Poetry Readings
languages… acquire an understanding of each other, which,
however partial, is still essential.”
— T.S. Eliot
Most of us already have a pretty clear idea of what poetry is.
Poetry is a form of literary expression that uses language, rhythm, and imagery to evoke emotions, convey meaning, and capture the beauty of the human experience.
There are a wide variety of forms, from epic poetry to sonnets to limericks. But, for the purposes of this Introduction to Literature course, I am less interested in you learning about specific forms or literary eras. I hope, instead, that you will begin to develop a lifelong appreciation — and a sensitive ear — for the poetry that surrounds us all.
Many contemporary readers seem to find poetry a bit too rarefied to even take notice of, much less enjoy. “Too much fancy,” one young man told me.
Yet, I find this response ironic, because we swim in poetry throughout our everyday lives. Poetry is everywhere.
Do you remember any of these old sayings and aphorisms? Do you think their poetic phrasing might be part of why we remember them so well?
- “Actions speak louder than words.”
- “Pretty is as pretty does.”
- “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
- “Good things come to those who wait.”
- “Haste makes waste.”
- “Kill two birds with one stone.”
- “No pain, no gain.”
- “Out of sight, out of mind.”
- “Practice makes perfect.”
- “The early bird catches the worm.”
- “Two heads are better than one.”
- “When it rains, it pours.”
- “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
- “You reap what you sow.”
- “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Similarly, do you recognize any of these advertising slogans?
- “Just do it.” – Nike
- “Think different.” – Apple
- “The Happiest Place on Earth.” – Disneyland
- “I’m lovin’ it.” – McDonald’s
- “Because you’re worth it.” – L’Oréal
- “Open happiness.” – Coca-Cola
- “Impossible is nothing.” – Adidas
- “A diamond is forever.” – De Beers
- “Believe in better.” – Sky
- “The world’s local bank.” – HSBC
- “Quality never goes out of style.” – Levi’s
- “The fabric of our lives.” – Cotton Incorporated
- “The art of performance.” – Jaguar
- “You’re in good hands.” – Allstate
- “Eat fresh.” – Subway
- “Inspiring the extraordinary.” – Medtronic
- “Grace, Space, Pace” – Jaguar
- “Ideas for Life” – Panasonic
- “Because change happens.” – Zurich
- “Taste the rainbow.” – Skittles
If not truly “poetry,” are they not, at least, poetic?
Isn’t that touch of poetry the thing that makes each so suggestive, meaningful, and memorable?
“Here’s to the crazy ones:
The misfits,
The rebels,
The troublemakers,
The round pegs in the square holes,
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules, and
They have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them,
glorify, or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do
is ignore them,
because they change things.
They push the human race
forward.
And while some may see them
as the crazy ones,
we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough
to think
they can change the world
are the ones who do.”
Aside from advertising, everywhere we go we hear music. Music and lyrics. Lyrics are poetry, too.
So, first, I’d like you to try to figure out what these poems are saying — what they mean. Keep in mind that they may mean several things, all at once, depending on how you look at them.
Some of these poems are oblique — more suggestive, or lyrical, than making a specific point.
Others are didactic: Offering instruction and specific insights for readers to learn from.
In taking those two approaches, poets may use different approaches to specific phrasing:
- Some of these poems are intended to be anthemic, like an anthem, and speak in general terms — using vague or general phrasing.
- Some of these poems use specific sensory details to talk about specific things. And yet, some of those specifics may mean more than just one, specific thing.
So, second, as you read through them, try to note not just what they say, but how they say it.
Then, that may help you to better understand what they really mean.
Course Readings in Poetry (Chronological Order)
- William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 29: When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes” (1609): A sonnet exploring themes of self-doubt, despair, and the redemptive power of love. Learn more here.
- John Donne, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1624): A former English soldier writes about the interconnectedness of humanity (including his former enemies), prompted by the sound of a church bell tolling for a funeral.
- William Blake, “The Lamb” (1789): A gentle and symbolic poem that explores themes of innocence, divinity, and the beauty of nature.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Ozymandias” (1818): A sonnet that explores the transient nature of power and the inevitable decay of human achievements.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “A Psalm of Life” (1838): A poem that reflects on the meaning and purpose of life, encouraging readers to embrace the present and strive for noble deeds.
