“February: Poems” by Boris Pasternak reflect the poet (and novelist’s) experience of living in a Russia marked by war, revolution, civil war, and oppressive communism.
Poets and Poems: J.R.R. Tolkien and “Beowulf”
The newly published translation of “Beowulf” by J.R.R. Tolkien is both poetic prose and a reminder of the epic’s influence on “The Lord of the Rings.”
Anna Akhmatova and the Poetry of Resilience
Russian poet Anna Akhmatova experienced personal tragedy, war, revolution, civil war, and Stalinist repression, and still wrote haunting poetry.
Poem Analysis: Matthew Arnold’s Dover Beach
“The sea is calm tonight…” An evocative poem analysis focusing on the imagery in Matthew Arnold’s Dover Beach. Insightful and helpful…
Eating and Drinking Poems: Neruda’s “Ode to the Onion”
Guest contributor Nicole Gulotta writes about Chilean poet Pablo Neruda’s purpose behind his odes to the mundane, looking specifically at the unexpected beauty of the onion. She pairs this poem with a classic French Onion soup recipe: the perfect blend of cozy and satisfying.
Poetry Classroom: A Valediction—Forbidding Mourning
Not exactly what one expects in classical love poetry, to be sure. But hold your horses for this one, because I think this is the greatest love poem ever written.
Poetry Classroom: Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd
Welcome to this month’s poetry classroom, with author and literature professor Karen Swallow Prior. Now discussing The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd.
Poetry Classroom: Passionate Shepherd to his Love
Even if you have not read Christopher Marlowe’s famous poem, “The Passionate Shepherd to his Love, ” you probably know its poetry anyway. Really.
Poetry Classroom: Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare (1609)
In this month’s poetry classroom, author and literature professor Karen Swallow Prior will be treating us to a discussion of classic love poetry—beginning with Shakespeare.