"Poetic Wednesday" James Mercer Langston Hughes (1901-1967) is one of the most famous African American poets. Having been disabled by a severe bout of depression, I somehow found this poem comforting - but then, I am weird. (As they say: "Neurotics build castles in the sky, psychotics move in, and psychiatrists charge rent.") TOO … Continue reading “Too Blue” — A Depressing Poem about Depression
"Poetic Wednesday" I wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o’er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the milky way,They stretched in never-ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten … Continue reading “I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud,” Poem in Praise of Daffodils, by William Wordsworth
"Poetic Wednesday" “Vice is a monster of so frightful mienAs to be hated needs but to be seen;Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” ― Alexander Pope, from An Essay on Man (1733-34) Alexander Pope (1688-1744) was an English poet and satirist, and is considered the most prominent poet … Continue reading Poem: “Vice is a Monster.” We “Endure,” then “Pity,” then “Embrace.”
"Poetic Wednesday" Paul Lawrence Dunbar (1872-1906) is one of the most famous African American poets> He was first to gain national recognition. “The Debt” is a poem about the consequences of our choices. We are free to act, but there is always accountability for our actions. Even one momentary lapse in judgement can have a … Continue reading “The Debt.” Poem about Small Mistakes – Big Consequences
"Poetic Wednesday" Jesus healed the blind, deaf, crippled, unclean, and dead, with his “touch.” He could have healed all of them with his voice. But he touched them instead. This is a favorite religious poem. “The worth of a soul” is forever changed by the “Touch of the Master’s Hand. “ Touch of the Master’s … Continue reading “Touch of the Master’s Hand”(Auction of the Old Violin)
"Poetic Wednesday" Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was a lawyer, judge, historian, and playwright. He was also one of Scotland’s best loved poets. “Native Land” is one of my favorite poems because it captures our feelings of patriotism for our “native land.” (Like most poetry, it is better if you read “Native Land” out loud with … Continue reading “Native Land” – A Famous Poem About Patriotism, by Sir Walter Scott
"Poetic Wednesday" As an English major in college, I was required to take a full semester class on Shakespeare. To enhance my study, I listened to recordings of famous actors while I followed along with the text. Sonnet 130 is one of Shakespeare’s most popular. It is satire. The theme is: you don’t need to … Continue reading Shakespeare Sonnet 130 — An “Honest” Tribute to his “Homely” Lover
The London Edition 