Poetry: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
July 4th Poems
A selection of classic poems about America for Independence Day, by William Blake, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emma Lazarus, Walt Whitman, Carl Sandburg & Stephen Vincent Benét.
A selection of classic poems about America for Independence Day, by William Blake, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emma Lazarus, Walt Whitman, Carl Sandburg & Stephen Vincent Benét.
Poems of War and Remembrance
A collection of classic war poems, by Li Po, William Shakespeare, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Stephen Crane, Walt Whitman, Thomas Hardy, John McCrae, Carl Sandburg, Wilfrid Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, William Butler Yeats & Thomas McGrath.
A collection of classic war poems, by Li Po, William Shakespeare, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Stephen Crane, Walt Whitman, Thomas Hardy, John McCrae, Carl Sandburg, Wilfrid Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, William Butler Yeats & Thomas McGrath.
Summer Poems
A collection of poems for summer, including an anonymous medieval lyric and classics by Thomas Nashe, William Blake, Emily Dickinson, John Greenleaf Whittier, John Clare, Amy Lowell & Gerard Manley Hopkins, plus new poems from contemporary poets around the world.
A collection of poems for summer, including an anonymous medieval lyric and classics by Thomas Nashe, William Blake, Emily Dickinson, John Greenleaf Whittier, John Clare, Amy Lowell & Gerard Manley Hopkins, plus new poems from contemporary poets around the world.
Poems for Mothers
A collection of classic poems about motherhood, by Anne Bradstreet, William Blake, Christina Rossetti, Edgar Allan Poe, Rudyard Kipling & Walt Whitman.
A collection of classic poems about motherhood, by Anne Bradstreet, William Blake, Christina Rossetti, Edgar Allan Poe, Rudyard Kipling & Walt Whitman.
Poems for Fathers
A collection of classic poems about fatherhood, by Robert Greene, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Rudyard Kipling & Gerard Manley Hopkins.
A collection of classic poems about fatherhood, by Robert Greene, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Rudyard Kipling & Gerard Manley Hopkins.
Independence Day Poems: 'Good Night' by Carl Sandburg (1920)
'Good Night' by Carl Sandburg (1920)
'Good Night' by Carl Sandburg (1920)
Acrostic Poem
Acrostic poem defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
Acrostic poem defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
Independence Day Poems: 'I Hear America Singing' by Walt Whitman (1900)
'I Hear America Singing' by Walt Whitman (1900)
'I Hear America Singing' by Walt Whitman (1900)
Independence Day Poems: 'Concord Hymn' by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1837)
'Concord Hymn' by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1837)
'Concord Hymn' by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1837)
Independence Day Poems: 'American Names' by Stephen Vincent Benét (1927)
'American Names' by Stephen Vincent Benét (1927)
'American Names' by Stephen Vincent Benét (1927)
Winter Poems
A collection of poems for winter, including classics by William Shakespeare, Thomas Campion, Robert Burns, Emily Dickinson & Robert Frost, plus new poems from contemporary poets around the world.
A collection of poems for winter, including classics by William Shakespeare, Thomas Campion, Robert Burns, Emily Dickinson & Robert Frost, plus new poems from contemporary poets around the world.
Poems for Peace
An anthology of poems for peace, gathered at About Poetry during the war in Iraq, as the necessary successor to our Poems After the Attack collection of 9.11.01 poems.
An anthology of poems for peace, gathered at About Poetry during the war in Iraq, as the necessary successor to our Poems After the Attack collection of 9.11.01 poems.
Get started submitting
A simple step-by-step outline to help you manage the process of submitting your poems for publication.
A simple step-by-step outline to help you manage the process of submitting your poems for publication.
Love Poems
A collection of classic love poems by Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, John Donne, Anne Bradstreet, Andrew Marvell, Robert Burns, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Elizabeth Barrett Browning & William Butler Yeats.
A collection of classic love poems by Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, John Donne, Anne Bradstreet, Andrew Marvell, Robert Burns, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Elizabeth Barrett Browning & William Butler Yeats.
Independence Day Poems: 'A Nation's Strength' by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1904)
'A Nation's Strength' by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1904)
'A Nation's Strength' by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1904)
Spring Poems
A collection of poems for spring, including classics by Tu Fu, William Shakespeare, Thomas Carew, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Christina Rossetti, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, D.H. Lawrence & Gerard Manley Hopkins, plus new poems from contemporary poets around the world.
A collection of poems for spring, including classics by Tu Fu, William Shakespeare, Thomas Carew, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Christina Rossetti, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, D.H. Lawrence & Gerard Manley Hopkins, plus new poems from contemporary poets around the world.
Index of Poems - Alphabetical by Poet Name
Index by poet's name of the poems published at the About Poetry Web site.
Index by poet's name of the poems published at the About Poetry Web site.
