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    • 'The Unknown Circle of Hell' by Joseph S. Salemi

      The Society
      April 8, 2020
      Beauty, Culture, Dante, Epic, Humor, Poetry
      28 Comments
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    • ‘Black Holes’ and Other Poetry by Beth Houston

      The Society
      September 6, 2025
    • ‘Last Minute Change’ and Other Short Poems by Frank Rable

      The Society
      September 5, 2025
      6
    • ‘Prefab Tabernacle’: A Poem by Shaun C. Duncan

      The Society
      September 4, 2025
      4
    • ‘Poetic Justice’: A Poem on Russia-gate by Warren Bonham

      The Society
      September 4, 2025
      8
    • ‘Ned’s Bad Day’: A Poem by Cheryl Corey

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      September 3, 2025
      12
    • A Video Poetry Reading of ‘Libra’ by Patricia Rogers Crozier

      The Society
      September 3, 2025
      5
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    • Announcing the 2019 Poetry Competition Winners

      The Society
      February 1, 2019
      Education, From the Society, Poetry, Poetry Contests
      13 Comments
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    • The 2025 Society of Classical Poets International Poetry Competition

      The Society
      September 1, 2025
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      September 1, 2025
    • The Best Haiku of 2025: Winners of the 2025 SCP Haiku Competition

      The Society
      August 28, 2025
      13
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      The Society
      July 26, 2025
      3
    • The Society of Classical Poets 2025 Haiku Competition

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      June 21, 2025
      644
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      May 13, 2025
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Author The Society

The Society

The Society of Classical Poets was founded in New York in July, 2012.

‘Saint Sebastianus’ and Other Poems by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
January 13, 2024
Beauty, Blank Verse, Culture, Poetry
19 Comments
. Saint Sebastianus Sebastianus, soldier, pinioned, bleeding, Stands at his lonely and forgotten post Unperceived—no, even unsuspected— By the diseased and ulcerated world. Stomachs swollen with dyspeptic...

‘The Unchecked Pawn’: A Chess Poem by Julian Woodruff

The Society
January 13, 2024
Culture, Poetry
12 Comments
. The Unchecked Pawn Quickly Black castled king-side and planned his attack. White then countered with confidence, primed for a sack, with the sneakiest strategy he could contrive: nonchalantly he pushed his...

‘Shakespeare Re-placed: Re-Verse Engineering’: Poetry by James A. Tweedie

The Society
January 12, 2024
Humor, Poetry, Shakespeare
14 Comments
. Shakespeare Re-placed Re-Verse Engineering In the picture above, SCP poet James A. Tweedie has taken the image of Venus from Botticelli’s Primavera and relocated her to the upstairs bathroom in his home....

The 10 Best Poems of Emily Dickinson

The Society
January 12, 2024
Best Poems, Essays, Poetry
35 Comments
. The 10 Best Poems of Emily Dickinson by Monika Cooper Being presented with an Emily Dickinson poem is like getting a telegram from a strange planet: our own. There may not be any words you don’t know. But...

‘Homebound’: A Poem on Delivering Communion by Jeffrey Essmann

The Society
January 11, 2024
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
14 Comments
. Homebound They get too old to come to Mass, too sick, Too shaky on their legs or just too scared To leave the house. The bleak arithmetic Of life has caught them sorely unprepared And suddenly the simple...

‘The Darkened Hill’: A Poem by Adam Wasem

The Society
January 11, 2024
Beauty, Poetry
3 Comments
. The Darkened Hill We drove and found the childhood place where you would run and hide for space away from family pain and disgrace. Up to the top of the darkened hill we crept and stopped to drink our...
poem/kemper/culture

‘Without a Dad’ and Other Poetry by Gregory Ross

The Society
January 10, 2024
Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Rondeau
11 Comments
. Without a Dad Without a Dad, you are not sure, And never know you could endure The many doubts that blur your sight, Or fears that stalk you every night; If he’s not present, there’s no cure. And then...
poetry/benson brown/readings

Andrew Benson Brown Reads Poems by D. Robin, Tessitore, Freeman, A. Casey, Dickey, and Tweedie

The Society
January 10, 2024
Classical Poets Live, Poetry, Readings
9 Comments
...

