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5: Poetry Readings and Responses

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    • 5.1: Ezra Pound, Hugh Selwyn Mauberley, 1920
      This page presents a collection of poems that delve into the artist's struggle in a modern context, addressing a decline in cultural values and the superficiality of contemporary art. The work critiques the demand for immediacy, contrasting it with traditional depth. Themes of disillusionment, mortality, and the quest for beauty are prevalent, as the speaker reflects on the impact of beauty and the passage of time.
    • 5.2: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Selected Works, 1855
      This page presents a diverse collection of poems that explore profound themes such as nature, love, memory, and the passage of time. The verses capture the beauty and sorrow inherent in life, reflecting on introspection, loss, and the interconnectedness of human experiences. They emphasize the fleeting nature of existence, the struggle between joy and grief, and the solace found in poetic expression.
    • 5.3: Theodore Roethke, “My Papa’s Waltz,” 1961
      This page introduces Theodore Roethke, a significant American poet celebrated for his introspective and rhythmic poetry rich in natural imagery. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1954 for "The Waking" and is noted for works like "Words for the Wind" and "The Far Field." Additionally, the page includes links to his poem "My Papa’s Waltz" and credits the content contributors.
    • 5.4: Reader-response to “My Papa’s Waltz”
    • 5.5: Christina Rossetti, “Goblin Market,” 1862
      This page discusses "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti, detailing contributor information and attribution. It explains that the work can be listened to or downloaded, with specific access instructions. Additionally, the text notes that it is licensed under Creative Commons, permitting non-commercial use and prohibiting derivatives.
    • 5.6: William Shakespeare, Sonnets, 1609
      This page delves into the intertwined themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality through poetic reflections. The speakers grapple with the complexities of affection, highlighting the inevitability of aging, the pain of unrequited love, and the enduring nature of true emotions. They acknowledge societal perceptions and the transient essence of beauty, asserting that love and artistic expression can achieve immortality.
    • 5.7: Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Ode to the West Wind,” 1891
      This page offers details on accessing a recording of "Ode to the West Wind" by Percy Bysshe Shelley, highlighting contributors like the author and performer. The recording can be listened to or downloaded from LoudLit.org and is licensed under a Creative Commons attribution.
    • 5.8: Phillis Wheatley, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, 1773
      This page contains a collection of poems by Phillis Wheatley exploring themes of religion, morality, grief, and the human experience. It addresses mortality and hope through biblical allegories, personal reflections, and tributes to the deceased. The poems emphasize divine power, the beauty of nature, and the importance of faith in overcoming sorrow.
    • 5.9: Walt Whitman, “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer,” 1865
      This page discusses Walt Whitman, a prominent American poet, essayist, and journalist recognized for his free verse style and the evolution from transcendentalism to realism. His key work, "Leaves of Grass," published in 1855, aimed to resonate with everyday individuals and evolved through his lifetime, despite facing controversy.
    • 5.10: William Carlos Williams, “The Red Wheelbarrow,” 1962
      This page discusses William Carlos Williams, a notable modernist and imagist poet famous for "The Red Wheelbarrow." He was one of the four major American poets from the late 19th century, alongside Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, and H.D. Additionally, Williams had a distinguished career in medicine, becoming chief of pediatrics at Passaic General Hospital in New Jersey, which commemorates him with a memorial plaque.
    • 5.11: Maya Angelou, “On the Pulse of Morning,” 1993
      This page discusses Maya Angelou's inaugural poem, "On the Pulse of the Morning," delivered on January 12, 1993. The poem emphasizes themes of unity, hope, and renewal, calling for diverse voices to rise above darkness. With symbols like the Rock, River, and Tree, it highlights resilience and the need to confront the past while embracing the future. Angelou encourages a collective vision for change, fostering belonging and shared humanity.
    • 5.12: Additional Poems
      This page provides a collection of various poems from notable poets including Toi Derricotte, Pat Mora, e e cummings, Sharon Olds, Wislawa Szymborska, and Bob Dylan, accessible through platforms like Poetry Foundation and Poets.org. The content is shared under a CC BY license through the Extended Learning Institute of Northern Virginia Community College.
    • 5.13: Billy Collins, “The Lanyard,” 2007
      This page discusses a video featuring three poems by former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, with a focus on "The Lanyard." It includes a brief biography of Collins, noting his accomplishments, such as his tenure as Poet Laureate (2001-2003) and his teaching role at Lehman College and in the MFA program at Stony Brook Southampton. The summary highlights his recognition as a Literary Lion and provides links to the poem and additional resources.
    • 5.14: Emily Dickinson, Poems Series One, 1890
      This page delves into themes of love, nature, mortality, and the human experience through a series of contemplative poems. It reflects on life’s struggles and joys, the transient nature of relationships, and the connection to the spiritual realm. Rich imagery of nature highlights the delicate balance of existence, contrasting joy and sorrow, and exploring the complexities of death and the afterlife.
    • 5.15: Emily Dickinson, “Wild nights – Wild nights!” 1861
      This page discusses Emily Dickinson, an American poet noted for her reclusive nature and extensive body of work, comprising nearly 1,800 poems, though few were published during her lifetime. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, she favored solitude and maintained correspondence with friends. Her eccentric lifestyle, including a fondness for white clothing, did not hinder the impact of her poetry, which continues to be celebrated today.
    • 5.16: Robert Frost, “Acquainted with the Night,” 1923
      This page features Robert Frost's poem "Acquainted with the Night," which delves into solitude and introspection using night imagery. Additionally, it includes a biography that emphasizes Frost's reputation as a key American poet recognized for his authentic depictions of rural life, colloquial language, and deep thematic exploration. He received four Pulitzer Prizes, a Congressional Gold Medal, and was the poet laureate of Vermont in 1961.
    • 5.17: Robert Frost, “The Lockless Door,” 1920
      This page discusses Robert Frost's poem "The Lockless Door," which delves into themes of isolation and longing for change. The speaker, after a prolonged wait, is inspired by a knock to venture outside, symbolizing a desire to break free from confinement. Frost, celebrated for his rural life themes and colloquial style, won four Pulitzer Prizes and served as Vermont's poet laureate.
    • 5.18: Langston Hughes, “Let America Be America Again,” 1935
      This page features Langston Hughes' poem "Let America Be America Again," which expresses a desire for America to live up to its ideals of freedom and equality. It highlights the disillusionment of marginalized groups and critiques America's failure to be a true land of opportunity. Through vivid imagery, Hughes calls for collective action to reclaim liberty and justice, portraying the struggles of the oppressed while advocating for hope and renewal in the nation.
    • 5.19: Edgar Allen Poe, The Complete Poetical Works, 1845
      This page features a collection of poetic works primarily by Edgar Allan Poe, exploring themes of love, loss, beauty, and mortality. The texts include dedications, prefaces, and notable poems such as "The Raven," "The Bells," and "Annabel Lee," showcasing emotional depth through vivid imagery and musicality. The collection reflects on the transient nature of life and love, interweaving existential reflections with haunting narratives.
    • 5.20: Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven,” 1845

    This page titled 5: Poetry Readings and Responses is shared under a Public Domain license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lumen Learning.