Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote “Concord Hymn” for a monument unveiling, introducing one of the most famous lines in American history.
Poets and Poems: Marly Youmans and “Seren of the Wildwood”
“Seren of the Wildwood” by poet and writer Marly Youmans is a marvelous epic poem of a young girl finding her way through life.
Poets and Poems: Dana Gioia and “Meet Me at the Lighthouse”
“Meet Me at the Lighthouse,” the new poetry collection by Dana Gioia, explores memory, family, and remembering what’s important.
Poets and Poems: Jack Bedell and “Against the Woods’ Dark Trunks”
In “Against the Woods’ Dark Trunks,” poet Jack Bedell writes about the land and legends of south Louisiana.
Poets and Poems: Simon Armitage and “The Owl and the Nightingale”
British Poet Laureate Simon Armitage has translated the medieval poem “The Owl and the Nightingale,” and it sounds rather familiar.
Taras Shevchenko: The Poet of Ukraine
The poet Taras Shevchenko is considered the national poet of Ukraine; his poetry celebrated Ukraine’s history and hopes for the future.
W.H. Auden’s “September 1, 1939″ – The Biography of a Poem by Ian Sansom
“September 1, 1939” is one of Auden’s most famous poems. But British writer Ian Sansom sees the flaws. His biography of the poem and the poet is marvelous.
Poets and Poems: Matt Duggan and “Woodworm”
The 60 poems of “Woodworm” by Matt Duggan are speaking to us to be more aware of the havoc being wreaked by the worms of our society.
Thanksgiving—Poem by James Whitcomb Riley
May we share love’s touch with another during this Thanksgiving season, even one whose “need of touches we had never known.”
Poets and Poems: Simon Armitage Translates “Pearl”
British poet Simon Armitage has translated the late Middle English poem “Pearl,” a beautiful poem about a father’s grief and how he resolves it.
Thanksgiving Poem: The Pumpkin by John Greenleaf Whittier
Give thanks for “the vines of the gourd and the rich melon run” with a Thanksgiving poem, The Pumpkin by John Greenleaf Whittier.
How to Write an Acrostic Poem Infographic
Our new infographic will teach you how to write an acrostic poem and have you writing poetry soup for every meal.
Indy 500: Poets, Start Your Engines
For the “track folk who just love the smell of Ethanol” and the “parade wavers” and “hot dog chompers, ” Hoosier poet Adam Henze becomes the first official poet of the Indy 500 on its 100th run.
Coloring Page Poems: Piano by D. H. Lawrence
Our coloring page poems series brings the fun stress relief of coloring pages and poetry together, today with D. H. Lawrence’s “Piano.”
Coloring Page Poems: The Dandelion by Vachel Lindsay
Our coloring page poems series brings the fun stress relief of coloring pages and poetry together, today with Vachel Lindsay’s “The Dandelion.”
Robert Frost and “The Road Not Taken”
Author David Orr argues that “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is both the best known and most misunderstood American poem.
The Poems the Soldiers Read in World War I
World War I was a conflict made for poetry, and it made a lot of it. But what did the soldiers themselves read?
The Most Famous Poem of World War I
The most famous poem of World War I, “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, lives on today as the genesis of the Memorial Poppy.
Poets and Poems: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and “Prussian Nights”
“Prussian Nights” by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn reminds us that victory in war doesn’t automatically mean moral superiority over an enemy.
Re-Inventing the Ode
Creating a traditional ode allows the poet to use her outdoor voice. It is a profoundly public medium, daring to speak to and for everyone.