Independence Day Poems: 'Paul Revere's Ride' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)
'Paul Revere's Ride' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)
'Paul Revere's Ride' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)
Independence Day Poems: 'America, A Prophecy' (Preludium) by William Blake (1793)
'America, A Prophecy' (Preludium) by William Blake (1793)
'America, A Prophecy' (Preludium) by William Blake (1793)
Locate the text of a poem
A simple step-by-step outline of how to find the text of a poem on the Net when you can only remember one line.
A simple step-by-step outline of how to find the text of a poem on the Net when you can only remember one line.
Poems of War: 'St. Crispin's Day speech,' from Henry V (1599) by William Shakespeare
'St. Crispin's Day speech,' from Henry V (1599) by William Shakespeare
'St. Crispin's Day speech,' from Henry V (1599) by William Shakespeare
Concrete Poetry/VisPo
A collection of poems in which the art is visual, and the typographical arrangement is as much a part of the poem's meaning as other more traditional poetic techniques -- including examples by Rinaldo Rasa, Alan Sondheim, Tree Riesener, and an anonymous Web poet.
A collection of poems in which the art is visual, and the typographical arrangement is as much a part of the poem's meaning as other more traditional poetic techniques -- including examples by Rinaldo Rasa, Alan Sondheim, Tree Riesener, and an anonymous Web poet.
HipHop, PerfPo, SpokenWd, Slam
Definitions of 'open mic,' 'poetry slam,' 'spoken word,' 'performance poetry,' 'poetry,' 'hiphop' & 'rap' from Eman, 16-year-old poet & host of two weekly open mics. 'If you’re looking for the definitions of the New Poetry from the younger generation, she’s the one to ask.'
Definitions of 'open mic,' 'poetry slam,' 'spoken word,' 'performance poetry,' 'poetry,' 'hiphop' & 'rap' from Eman, 16-year-old poet & host of two weekly open mics. 'If you’re looking for the definitions of the New Poetry from the younger generation, she’s the one to ask.'
Poems for Mothers: 'To My Mother' by Christina Rossetti (1842)
'To My Mother' by Christina Rossetti
'To My Mother' by Christina Rossetti
Halloween Poems: The Witches' Spell from Macbeth by William Shakespeare
The Witches' Spell from Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1606)
The Witches' Spell from Macbeth by William Shakespeare (1606)
Poets Laureate of the U.S.A.
A Net-annotated list of all the poets who have served the U.S. Library of Congress as Consultant (the old title) or Poet Laureate Consultant (the new title).
A Net-annotated list of all the poets who have served the U.S. Library of Congress as Consultant (the old title) or Poet Laureate Consultant (the new title).
Poems for Mothers: 'To My Mother' by Edgar Allan Poe
'To My Mother' by Edgar Allan Poe (1849)
'To My Mother' by Edgar Allan Poe (1849)
Poems of War: 'War Is Kind' by Stephen Crane (1899)
'War Is Kind' by Stephen Crane (1899)
'War Is Kind' by Stephen Crane (1899)
"The Road Not Taken" Guide
Notes on form and content, commentary and annotations on Robert Frost's beloved but "tricky" poem, "The Road Not Taken" (published in his 1920 collection, Mountain Interval).
Notes on form and content, commentary and annotations on Robert Frost's beloved but "tricky" poem, "The Road Not Taken" (published in his 1920 collection, Mountain Interval).
On Poems in Competition
Our friend Kurt Heintz has some sage advice for the poet who asked this question: 'What is the reliability of the hundreds of poetry contests being run on the Net? Is it prudent to submit manuscripts to them?'
Our friend Kurt Heintz has some sage advice for the poet who asked this question: 'What is the reliability of the hundreds of poetry contests being run on the Net? Is it prudent to submit manuscripts to them?'
Summer Poems: 'A something in a summer's day' (#122) by Emily Dickinson
'A something in a summer's day' (#122) by Emily Dickinson
'A something in a summer's day' (#122) by Emily Dickinson
Independence Day Poems: 'The New Colossus' by Emma Lazarus (1883)
'The New Colossus' by Emma Lazarus (1883)
'The New Colossus' by Emma Lazarus (1883)
Love Poems: 'Aedh wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' by William Butler Yeats (1899)
'Aedh wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' by William Butler Yeats (1899)
'Aedh wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' by William Butler Yeats (1899)
A Guide to Blake's "The Tyger"
Notes on context, form and content, commentary and quotations on William Blake's poem "The Tyger" from Songs of Experience (1794).
Notes on context, form and content, commentary and quotations on William Blake's poem "The Tyger" from Songs of Experience (1794).
