Tag Archives: poetry
The Hill We Climb Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 21, 2021
If you are studying the English language, you could not find a better example of its power than Amanda Gorman’s poem performed at the inauguration ceremony for President Joe Biden. The Hill We Climb is filled with rich imagery and figurative allusions from culture, history, and the Bible. Gorman was writing her poem for the…
Reciting Poetry Posted by Gary Locke on Apr 7, 2017
Emily: Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it–every, every minute? Stage Manager: No. (pause) The saints and poets, maybe they do some. From “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder April is the month which brings us in the United States…
Bob Dylan and the English Language Posted by Gary Locke on Oct 13, 2016
Bob Dylan is the 2016 recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. His work was specifically cited “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”. The honor seems to directly expand the Nobel committee’s definition of literature, since many of Dylan’s lyrics rely on musical accompaniment and his unique voice to…
What is a Sonnet? Posted by Gary Locke on Sep 30, 2016
For centuries, great sonnets have epitomized what we mean when we speak of beautiful language. While it is easier to say what a sonnet is than it is to explain how one works, understanding the simple intricacies of the sonnet will put you well on the path to appreciating the possibilities of English words and…
At the Bookstore – Fiction Posted by Gary Locke on Aug 26, 2016
If you are looking for a specific book, or even just something you’d like to read, it helps to know the various categories that bookstores use for shelving their products. Almost every store has three main categories of books in different locations on the sales floor – Nonfiction, Fiction, and Children’s. You will then…
What is a Limerick? Posted by Gary Locke on Aug 15, 2016
How about a little light verse? We compose certain rhymes just for fun. Some that won’t be too sad, sober, or glum. We just want to demonstrate wit, With meaning that isn’t worth spit. And so now that it’s writ, I’m done! That was a limerick. It is one of the most basic examples…
A Robert Frost Poem: ‘The Road Not Taken’ Posted by Gabriele on Feb 9, 2012
Robert Frost is a great American poet from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is one of my favorite poets and today I’d like to share with you one of his more famous poems. This poem is entitled, The Road Not Taken, and it is one of his most beloved poems. In this…