Section: «Poems»
Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings:
artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.);
a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").
A Prodigal
The brown enormous odor he lived bywas too close, with its breathing and thick hair,for him to judge. The floor was rotten; the stywas plastered..
© Elizabeth Bishop
A Miracle For Breakfast
At six o'clock we were waiting for coffee,waiting for coffee and the charitable crumbthat was going to be served from a certain balcony- like kings..
© Elizabeth Bishop
Sestina
September rain falls on the house.In the failing light, the old grandmothersits in the kitchen with the childbeside the Little Marvel Stove,reading..
© Elizabeth Bishop
The Fish
I caught a tremendous fishand held him beside the boathalf out of water, with my hookfast in a corner of his mouth.He didn't fight.He hadn't fought..
© Elizabeth Bishop
I Am In Need Of Music
I am in need of music that would flowOver my fretful, feeling fingertips,Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips,With melody, deep, clear, and..
© Elizabeth Bishop
One Art
The art of losing isn't hard to master;so many things seem filled with the intentto be lost that their loss is no disaster,Lose something every day...
© Elizabeth Bishop
Working Class Hero
My brothers knewThe things you know.I did not scornlearning them;It’s just my mindWas busy being trainedFor “Other Things”:Poetry, Philosophy..
© Alice Walker
Turning Madness Into Flowers #1
If my sorrow were deeperI'd be, along with you, underthe ocean's floor;but today I learn that the oilthat pools beneath the ocean flooris..
© Alice Walker
Word Reaches Us
Word reaches usthat you are sleeping, sleeping.Dismayedwe have turned to the sea.We encounter among otherswalking therea sense of what we have..
© Alice Walker
What It Feels Like
As if I've swallowedA watermelonAndSidesteppingMy digestive tractIt has lodgedIn my heart.There it liesGreen& wholewith a lusciousredheart of its..
© Alice Walker
You Want To Grow Old Like The Carters
Let other leadersRetireTo play golf& writeMemoirsAbout bombingVillagesThey've never seen.Growing oldPresents a perilThey may notExpect.It is to..
© Alice Walker
To Change The World Enough
To change the world enoughyou must cease to be afraidof the poor.We experience your fear as the least pardonable ofhumiliations; in the pastit has..
© Alice Walker
What Makes The Dalai Lama Lovable?
His postureFrom so many yearsHolding his robe with one handIs odd.His gaitAlso.One's own bodyAchesWitnessingThe slopingShoulders& AngledNeck;One..
© Alice Walker
From: Poems To My Girls
IHow can Humanitylook the deerinthe face?How can Mommy,having erectedmy fence?
© Alice Walker
When You Thought Me Poor
When you thought me poor,my poverty was shaming.When blackness was unwelcomewe found it bestthat I stay home.When by the miracleof fierce dreaming..
© Alice Walker
The Ways Of Water
With your unknownto meOdd magicYou cameTo me:Your truckBackfiringAs if sendingOutRocketsTo theStarsYou cameInSo gracefullyRocketsSilencedBehind you..
© Alice Walker
The Tree Of Life Has Fallen
The tree of lifehas fallen on my small house.I thought it was so much bigger!But it is not.There in the distance I see the mountainsstill.The view of..
© Alice Walker
Our Martyr
When the peoplehave won a victorywhether smallor largedo you ever wonderat that momentwhere the martyrsmight be?They who sacrificedthemselvesto bring..
© Alice Walker
Knowing You Might Some Day Come
Knowing you might some day comeand how unprepared I’ve alwaysbeenlike Mr. Sloppyin Charles Dickens’our Mutual FriendI made a list:not meat..
© Alice Walker
When You See Water
When you see water in a streamyou say: oh, this is streamwater;When you see water in the riveryou say: oh, this is waterof the river;When you see..
© Alice Walker
Before I Leave The Stage
Before I leave the stageI will sing the only songI was meant truly to sing.It is the songof I AM.Yes: I am Me&You.WE ARE.I love Us with every..
© Alice Walker
If I Was President
If I was PresidentThe first thing I would dois call Mumia Abu-Jamal.No,if I was presidentthe first thing I would dois call Leonard Peltier.No,if I..
© Alice Walker
Don’t Be Like Those Who Ask For Everything
Don’t be like those who ask for everything:praise, a blurb, a free ride in my rentedlimousine. They ask for everything but never offeranything in..
© Alice Walker
Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit
Did you ever understand this?If my spirit was poor, how could I enter heaven?Was I depressed?Understanding editing,I see how a comma, removed or..
© Alice Walker
Remember
RememberWhen we endedIt all-for a weekend-& howWe knew?You tookThe tea bowlThat IBrokeInCarelessnessTo glue togetherAgainAt yourHouse.
© Alice Walker