Summer Poems: 'Summer' by Amy Lowell (1912)
'Summer' by Amy Lowell (1912)
'Summer' by Amy Lowell (1912)
Collections of Love Poems
Anthologies and single poet collections of love poetry, classic and contemporary, from ancient and modern cultures all over the world, selected by your guides.
Anthologies and single poet collections of love poetry, classic and contemporary, from ancient and modern cultures all over the world, selected by your guides.
Summer Poems: 'Summer' by John Clare (1865)
'Summer' by John Clare (1865)
'Summer' by John Clare (1865)
A Glossary of Poetic Forms
Poetic forms briefly defined.
Poetic forms briefly defined.
A Guide to "The Second Coming"
Notes on context, form and content, commentary and quotations on William Butler Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming” (1920).
Notes on context, form and content, commentary and quotations on William Butler Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming” (1920).
Poems for Fathers: 'Only a Dad' by Edgar A. Guest (1916)
'Only a Dad' by Edgar A. Guest (1916)
'Only a Dad' by Edgar A. Guest (1916)
Love Poems: Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare (1609)
Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare (1609)
Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare (1609)
Winter Poems: 'Dust of Snow' and 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost
'Dust of Snow' and 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost (1923)
'Dust of Snow' and 'Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening' by Robert Frost (1923)
William Blake
A reference page on William Blake, visionary poet and artist who created his own mythology, wrote epics and children's rhymes, and made illustrated books that are admired icons centuries after his death.
A reference page on William Blake, visionary poet and artist who created his own mythology, wrote epics and children's rhymes, and made illustrated books that are admired icons centuries after his death.
Poems for Fathers: 'Father' by Edgar A. Guest (1909)
'Father' by Edgar A. Guest (1909)
'Father' by Edgar A. Guest (1909)
Put together a manuscript
A simple step-by-step outline to help you gather your poems in manuscript form for submission to publishers or publication contests.
A simple step-by-step outline to help you gather your poems in manuscript form for submission to publishers or publication contests.
Love Poems: 'To My Dear and Loving Husband' by Anne Bradstreet (1678)
'To My Dear and Loving Husband' by Anne Bradstreet (1678)
'To My Dear and Loving Husband' by Anne Bradstreet (1678)
Memorize a poem
You memorize because you have to, the poem was written for you & you must make it your own, step-by-step you learn it by heart...
You memorize because you have to, the poem was written for you & you must make it your own, step-by-step you learn it by heart...
Sonnet
The sonnet defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
The sonnet defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
Poems from Poetry Africa 2003
Poems gathered by Bob Holman at the 2003 Poetry Africa festival, by Akeem Lasisi, Timothy Wangusa, Lesego Rampolokeng, Lebogang Mashile & Abdallah Zrika
Poems gathered by Bob Holman at the 2003 Poetry Africa festival, by Akeem Lasisi, Timothy Wangusa, Lesego Rampolokeng, Lebogang Mashile & Abdallah Zrika
Poems for Mothers: 'Before the Birth of One of Her Children' by Anne Bradstreet (1678)
'Before the Birth of One of Her Children' by Anne Bradstreet
'Before the Birth of One of Her Children' by Anne Bradstreet
Poems for Mothers: 'Mother o' Mine' by Rudyard Kipling (1891)
'Mother o' Mine' by Rudyard Kipling
'Mother o' Mine' by Rudyard Kipling
Poems for Mothers: 'The Little Boy Found' by William Blake (1791)
'The Little Boy Found' by William Blake (from Songs of Innocence, 1791)
'The Little Boy Found' by William Blake (from Songs of Innocence, 1791)
Poems for Fathers: 'If' by Rudyard Kipling (1910)
'If' by Rudyard Kipling (1910)
'If' by Rudyard Kipling (1910)
'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost
'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost (1920)
'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost (1920)
Halloween Poems
A collection of classic Halloween poems, including a selection from Shakespeare's Macbeth, the traditional ballad 'Tam Lin' & poems by Lord Brooke Fulke Greville, Robert Herrick, Robert Burns, George Gordon Lord Byron, Edgar Allan Poe & Christina Rossetti.
A collection of classic Halloween poems, including a selection from Shakespeare's Macbeth, the traditional ballad 'Tam Lin' & poems by Lord Brooke Fulke Greville, Robert Herrick, Robert Burns, George Gordon Lord Byron, Edgar Allan Poe & Christina Rossetti.
Youth Speaks
James Kass talks about reading, writing, hearing and performing poetry with teenagers in Youth Speaks (the project he founded with the tagline 'the next generation can speak for itself') and the National Youth Poetry Slam.
James Kass talks about reading, writing, hearing and performing poetry with teenagers in Youth Speaks (the project he founded with the tagline 'the next generation can speak for itself') and the National Youth Poetry Slam.
