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Quote of the moment, and Rick Santorum: Langston Hughes, “Let America be...
Rick Santorum: Running with . . . . . . political philosopher, and Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes? News item: Rick Santorum is running for president. No, seriously — he is. In order to run, a...
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Poem of the moment: William Cullen Bryant on the summer of 2011
He did not write specifically for this year, of course. Here’s one more reason you should subscribe to the Academy of American Poets‘ Poem-A-Day: Click banner to go to American Academy of Poets; you...
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Walt Whitman’s thoughts on time, political trouble, and whether we should go...
Another gem from Poem-A-Day from the Academy of American Poets: On the Beach at Night Alone by Walt Whitman On the beach at night alone, As the old mother sways her to and fro, singing her husky song,...
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Still quote of the moment: Martin Niemöller, “. . . I did not speak out . . .”
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they...
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Poet Devona Wyant, “On the difference between 1 and 99″
On the difference between 1 and 99 1% is when you spend the winters at your house on Fiji. 99% is when you heat your living quarters with a single space heater. 1% is when your prescription is...
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How do we know? Who invented Santa Claus? Who really wrote “Account of a...
The annual retelling, a Christmas tradition; an encore post from 2007 Thomas Nast invented Santa Claus? Clement C. Moore didn’t write the famous poem that starts out, “‘Twas the night before Christmas,...
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If you are a cowboy, and this is January, you’re listening to poetry in Elko
Cowboy poets, cowboy poetry, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Baxter Black! Do you need any more reasons to head to Elko, Nevada, next weekend? Panorama of scenic, Great Basin town Elko, Nevada. Photos by...
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Not averse to a verse? National Poetry Month
In spring, a teacher’s fancy turns to thoughts of poetry. Fortunately, April is National Poetry Month. 2012 National Poetry Month Poster, designed by Chin-Yee Lai - did you send off for your poster?...
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Anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, in the middle of National Poetry Month
This is mostly an encore post. Is there a good reason Paul Revere made his ride in the middle of National Poetry Month? _____________ April 18 and 19. Do the dates have significance? Among other...
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Still quote of the moment, one more time: Martin Niemöller, “. . . I did not...
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they...
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“A Political Primer on Quoting Out of Context”— Michelle Bachmann, poetry by...
Out of context? GOP candidates complain they’ve had remarks “taken out of context,” when the GOP spent the past 16 years perfecting the art of political smear by out-of-context quoting? Well! Out of...
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Typewriter of the moment: e. e. cummings
Typewriter of the poet and author e. e. cummings: Typewriter of e. e. cummings, displayed at the New York Public Library, 2012. Photo by Chris Wolack, WildmooBooks Through March of 2012, 250 objects...
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Poems for an American election day
Do you get the newsletter from the Academy of American Poets? “The Avenue in the Rain,” oil on canvas, by the American painter Childe Hassam. 42 in. x 22.25 in. Courtesy of The White House Collection,...
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In 2012, do we know who invented Santa Claus? Who really wrote the “Night...
An encore post and Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub tradition from 2007 Thomas Nast invented Santa Claus? Clement C. Moore didn’t write the famous poem that starts out, “‘Twas the night before Christmas, and...
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Phillis Wheatley: Poem for Presidents Day (2013)
What is a good flag flying occasion without some inspiring poetry? Get your flag up (if it’s not up already), and read some poetry from a remarkable woman, in this encore post. From the Poem-a-Day...
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Watch this now; practice playing nice in the comments
Tip of the old scrub brush to Ms. Christine Pelosi, Tweeting as @sfpelosi. Wow. "@PaulRieckhoff: Here's part of what kicked us all in the heart at #TED2013 from @Koyczan: tinyurl.com/anyz9yt...
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‘Twas the 18th of April in ’75 . . . (Paul Revere’s Ride, 243rd anniversary)
The annual reminder: Paul Revere — tonight’s the anniversary of his famous ride. Paul Revere, 1768, by John Singleton Copley (1738-1815) John Copley painted all the bigwigs of revolutionary Boston,...
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Anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, in the middle of National Poetry Month
This is mostly an encore post. Is there a good reason Paul Revere made his ride in the middle of National Poetry Month? _____________ April 18 and 19. Do the dates have significance? Among other...
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A poem: “After I learned my flight was delayed four hours” (Gate A4)
Albuquerque International Airport, at Gate A4 After learning my flight was detained 4 hours, I heard the announcement: If anyone in the vicinity of gate 4-A understands any Arabic, Please come to the...
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Amazon haiku to Sen. Wendy Davis’s pink Mizuno shoes
(Yes, you’re right — the shoes are red, not pink.) Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis‘s filibuster so insinuated itself into our culture already that it is now a part of shoe reviews at Amazon.com: Mizuno...
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