Dictionary Poems

LIKE brooms of steelThe Snow and WindHad swept the Winter Street,The House was hooked,The Sun sent outFaint Deputies of heat–Where rode the BirdThe Silence tiedHis ample, plodding Steed,The Apple in the cellar snugWas all the one that played. – LIKE brooms of steel by Emily Dickinson

Hush’d be the camps to-day,And soldiers let us drape our war-worn weapons,And each with musing soul retire to celebrate,Our dear commander’s death. No more for him life’s stormy conflicts,Nor victory, nor defeat–no more time’s dark events,Charging like ceaseless clouds across the sky.But sing poet in our name, Sing of the love we bore him–because you, … Continued

A lady red upon the hill Her annual secret keeps;A lady white within the field In placid lily sleeps! The tidy breezes with their brooms Sweep vale, and hill, and tree!Prithee, my pretty housewives! Who may expected be? The neighbors do not yet suspect! The woods exchange a smile —Orchard, and buttercup, and bird — … Continued

Night funeralIn Harlem: Where did they getThem two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay–His insurance lapsed the other day–Yet they got a satin boxfor his head to lay. Night funeralIn Harlem: Who was it sentThat wreath of flowers? Them flowers camefrom that poor boy’s friends–They’ll want flowers, too,When they meet their ends. Night … Continued

I do not love you except because I love you;I go from loving to not loving you,From waiting to not waiting for youMy heart moves from cold to fire. I love you only because it’s you the one I love;I hate you deeply, and hating youBend to you, and the measure of my changing love … Continued

Soon shall the winter’s foil be here;Soon shall these icy ligatures unbind and melt–A little while,And air, soil, wave, suffused shall be in softness, bloom and growth–a thousand forms shall riseFrom these dead clods and chills as from low burial graves. Thine eyes, ears–all thy best attributes–all that takes cognizance of natural beauty,Shall wake and … Continued

First time he kissed me, he but only kissedThe fingers of this hand wherewith I write;And ever since, it grew more clean and white.Slow to world-greetings, quick with its O, list,When the angels speak. A ring of amethystI could not wear here, plainer to my sight,Than that first kiss. The second passed in heightThe first, … Continued

Beautiful city, the centre and crater of European confusion, O you with your passionate shriek for the rights of an equal ; ; humanity, How often your Re-volution has proven but E-volution Roll’d again back on itself in the tides of a civic insanity! – Beautiful City by Lord Alfred Tennyson

I THOUGHT no more was neededYouth to polongThan dumb-bell and foilTo keep the body young. O who could have foretoldThat the heart grows old? Though I have many words,What woman’s satisfied,I am no longer faintBecause at her side? O who could have foretoldThat the heart grows old? I have not lost desireBut the heart that … Continued

Democracy will not comeToday, this year Nor everThrough compromise and fear. I have as much right As the other fellow has To standOn my two feet And own the land. I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course.Tomorrow is another day.I do not need my freedom when I’m dead.I cannot live … Continued