Summer Poems: 'Sumer Is Icumen In' (traditional English round, c. 1250)
'Sumer Is Icumen In' (traditional English round, c. 1250)
'Sumer Is Icumen In' (traditional English round, c. 1250)
Love Poems: Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare (1609)
Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare (1609)
Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare (1609)
The Worst Poem of All Time
We invite you to partake in what we consider the absolute freefall of the bottomless barrel, the worst poem of all time: William Topaz McGonagall’s “The Tay Bridge Disaster.”
We invite you to partake in what we consider the absolute freefall of the bottomless barrel, the worst poem of all time: William Topaz McGonagall’s “The Tay Bridge Disaster.”
Poems for Fathers: 'A Prayer for My Daughter' by William Butler Yeats
'A Prayer for My Daughter' by William Butler Yeats (1921)
'A Prayer for My Daughter' by William Butler Yeats (1921)
Poems for Fathers: 'Anecdote for Fathers' by William Wordsworth (1798)
'Anecdote for Fathers' by William Wordsworth (1798)
'Anecdote for Fathers' by William Wordsworth (1798)
Summer Poems: 'The Barefoot Boy' by John Greenleaf Whittier (1855)
'The Barefoot Boy' by John Greenleaf Whittier (1855)
'The Barefoot Boy' by John Greenleaf Whittier (1855)
Library: Dickinson Poems
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by Emily Dickinson, in chronological order.
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by Emily Dickinson, in chronological order.
Love Poems: Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1850)
Sonnet 43 from Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1850)
Sonnet 43 from Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1850)
Library: Frost Poems
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by Robert Frost, in chronological order.
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by Robert Frost, in chronological order.
Summer Poems: 'The Schoolboy' by William Blake (from Songs of Experience, 1794)
'The Schoolboy' by William Blake (from Songs of Experience, 1794)
'The Schoolboy' by William Blake (from Songs of Experience, 1794)
Poems of War: 'Iron' (1916) & 'Grass' (1918) by Carl Sandburg
'Iron' (1916) & 'Grass' (1918) by Carl Sandburg
'Iron' (1916) & 'Grass' (1918) by Carl Sandburg
Poems After the Attack
An anthology of poems written during the 'War on Terrorism' after the September 11, 2001 attack on America, from poets around the Net & in the About Poetry Forum.
An anthology of poems written during the 'War on Terrorism' after the September 11, 2001 attack on America, from poets around the Net & in the About Poetry Forum.
Poems for Mothers: 'There was a Child went Forth' by Walt Whitman (1891)
'There was a Child went Forth' by Walt Whitman
'There was a Child went Forth' by Walt Whitman
Poems of War: 'Aftermath' by Siegfried Sassoon (1919)
'Aftermath' by Siegfried Sassoon (1919)
'Aftermath' by Siegfried Sassoon (1919)
Summer Poems: 'Fair Summer Droops' from Summer's Last Will and Testament, by Thomas Nashe (1600)
'Fair Summer Droops' from Summer's Last Will and Testament, by Thomas Nashe (1600)
'Fair Summer Droops' from Summer's Last Will and Testament, by Thomas Nashe (1600)
A Thank You Poem from Against All Odds - Poetry - 2/8/2000
Asante, written by Ann Biersteker for the poets who shared their work at the Against All Odds Conference in Asmara, Eritrea, from your About.com guides, Bob Holman & Margery Snyder.
Asante, written by Ann Biersteker for the poets who shared their work at the Against All Odds Conference in Asmara, Eritrea, from your About.com guides, Bob Holman & Margery Snyder.
Aint it time for a poem? How About "Sex With a Famous Poet"?
The best Poem of the Day online is dished up by Anastasios Kozaitis... and Denise Duhamel is one of poetry's most raucous unstoppable young voices.
The best Poem of the Day online is dished up by Anastasios Kozaitis... and Denise Duhamel is one of poetry's most raucous unstoppable young voices.
Library: Wordsworth Poems
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by William Wordsworth, in chronological order.
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by William Wordsworth, in chronological order.
Poems of War: 'Not to Keep' by Robert Frost (1917)
'Not to Keep' by Robert Frost (1917)
'Not to Keep' by Robert Frost (1917)
Halloween Poems: 'Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti
'Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti (1862)
'Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti (1862)
Poems of War: 'Nefarious War' by Li Po (c. 750)
'Nefarious War,' by Li Po (c. 750)
'Nefarious War,' by Li Po (c. 750)
Library: Yeats Poems
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by William Butler Yeats, in chronological order.
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by William Butler Yeats, in chronological order.
Fibonacci Poems
All you need to know about Fibonacci poems, a new math-based poetic form that is proliferating on the Internet, by Georgia Luna Smith Faust.
All you need to know about Fibonacci poems, a new math-based poetic form that is proliferating on the Internet, by Georgia Luna Smith Faust.
