Dictionary Poems

Come, I will make the continent indissoluble,I will make the most splendid race the sun ever shone upon,I will make divine magnetic lands, With the love of comrades, With the life-long love of comrades. I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America, and along the shores of the great lakes, … Continued

A heavy heart, Beloved, have I borneFrom year to year until I saw thy face,And sorrow after sorrow took the placeOf all those natural joys as lightly wornAs the stringed pearls, each lifted in its turnBy a beating heart at dance-time. Hopes apaceWere changed to long despairs, till God’s own graceCould scarcely lift above the … Continued

Blind Peter Piper used to playAll up and down the city;I’d often meet him on my way,And throw a coin for pity.But all amid his sparkling tonesHis ear was quick as anyTo catch upon the cobble-stonesThe jingle of my penny. And as upon a day that shoneHe piped a merry measure:How well you play! I … Continued

There is a flower that bees prefer,And butterflies desire;To gain the purple democratThe humming-birds aspire. And whatsoever insect pass,A honey bears awayProportioned to his several dearthAnd her capacity. Her face is rounder than the moon,And ruddier than the gownOf orchis in the pasture,Or rhododendron worn. She doth not wait for June;Before the world is greenHer … Continued

Dark house, by which once more I stand ; ; ; ;Here in the long unlovely street, ; ; ; ;Doors, where my heart was used to beatSo quickly, waiting for a hand,A hand that can be clasp’d no more— ; ; ; ;Behold me, for I cannot sleep, ; ; ; ;And like a … Continued

Because my mouthIs wide with laughterAnd my throatIs deep with song, You do not think I suffer afterI have held my painSo long? Because my mouth Is wide with laughter, You do not hearMy inner cry? Because my feetAre gay with dancing, You do not know I die? – Minstrel Man by Langston Hughes

To thee old cause!Thou peerless, passionate, good cause,Thou stern, remorseless, sweet idea,Deathless throughout the ages, races, lands,After a strange sad war, great war for thee,(I think all war through time was really fought, and ever will be really fought, for thee,)These chants for thee, the eternal march of thee. (A war O soldiers not for … Continued

Oh, it is good to drink and sup,And then beside the kindly fireTo smoke and heap the faggots up,And rest and dream to heart’s desire. Oh, it is good to ride and run,To roam the greenwood wild and free;To hunt, to idle in the sun,To leap into the laughing sea. Oh, it is good with … Continued

PSALM OF THE DAY. A something in a summer’s day,As slow her flambeaux burn away,Which solemnizes me. A something in a summer’s noon, —An azure depth, a wordless tune,Transcending ecstasy. And still within a summer’s nightA something so transporting bright,I clap my hands to see; Then veil my too inspecting face,Lest such a subtle, shimmering … Continued

He was my one and only love;My world was mirror for his face.We were as close as hand and glove,Until he came with smiling graceTo say: ‘We must be wise, my dear.You are the idol of today,But I too plan a proud career,–Let’s kiss and go our way.’ And then he soared to sudden fame,And … Continued