Tag Archives: american poets

10 of the Best Robert Frost Quotations

Robert Frost is one of my favourite poets, so I was pleased to see this post on the site Interesting Literature, https://interestingliterature.com/2022/07/best-robert-frost-quotes/

Insanity

“Poet laureate Amanda Gorman stole the show at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration on January 20 when she read her powerful poem, The Hill We Climb. Now, it’s being translated into a number of foreign languages — and not without controversy.
Last Friday, Marieke Lucas Rijnveld, the writer chosen to translate Gorman’s work into Dutch, declined to take on the assignment following criticism that she was not Black.” https://www.dw.com/en/amanda-gormans-dutch-translator-steps-down/a-56754197

The world grows ever more insane!

“I Noticed People Disappeared”, by Emily Dickinson

I noticed people disappeared,
When but a little child–
Supposed they visited remote,
Or settled regions wild.

Now know I they both visited
And settled regions wild,
But did because they died–a fact
Withheld the little child!

“Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson

“Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.
And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
“Good-morning,” and he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.
So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head”.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Cory).

“There Is No Frigate Like A Book” By Emily Dickinson

A poem by the 19th century American poet, Emily Dickinson.

There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

Look Back On Time With Kindly Eyes By Emily Dickinson

I came across the below poem while browsing through a recently acquired collection of the poems of Emily Dickinson.

Look back on time with kindly eyes,
He doubtless did his best;
How softly sinks his trembling sun
In human nature’s west!

Papa Above! By Emily Dickinson

Papa above!

Regard a Mouse

O’erpowered by the Cat!

Reserve within thy kingdom

A “Mansion” for the Rat!

 

Snug in seraphic Cupboards

To nibble all the day

While unsuspecting Cycles

Wheel solemnly away!

Poet Charles Bukowski’s Last Poetry Reading

Poet Charles Bukowski’s last poetry reading, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB6IyLTvB7M&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs). The event contains much bawdiness interspersed with the odd poem. If you enjoy Bukowski’s work the performance is worth watching, however much of the performance consists of exchanges between Bukowski and the audience, rather than the poet reading his poetry.

Nobody Knows This Little Rose By Emily Dickinson

The below poem by the American poet, Emily Dickinson is deceptive in it’s simplicity. The final 2 lines arrest the attention of the reader,

 

“Ah Little Rose — how easy

For such as thee to die!”.

 

Nobody Knows This Little Rose By Emily Dickinson

 

Nobody knows this little Rose —

It might a pilgrim be

Did I not take it from the ways

And lift it up to thee.

Only a Bee will miss it —

Only a Butterfly,

Hastening from far journey —

On its breast to lie —

Only a Bird will wonder —

Only a Breeze will sigh —

Ah Little Rose — how easy

For such as thee to die!