Villanelle
The villanelle defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
The villanelle defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
Poetry Picks: Best Books 2005
2005 was truly a great year in poetry, and your Guide Bob Holman has a long list of sure fires, must reads, books that sing, dance & change you, offered here in no particular order.
2005 was truly a great year in poetry, and your Guide Bob Holman has a long list of sure fires, must reads, books that sing, dance & change you, offered here in no particular order.
Poems for Spring: 'Spring' (song from Love's Labors Lost) by William Shakespeare (1598)
'Spring' (song from Love's Labors Lost) by William Shakespeare (1598)
'Spring' (song from Love's Labors Lost) by William Shakespeare (1598)
Poems for Fathers: 'On the Beach at Night' by Walt Whitman (1900)
'On the Beach at Night' by Walt Whitman (from Leaves of Grass, 1900)
'On the Beach at Night' by Walt Whitman (from Leaves of Grass, 1900)
Sestina
The sestina defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
The sestina defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
AUSTRALIA Poetry Currents
The latest poetry news from Chris Mansell, Australia correspondent for the About Poetry Museletter.
The latest poetry news from Chris Mansell, Australia correspondent for the About Poetry Museletter.
Poems for Fathers: 'The Child Is Father To the Man' by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)
'The Child Is Father To the Man' by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)
'The Child Is Father To the Man' by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)
Halloween Poems: 'Halloween' by Robert Burns
'Halloween' by Robert Burns (1785)
'Halloween' by Robert Burns (1785)
About Poetry - MUSELETTER #55
Translating Ginsberg's Queer Shoulder, Victor's Soapbox, Tooting the Horn for Florida, Philly Fringe Festival & more: reports from Victor Infante (Orange County/Southern California), Leonardo Della Rocca (Miami/Florida) & Marj Hahne (Philadelphia area), dateline 11/13/00.
Translating Ginsberg's Queer Shoulder, Victor's Soapbox, Tooting the Horn for Florida, Philly Fringe Festival & more: reports from Victor Infante (Orange County/Southern California), Leonardo Della Rocca (Miami/Florida) & Marj Hahne (Philadelphia area), dateline 11/13/00.
Poetry - HowTos
An index of HowTos for the Poetry guide site.
An index of HowTos for the Poetry guide site.
Poems for Fathers: 'A Prayer for My Son' by William Butler Yeats
'A Prayer for My Son' by William Butler Yeats (1928)
'A Prayer for My Son' by William Butler Yeats (1928)
Haiku
Haiku defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
Haiku defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
Waka Waka Bang Splat! The World's First Internet Special-Characters Poem
A poem created entirely of special characters -- it can only be properly appreciated by reading it out loud.
A poem created entirely of special characters -- it can only be properly appreciated by reading it out loud.
William Wordsworth
A reference page on British Romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850), whose theory of poetry began the Romantic movement in English poetry at the end of the 18th century, and whose poems immortalize the sublime landscapes of his beloved Lake District.
A reference page on British Romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850), whose theory of poetry began the Romantic movement in English poetry at the end of the 18th century, and whose poems immortalize the sublime landscapes of his beloved Lake District.
Poets Work
Here’s a journey into the dailiness of the lives of the poets -- how do we make a living? Adapted from a piece by Robert Phillips first published in The Associated Writing Programs’ Chronicle of December 1997, who granted permission.
Here’s a journey into the dailiness of the lives of the poets -- how do we make a living? Adapted from a piece by Robert Phillips first published in The Associated Writing Programs’ Chronicle of December 1997, who granted permission.
Poems for Mothers: 'Sonnets are full of love' by Christina Rossetti (1881)
'Sonnets are full of love' by Christina Rossetti
'Sonnets are full of love' by Christina Rossetti
Poems of War: 'On Being Asked for a War Poem' by William Butler Yeats (1928)
'On Being Asked for a War Poem' by William Butler Yeats (1928)
'On Being Asked for a War Poem' by William Butler Yeats (1928)
Once Again, Poetry Is Dead?
Victor Infante offers a rebuttal to Bruce Wexler's article in Newsweek, 'Poetry Is Dead, Does Anybody Really Care?'
Victor Infante offers a rebuttal to Bruce Wexler's article in Newsweek, 'Poetry Is Dead, Does Anybody Really Care?'
Christmas Poems
A collection of classic Christmas poems, by Robert Herrick, Clement Clark Moore (or Major Henry Livingston, Jr.), Emily Dickinson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Christina Rossetti, G.K. Chesterton, Sara Teasdale, Walter de la Mare, Thomas Hardy & Robert Frost.
A collection of classic Christmas poems, by Robert Herrick, Clement Clark Moore (or Major Henry Livingston, Jr.), Emily Dickinson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Christina Rossetti, G.K. Chesterton, Sara Teasdale, Walter de la Mare, Thomas Hardy & Robert Frost.
