Famous Poems - Page 2

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  1. 21. A Blade Of Grass

    This poem employs personification to imbue a blade of grass with human-like qualities. The grass becomes a symbol of empathy and compassion. The poet contrasts the seemingly emotionless stream with the grass's ability to feel and respond to the water's implied sorrow. The poem explores the idea of empathetic projection, as the grass takes on the emotional burden of the stream.

    Famous Poem

    A blade of grass is bending
    Above the moaning stream,
    In sympathy is blending
    Where troubles only seem.

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  3. 22. The Star-Spangled Banner

    "The Star-Spangled Banner," the US National Anthem, was composed by Francis Scott Key, who was deeply moved by the sight of the American flag soaring victoriously over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Key quickly penned the initial verse on a letter's back, capturing his emotions. He meticulously crafted four verses that embody American resilience and pride, using rhetorical questions and vivid imagery to engage readers emotionally and visually. Repetition, like "O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave," creates a rhythmic unity, while symbolism, such as the "star-spangled banner," signifies the enduring American spirit. The poem's progression mirrors the nation's journey, and exclamation marks intensify its urgency. Through these techniques, Key's anthem becomes a powerful expression of history, unity, and values.

    Famous Poem

    • By Francis Scott Key

    O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
    What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
    Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
    O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?

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  5. 23. Beat! Beat! Drums!

    Walt Whitman was known as the founding father of American poetry. This poem was first published in 1861, the year the Civil War began. Although this poem depicts life during wartime in the 1860s, it shows a broad picture of how war changes the everyday lives of communities. No matter the time period, war impacts people in many ways.

    Famous Poem

    Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow!
    Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force,
    Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation,
    Into the school where the scholar is studying,

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  6. 24. Theme For English B

    This poem, published in 1949, is told from the perspective of a young black student who, through a class assignment, takes a look at how he relates and doesn’t relate to his white professor. He is searching for how his experiences can compare to those of his white classmates. However, it goes beyond the issue of race. Any human who has struggled with identity can connect with this poem written by an influential leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

    Famous Poem

    The instructor said,

    Go home and write
    a page tonight.

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    Featured Shared Story

    This poem!! I felt a tug in my heart because it was truly a story of truth from your heart! Very well expressed, and I can't say but one thing more. If we keep our ears open we learn from...

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  7. 25. The Poet

    Raymond Garfield Dandridge (1883–1930) was an American poet from Cincinnati, Ohio. Despite being affected by partial paralysis in 1911, which left him bedridden for the remainder of his life, he taught himself to write with his left hand. Influenced by Paul Laurence Dunbar, he often wrote in African-American dialect. In "The Poet," we glimpse the struggles of a poet who must juggle his creative dreams with manual labor to survive. Despite meager pay and criticism from editors, he perseveres, aware that his true worth may only be recognized after his time. This poem sheds light on the challenges faced by poets and the harsh realities they confront while pursuing writing poetry.

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    • By Raymond Garfield Dandridge

    The poet sits and dreams and dreams;
    He scans his verse; he probes his themes.

    Then turns to stretch or stir about,

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  8. 26. What Are Heavy?

    Christina Rossetti reflects on things that are heavy, brief, frail, and deep. She shares both concrete items and metaphorical ones, whether it’s a state of mind or moment in time. It’s a poem that makes the reader reflect on the meaning of life.

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    What are heavy? Sea-sand and sorrow;
    What are brief? Today and tomorrow;
    What are frail? Spring blossoms and youth;
    What are deep? The ocean and truth.

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    It’s pure perfection, this poem. It couldn't have been said any better and yet be any more poetic and precise. Beautiful.

    This poem shall stand the test of time,
    For it's got so much...

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  9. 27. America The Beautiful

    Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to write this poem while on a trip to Colorado Springs in 1893. When she reached the top of Pikes Peak, she had this to say. “All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse." The first version of “America the Beautiful” was published in a weekly journal, The Congregationalist, on July 4, 1895. Revisions were made in 1904 and then again in 1913 to become the version we know today. It became a patriotic song sung to Samuel A. Ward’s tune “Materna."

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    • By Katharine Lee Bates

    O beautiful for spacious skies,
    For amber waves of grain,
    For purple mountain majesties
    Above the fruited plain!

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    • Rating 4.09
  10. 28. Life

    In life, we often look too far into the future or linger too long on the past that we miss what’s right in front of us. No matter where our path leads, let’s find joy in the moment. Let’s enjoy all the things that come our way. Famous poet Henry van Dyke (1852-1933) was a preacher for nearly 20 years, and he was known as one of the best preachers in New York City.

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    Let me but live my life from year to year,
    With forward face and unreluctant soul;
    Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
    Not mourning for the things that disappear

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    • Rating 4.00

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