Tag Archives: Poetry

August

Posted on August 1, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

 

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trembling with the same cicada sound

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Here in the Northeastern U.S. we are experiencing the emergence of a brood of 17-year cicadas. Sitting in my garden listening to the noisy insects, I was reminded of this very short piece by the late American poet W.S. Merwin: … Continue reading →

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one person out of 8,000,000

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

“Personal Poem” by Frank O’Hara Now when I walk around at lunchtime I have only two charms in my pocket an old Roman coin Mike Kanemitsu gave me and a bolt-head that broke off a packing case when I was … Continue reading →

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Primary Source

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

It’s now possible to read one of the oldest books of English literature in the world  online.The Exeter Book is a 1oth century anthology of poetry in Old English and one of  only four manuscript books containing virtually all the English … Continue reading →

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The Idea of a Forest

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

THE OTHER TRADITION John Ashbery They all came, some wore sentiments Emblazoned on T-shirts, proclaiming the lateness Of the hour, and indeed the sun slanted its rays Through branches of Norfolk Island pine as though Politely clearing its throat, and … Continue reading →

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The sound of liberty

Posted on July 4, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The Memoirs and Poems of Phillis Wheatley celebrates the life and work of the first Black American poet to be published. Although she was an enslaved person, Phillis Wheatley Peters was one of the best-known poets in pre-19th century America. Educated … Continue reading →

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Underground

Posted on June 28, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The Underground There we were in the vaulted tunnel running, You in your going-away coat speeding ahead And me, me like a fleet god gaining Upon you before you turned to a reed Or some new white flower japped with … Continue reading →

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We Lurk Late

Posted on June 19, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The paper-cut puppetry video below was commissioned by the Poetry Foundation and created by Manual Cinema in association with Crescendo Literary,  it animates a May 3, 1983 recording of Gwendolyn Brooks speaking during an Academy of American Poets reading series held at the Guggenheim Museum in … Continue reading →

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Ways to Disappear

Posted on June 8, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Ways to Disappear Camille Rankine In the dark Down a stairwell Through the doorway Gone west With a new wish In daylight Down the sidewalk In a wool coat In a white dress Without a name Without asking On your … Continue reading →

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All the misery of manilla folders and mucilage

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

DOLOR Theodore Roethke I have known the inexorable sadness of pencils, Neat in their boxes, dolor of pad and paper weight, All the misery of manilla folders and mucilage, Desolation in immaculate public places, Lonely reception room, lavatory, switchboard, The … Continue reading →

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