Pablo Neruda
A reference page on Pablo Neruda (1904 - 1973), Nobel laureate, diplomat, exile & returned native son of Chile, most respected & beloved Latin American poet, often called “the people’s poet.”
A reference page on Pablo Neruda (1904 - 1973), Nobel laureate, diplomat, exile & returned native son of Chile, most respected & beloved Latin American poet, often called “the people’s poet.”
About Poetry - MUSELETTER #38
Reports from Bob Redmond (Seattle/Pacific Northwest), Shann Palmer (Virginia/District of Columbia), Jason Pettus (Chicago/Midwest) & Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz (New York), dateline 7/4/00.
Reports from Bob Redmond (Seattle/Pacific Northwest), Shann Palmer (Virginia/District of Columbia), Jason Pettus (Chicago/Midwest) & Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz (New York), dateline 7/4/00.
'Tam O'Shanter' by Robert Burns (1791)
'Tam O'Shanter' by Robert Burns (1791)
'Tam O'Shanter' by Robert Burns (1791)
Poetry Picks: The Best of 2005
Bob Holman’s sure fires for the great year of poetry 2005, in no particular order -- Ana Castillo, Adrian Castro, Forrest Gander, Ange Mlinko, poems for Ken Saro-Wiwa...
Bob Holman’s sure fires for the great year of poetry 2005, in no particular order -- Ana Castillo, Adrian Castro, Forrest Gander, Ange Mlinko, poems for Ken Saro-Wiwa...
Poems for Spring: 'Spring' by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)
'Spring' by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)
'Spring' by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)
'Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey' by William Wordsworth
'Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey' by William Wordsworth (1798)
'Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey' by William Wordsworth (1798)
SemiCento, A Stitched-Together Poem
When the Frankfurt Buchmesse turns fifty, and Bob Holman is commissioned to write the occasional verse, voila! -- a SemiCento... the poem gathers poets from all cultures and times to say Happy Birthday, What Is a Poem?
When the Frankfurt Buchmesse turns fifty, and Bob Holman is commissioned to write the occasional verse, voila! -- a SemiCento... the poem gathers poets from all cultures and times to say Happy Birthday, What Is a Poem?
Poems from Poetry Africa 2003: 'Sisters' by Lebogang Mashile
'Sisters' a poem by Lebogang Mashile, gathered by Bob Holman at the Poetry Africa 2003 conference
'Sisters' a poem by Lebogang Mashile, gathered by Bob Holman at the Poetry Africa 2003 conference
Poems of War: 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1854)
'The Charge of the Light Brigade' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1854)
'The Charge of the Light Brigade' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1854)
The InterBoard Poetry Competition: How It Works
The About Poetry Forum is one of six original online poetry forums participating in the InterBoard Poetry Competition, founded in 2000. This page is a reference summary of the rules, with links to the IBPC home site, participating boards, and background information on the IBPC judges.
The About Poetry Forum is one of six original online poetry forums participating in the InterBoard Poetry Competition, founded in 2000. This page is a reference summary of the rules, with links to the IBPC home site, participating boards, and background information on the IBPC judges.
Poems for Spring: 'A Prayer in Spring' by Robert Frost (1915)
'A Prayer in Spring' by Robert Frost (1915)
'A Prayer in Spring' by Robert Frost (1915)
Why I Love Making
Mike Hazard, artist-in-residence at the Center for International Education in St. Paul, Minnesota, writes about making video poems & poetic videos even though they drive him crazy.
Mike Hazard, artist-in-residence at the Center for International Education in St. Paul, Minnesota, writes about making video poems & poetic videos even though they drive him crazy.
'The Sick Rose' by William Blake
'The Sick Rose' by William Blake (from Songs of Experience, 1794)
'The Sick Rose' by William Blake (from Songs of Experience, 1794)
Paul Hunter interview
Paul Nelson, founder of Global Voices Radio & the Pacific Northwest Spoken Word Laboratory (SPLAB!), interviews Paul Hunter on his new collection, Breaking Ground.
Paul Nelson, founder of Global Voices Radio & the Pacific Northwest Spoken Word Laboratory (SPLAB!), interviews Paul Hunter on his new collection, Breaking Ground.
New Site Feature: Poetry MP3 Picks
Introducing a new weekly feature at About Poetry: our choice of the best online poetry recordings for your listening pleasure.
Introducing a new weekly feature at About Poetry: our choice of the best online poetry recordings for your listening pleasure.