- Emily Dickinson, “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” (1891): A concise and introspective poem that personifies hope as a resilient force in the face of adversity.
- Rudyard Kipling, “If—” (1910): A didactic poem offering valuable life lessons and exploring the virtues of resilience, determination, and self-mastery.
- Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken” (1916): A widely known and studied poem that explores choices and individuality.
- Edgar Albert Guest, “To a Young Man” (1916): A motivational and inspirational poem that imparts life advice and encourages young readers to persevere and find their purpose.
- Mitchell Parish (for a melody by Hoagy Carmichael), “Stardust” (1927): A love song about a love song, this complex yet timeless lyric captures the wistful and dreamlike essence of love and nostalgia. YouTube video (official). | Learn more here.
- William Carlos Williams, “This Is Just To Say” (1934): A brief and playful poem that uses specific, sensory details to blur the line between everyday life and the poetic (if there was ever a line, to begin with). Learn more here.
- Langston Hughes, “Let America Be America Again” (1936): A powerful poem that explores the promises and failures of the American dream, giving voice to marginalized communities and advocating for equality and justice.
- W. H. Auden, “Song No. XXX” (aka “Funeral Blues” or “Stop All the Clocks”) (1938): A poignant and emotionally charged poem that contemplates loss, grief, and the universal experience of mourning. “Four Weddings and a Funeral” scene which popularized the poem (via MovieClips on YouTube).
- Dr. Seuss, “Horton Hears a Who!” (1954): A defining work by the popular modern children’s book writer and illustrator, that has been performed as a Peabody Award-winning 1970 television special (rebroadcast regularly), a 2000 Broadway musical play, an animated full-length film in 2008, and is currently under development at Netflix as an animated series.
- Bob Dylan, “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” (1963): A folk song, that started as a poem, with powerful imagery and social commentary, reflecting the spirit of protest and the turbulent times of the 1960s. YouTube video (official). | Learn more here.
- John Lennon, “In My Life” (1965): A song that reflects on personal experiences and relationships, offering a glimpse into the poetic aspects of songwriting, recorded by The Beatles. YouTube video (official).
- Paul Weller, “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight” (1978): During the British punk music movement, mod-revivalists, The Jam, recorded this song, which started out as a poem, to protest violent gangs attacking British people, particularly those perceived as immigrants. YouTube video (official).
- 2Pac (Tupac Amaru Shakur), “Dear Mama” (1995): A heartfelt and introspective tribute to the rapper’s mother, exploring themes of love, struggle, and resilience.
- Billy Collins, “The Lanyard” (1998): A contemporary poem with a touch of humor and introspection, exploring themes of love, memory, and gratitude. Learn more here.
- Amanda Gorman, “The Hill We Climb” (2021): A powerful and inspiring poem delivered at the presidential inauguration, delivered by its author, at age 22, highlighting themes of unity, resilience, and the pursuit of a better future.
Course Readings in Poetry (CHOOSE TEN OR MORE)
- William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 29: When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes” (1609)
- John Donne, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1624)
- William Blake, “The Lamb” (1789)
- Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Ozymandias” (1818)
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “A Psalm of Life” (1838)
- Emily Dickinson, “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” (1891)
- Rudyard Kipling, “If—” (1910)
- Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken” (1916)
- Edgar Albert Guest, “To a Young Man” (1916)
- Mitchell Parish (for a melody by Hoagy Carmichael), “Stardust” (1927)
- William Carlos Williams, “This Is Just To Say” (1934)
- Langston Hughes, “Let America Be America Again” (1936)
- W. H. Auden, “Song No. XXX” (aka “Funeral Blues” or “Stop All the Clocks”) (1938)
- Dr. Seuss, “Horton Hears a Who!” (1954)
- Bob Dylan, “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” (1963)
- John Lennon, “In My Life” (1965)
- Paul Weller, “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight” (1978)
- 2Pac (Tupac Amaru Shakur), “Dear Mama” (1995)
- Billy Collins, “The Lanyard” (1998)
- Amanda Gorman, “The Hill We Climb” (2021)
Other Readings:
- Reading a Poem
- Writing About Poetry
- Literary Terms (This link is important to help you write your essays.)
Please remember to take notes on all the readings and videos in the course, and take a minute to review all your hard work, daily.