremont, USA

I believe that this is Professor Walcott at his best. This highly cerebral poem evolves from its inception to its completion, as it cronicles the journey of the African slave from the out house to the white house. God bless President Elect Obama! God bless America!

Keithly Williams , Boston, USA

Thank you Derek!!!! In recognition of history.

Andrew Morille, Grande Riviere, St Lucia/Bermuda

I wondered when we'd see lines that would speak the speech we need to celebrate the bliss of liberation from darkness that Obama has brought to us all, red, black, blond and olive. Derek Walcott did it. Yes, a masterpiece.

Joe D. Gilliland, Bisbee,

Bravo Derek! I was surprised to see this since I had been hoping that Walcott would be chosen to read at the inauguaration. The poem captures that sense of exultation and relief such as when a farmer from "the high high country" rests a sack of ground provisions at day's end. Steve read Franz Fanon.

Jason Francis, Vieuxfort/Baltimore, Saint Lucia

This poem awakens the truth I knew but didn't see. Thank you for awakening my spirit the particulars of the world around me with keen insight and language that slices clean.

Starla, Lincoln, USA

A masterpiece!

Julie, castries, Saint Lucia

Thank you Mr Walcott for going to the depths of our inner being, forcing us to once again find that which is ours to have and to hold for many generartions. Steven Corrsin will never, never understand the connect between all Afrikan peoples of the world, so we can now dismiss him. Looking for more.

Aduke, Arima, Trinidad & Tobago

Not only am I proud to be Black, I am proud to be St. Lucian too! Thanks Derek for such a masterpiece! It is relective of the endurance of black people, how far we've come and how far we still need to go. African Americans and blacks around the world are proud that we have overcome! Bravo Barack!

Mar Butcher, Brampton, Canada

Richard,
My sentiments exactly.
Steven,
Derek Walcott is no Sarah Palin.
Mr Walcott,
Thankfully, our history has moved further down 'this lined page', the trees bearing strange fruit have withered and died, and the ground is prepared for the story that these new seeds will tell.

Maisol, Gros Islet, St.Lucia

Derek, thanks for making us Lucians proud time and time again. Steven Corrsin below does not understand the solidarity of the black man, whether African , Caribbean or American, the suffering is ,was and hopefully never will be evermore. No Steven, this poem is not about Obama.You Figure it out.

Richard Bernez, Monier, St Lucia

Brilliant: I am a Derek Walcott fan. I will keep this poem to share with my grandchildren and great - grandchildren.

Gail Campbell, Mississauga, Canada

Brilliant.

Deanne Soares, Kingston,

Stephen, it's not a biography. It's a poem. Next you're going to say "He was never a farmer!".

Delia LaVelle, Atlanta, US

We will save this poem for our children, along with the newspapers from Wednesday morning. And we will never forget falling to sleep late Tuesday night here in New York City to the near and far echoes of people on the street shouting for joy.

Ruth Thomas-Suh, New York, USA

Outstanding sir! Your eloquent words have captured the essence and the spirit of a dream which seemed forever deferred. Bless you.

Mel Thomas, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Good Poem and an honor for Mr. Obama and his achievement.

Frayedcat, Pittsburgh, US

A comment I heard that merits repeating regarding the 40 acres promised to freed slaves of America is this: "The country did not give the Black man the forty acres and a mule as promised. But tonight, instead, they gave the Black man 50 states and the White House."

Deborah Thornton, Las Vegas, United States of America

Very nice but has nothing to do with Obama, whose father was African and whose mother was white midwesterner. Perhaps the poet should read the papers more often. I speak as a white American who voted for Obama.

Stephen Corrsin, New York,

The only problem about "waiting for the sower" is that growth takes time, and we will continue to reap what George Bush Jnr sowed for some time to come. Among the fruits of his presidency are the shreds of the UN Charter, which Bush tore up when he invaded Iraq without a mandate. Good luck, Obama.

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

I agree with Mr. Ross Stirling.
Today the world needs the kinds of leaders who changed the lives of humanity for the better...as the same is on the crossroads and WE ALL HAVE A DREAM!!!

Kashif Iftikhar, Lahore, Pakistan

such eloquence, hope, and beauty...befitting this election and a new dawn in america. thank you.

joel , indianola, USA

In its vital imagery and archaic cadence, this poem does something poems rarely do: voice a philosophical stance with no preaching or didacticism. As such, it is in the tradition of America's great poet Walt Whitman and a testament to Mr. Wolcott's rich contribution to the English canon.

Rebecca Jones, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Thank You.

Pat S, Saint Paul, USA

The poem exudes the need for timely perseverence and rekindles the human spirit. Barack's speach itself was one of poetry and should spark world wide naustalgia.

Ross Stirling, Belfast, N. Ireland