Winter Poems: 'Blow, blow thou winter wind' from As You Like It by William Shakespeare
'Blow, blow thou winter wind' from As You Like It by William Shakespeare
'Blow, blow thou winter wind' from As You Like It by William Shakespeare
Beowulf, X. Beowulf's Contest with Breca, The Feast
Old English text of the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf (c. 1100), with modern translation by Francis B. Gummere (1910), Part X. Beowulf's Contest with Breca, The Feast
Old English text of the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf (c. 1100), with modern translation by Francis B. Gummere (1910), Part X. Beowulf's Contest with Breca, The Feast
Library: E.B. Browning Poems
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, in chronological order.
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, in chronological order.
About.com Poetry - MUSELETTER #22
Reports from Stazja McFadyen (Austin/Texas), Cristin Aptowicz (New York/Northeast) & Shann Palmer (Virginia/District of Columbia, dateline 3/12/00.
Reports from Stazja McFadyen (Austin/Texas), Cristin Aptowicz (New York/Northeast) & Shann Palmer (Virginia/District of Columbia, dateline 3/12/00.
Poems of War: 'In Time of 'The Breaking of Nations'' & 'The Man He Killed' by Thomas Hardy (1915)
'In Time of 'The Breaking of Nations'' & 'The Man He Killed' by Thomas Hardy (1915)
'In Time of 'The Breaking of Nations'' & 'The Man He Killed' by Thomas Hardy (1915)
Emily Dickinson
A reference page on Emily Dickinson, reclusive 19th century poet who became known as the 'Belle of Amherst' and an iconic influence on American poetry after the posthumous publication of her work.
A reference page on Emily Dickinson, reclusive 19th century poet who became known as the 'Belle of Amherst' and an iconic influence on American poetry after the posthumous publication of her work.
Spring Poems: 'Spring, the Sweet Spring' from Summer's Last Will and Testament, by Thomas Nashe (1600)
'Spring, the Sweet Spring' from Summer's Last Will and Testament, by Thomas Nashe (1600)
'Spring, the Sweet Spring' from Summer's Last Will and Testament, by Thomas Nashe (1600)
Love Poems: 'Love' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1799)
'Love' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1799)
'Love' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1799)
'When You Are Old' by William Butler Yeats
'When You Are Old' by William Butler Yeats (1893)
'When You Are Old' by William Butler Yeats (1893)
Crossing Borders with Naomi Shihab Nye
Poems need no passports. There must be a Universal Artist Passport, with no borders. Naomi Shihab Nye is the First Citizen of the World of Poetry!
Poems need no passports. There must be a Universal Artist Passport, with no borders. Naomi Shihab Nye is the First Citizen of the World of Poetry!
American Epic Poems...
We proclaimed Frank Stanford’s The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You, 'the great US epic of the last half of the 20th century' and were immediately accosted: 'It’s the ONLY epic poem!' Wrong!, we said. Here are more epics, recommended by your Poetry Guides.
We proclaimed Frank Stanford’s The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You, 'the great US epic of the last half of the 20th century' and were immediately accosted: 'It’s the ONLY epic poem!' Wrong!, we said. Here are more epics, recommended by your Poetry Guides.
LOS ANGELES/SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Museletter #103
News bits from Larry Jaffe, Los Angeles/Southern California correspondent for the About Poetry Museletter #103, dateline 3.24.2002.
News bits from Larry Jaffe, Los Angeles/Southern California correspondent for the About Poetry Museletter #103, dateline 3.24.2002.
Charles Simic
A reference page on Charles Simic, acclaimed Serbian-American poet who did not speak English until he was 15, named U.S. Poet Laureate in 2007.
A reference page on Charles Simic, acclaimed Serbian-American poet who did not speak English until he was 15, named U.S. Poet Laureate in 2007.
'The Lamb' by William Blake
'The Lamb' by William Blake (from Songs of Innocence, 1789)
'The Lamb' by William Blake (from Songs of Innocence, 1789)
June Jordan
A reference page on June Jordan (1936 - 2002), poet, activist, political essayist, teacher at UC Berkeley & founder of Poetry for the People.
A reference page on June Jordan (1936 - 2002), poet, activist, political essayist, teacher at UC Berkeley & founder of Poetry for the People.
Love Poems: Sonnet 14 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1850)
Sonnet 14 from Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1850)
Sonnet 14 from Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1850)
Poems for Peace: 'Hands on a Gun'
Rochelle Mass' contribution to the About Poetry anthology of peace poems
Rochelle Mass' contribution to the About Poetry anthology of peace poems
Poems for Peace: 'Peace Prayer'
Richard Burley's contribution to the About Poetry anthology of peace poems
Richard Burley's contribution to the About Poetry anthology of peace poems
Robert Frost
A reference page on Robert Frost, celebrated American poet whose work is rooted in New England farm life, combining a modernist sensibility and sense of language in traditional verse forms.
A reference page on Robert Frost, celebrated American poet whose work is rooted in New England farm life, combining a modernist sensibility and sense of language in traditional verse forms.
