“Sonnet 73” by William Shakespeare
Sonnet 73 That time of year thou mayst in me behold,When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hangUpon those boughs which shake against the cold,Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang; In… Continue Reading
“Five Haikus” by Richard Wright
Five Haikus 1. I am nobody: A red sinking autumn sun Took my name away. 2. I give permission For this slow spring rain to soak The violet beds. 3. With a twitching nose A… Continue Reading
“Fall” by Mary Oliver
Fall the black oaks fling their bronze fruit into all the pockets of the earth pock pock they knock against the thresholds the roof the sidewalk fill the eaves … Continue Reading
“Reckless Sonnet No. 8” by Kimiko Hahn
Reckless Sonnet No. 8 My father, as a boy in Milwaukee, thoughtthe cicada’s cry was the whir from a live wire--not from muscles on the sides of an insectvibrating against an outer membrane. Strange thoughthat,… Continue Reading
“The Moon and the Yew Tree” by Sylvia Plath
The Moon and the Yew Tree This is the light of the mind, cold and planetaryThe trees of the mind are black. The light is blue.The grasses unload their griefs on my feet as if… Continue Reading
“Oh Earth, wait for me” by Pablo Neruda
Oh Earth, wait for me Turn me oh sun towards my native destiny, rain from the ancient forest, return to me the fragrance and the swords that fall from the sky, the solitary peace of… Continue Reading
“The Puppet” by Johnny Welch
The Puppet If for a moment God would forget that I am a rag doll and give me a scrap of life, possibly I would not say everything that I think, but I would definitely… Continue Reading
“American Smooth” by Rita Dove
American Smooth We were dancing—it must havebeen a foxtrot or a waltz,something romantic butrequiring restraint,rise and fall, preciseexecution as we movedinto the next song withoutstopping, two chests heavingabove a seven-leaguestride—such perfect agony,one learns to smile… Continue Reading
“The white moon / La lune blanche” by Paul Verlaine
"The white moon" The white moonShines in the wood;From every branchThere comes a voiceBeneath the arbor ... O my love. The pond reflects,Like a shimmering mirror,The silhouetteOf the black willowWhere the wind laments ... Let… Continue Reading
“A House Called Tomorrow” by Alberto Ríos
A House Called Tomorrow You are not fifteen, or twelve, or seventeen—You are a hundred wild centuries And fifteen, bringing with youIn every breath and in every step Everyone who has come before you,All the… Continue Reading