'The Second Coming' by William Butler Yeats
'The Second Coming' by William Butler Yeats (1920)
'The Second Coming' by William Butler Yeats (1920)
'Address To the Devil' by Robert Burns (1786)
'Address To the Devil' by Robert Burns (1786)
'Address To the Devil' by Robert Burns (1786)
Direct from the Rotterdam International Poetry Festival: Charles Simic's "Defense of Poetry" - POETRY - 07/15/97
'Life would be perfectly pointless if the poets didn't tell you that all your loves and pains are significant and intelligible and you should not fret as long as the poets are there doing the worrying for you, night and day,' from your About.com Guides, Bob Holman and Margery Snyder.
'Life would be perfectly pointless if the poets didn't tell you that all your loves and pains are significant and intelligible and you should not fret as long as the poets are there doing the worrying for you, night and day,' from your About.com Guides, Bob Holman and Margery Snyder.
An Open Letter to Any Would-Be Terrorists from Naomi Shihab Nye
Find another way to live. Don't expect others to be like you. Read Rumi. Read Arabic poetry. Poetry humanizes us in a way that news, or even religion, has a harder time doing...
Find another way to live. Don't expect others to be like you. Read Rumi. Read Arabic poetry. Poetry humanizes us in a way that news, or even religion, has a harder time doing...
About Poetry - MUSELETTER #58
Letter from the Autobahn, Larry Blacktop, Sweet Taste of Lightning, Roni Horn's Still Water, Philly Update & more: reports from Larry Jaffe (Los Angeles/Las Vegas/Oklahoma), Ian Ferrier (Vancouver/Montreal), Gary Glazner (New Mexico/Southwest) & Marj Hahne (Philadelphia area), dateline 12/14/00.
Letter from the Autobahn, Larry Blacktop, Sweet Taste of Lightning, Roni Horn's Still Water, Philly Update & more: reports from Larry Jaffe (Los Angeles/Las Vegas/Oklahoma), Ian Ferrier (Vancouver/Montreal), Gary Glazner (New Mexico/Southwest) & Marj Hahne (Philadelphia area), dateline 12/14/00.
Winter Poems: 'Winter: A Dirge' by Robert Burns (1781)
'Winter: A Dirge' by Robert Burns (1781)
'Winter: A Dirge' by Robert Burns (1781)
'This is my letter to the World' (#441) by Emily Dickinson
'This is my letter to the World' (#441) by Emily Dickinson
'This is my letter to the World' (#441) by Emily Dickinson
Langston Hughes
A reference page on Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), unofficial poet laureate of Black American life & culture, radical democrat at the center of the Harlem Renaissance.
A reference page on Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), unofficial poet laureate of Black American life & culture, radical democrat at the center of the Harlem Renaissance.
'Among School Children' by William Butler Yeats
'Among School Children' by William Butler Yeats (1928)
'Among School Children' by William Butler Yeats (1928)
Limerick
The limerick defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
The limerick defined, in our glossary of poetic forms.
In Memory of Gwendolyn Brooks
Patricia Smith and Quraysh Ali Lansana remember Gwendolyn Brooks in two poems and an overheard conversation.
Patricia Smith and Quraysh Ali Lansana remember Gwendolyn Brooks in two poems and an overheard conversation.
Poems for Fathers: 'The Little Boy Lost' by William Blake (1791)
'The Little Boy Lost' by William Blake (from Songs of Innocence, 1791)
'The Little Boy Lost' by William Blake (from Songs of Innocence, 1791)
Poems for Fathers: 'High from the earth I heard a bird;' (#1723) by Emily Dickinson
'High from the earth I heard a bird;' (#1723) by Emily Dickinson
'High from the earth I heard a bird;' (#1723) by Emily Dickinson
Library: Blake Poems
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by William Blake, in chronological order.
Our library of poem texts – selected poems by William Blake, in chronological order.
William Butler Yeats
A reference page on mystical/historical Irish poet and dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939), a towering figure in 20th century literature in English, master of traditional verse forms and at the same time idol of the modernist poets who followed him.
A reference page on mystical/historical Irish poet and dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939), a towering figure in 20th century literature in English, master of traditional verse forms and at the same time idol of the modernist poets who followed him.
Poems of War: 'I Have a Rendezvous with Death' by Alan Seeger (1917)
'I Have a Rendezvous with Death' by Alan Seeger (1917)
'I Have a Rendezvous with Death' by Alan Seeger (1917)
Poems for Spring: 'Lines Written in Early Spring' by William Wordsworth (1798)
'Lines Written in Early Spring' by William Wordsworth (1798)
'Lines Written in Early Spring' by William Wordsworth (1798)
To a Skylark by William Wordsworth
To a Skylark by William Wordsworth (1805)
To a Skylark by William Wordsworth (1805)