‘Venus Sighed’: A Poem by Suzanne Ramljak

The Society
January 9, 2024
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
19 Comments
. Venus Sighed Venus sighed and turned aside, tired of seeing people try to feebly mimic Beauty’s pride, too easily pleasing hungry eyes that eat what they are given. Steeped in heaps of plastic...

‘The Old Native Chieftain’ and Other Poetry by Corey Elizabeth Jackson

The Society
January 9, 2024
Beauty, Poetry
8 Comments
. The Old Native Chieftain The old native chieftain from forests among __Bright sparkling lakes of the tribe, With death approaching instinctively covets __The spot where his transition lies. Reclining in...

Our Faith Is What?—Canto XXIV of Dante’s Paradise, Translated by Stephen Binns

The Society
January 8, 2024
Dante, Poetry, Translation
6 Comments
. Our Faith Is What?--- Canto XXIV of Paradise by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) translated by Stephen Binns “O fellowship elected to the feast  ____Beatrice says to those amid the fixed stars __of our blessed...

‘Puffins’: A Poem by Margaret Coats

The Society
January 8, 2024
Beauty, Poetry
45 Comments
. Puffins The puffin’s beak is bright: Quince yellow stripes contrast With chests of fluffy white And wings of satin black, But suit dense orange web feet. When jauntily upcast, Snouts call for tap and...

‘Unchristian’ and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson

The Society
January 7, 2024
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
39 Comments
. Unchristian I hope you burn in Hell for nasty things You said to me, but if you don’t, I hope A host of energetic angel wings Will lash your eyes.  The blurry King of Kings, As toward His golden God-side...

Poetry for Children: Seven Great Poems to Read to Your Kids

The Society
January 7, 2024
Best Poems, Children's, Poetry
13 Comments
. . Poetry for Children by Shaun C. Duncan . To speak of poetry for children might appear redundant at first. With rhymed and metered poetry hounded out of every "respectable" corner of the literary...

‘Enlightened Minds’: A Poem On Anti-Israel Protests on Campus, by Warren Bonham

The Society
January 6, 2024
Culture, Poetry
24 Comments
. Enlightened Minds Most live life unsure and frightened, bearing burdens they want lightened. Waking, working, living, dying. Wondering why they keep on trying. Until thoughts that sound so heightened come...

‘The Barista’s Hands’ and Other Sonnets by Daniel Kemper

The Society
January 6, 2024
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
23 Comments
. The Barista’s Hands Surprisingly, she knew my name and used the chance to give a fleeting glimpse and catch me off my guard. I cocked my head, perused her angled pose, and stretched enough to match her...

‘A Valedictorian’s Address at Harvard, about Claudine Gay’: A Poem by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
January 5, 2024
Poetry, Satire
39 Comments
. A Valedictorian’s Address at Harvard, about Claudine Gay written at the request of Brian Yapko, and in deepest appreciation of Chris Rufo, who broke this story wide open We’re gathered here to say...

‘Kintsugi’: A Poem by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
January 5, 2024
Beauty, Blank Verse, Culture, Poetry
42 Comments
. Kintsugi  There is an ancient practice in Japan--- Chipped and broken vessels, dear to hearts, Are mended with a striking golden blend. These cracked ceramics, kissed with artistry, Have former glory...

‘The Resistance’ and Other Poetry by Anna J. Arredondo

The Society
January 5, 2024
Culture, Poetry
13 Comments
. The Resistance There’s something in the way you hear __My meanings when I speak; It draws me dangerously near, __Makes my defenses weak. There’s understanding in your eyes __That shakes me with each...

‘Ghosts: At the gate of Auschwitz’: A Poem for Israel by Michael Vanyukov

The Society
January 4, 2024
Culture, Poetry
17 Comments
. Ghosts: At the gate of Auschwitz Наш поезд уходит в Освенцим— Сегодня и ежедневно (Our train is departing for Auschwitz, today as it does every day) —А ....
poem/sea/ocean

‘Foothold’: A Poem by Maggie Palmer

The Society
January 4, 2024
Beauty, Poetry
10 Comments
. Foothold Of hearth and home the better part is not the decorator’s art: not tasteful pillows, painted walls, or photographs along the halls, but sturdy footing, on whose rust a body steps with careless...

‘Jewish Detractors of Israel’: A Poem by Maxim D. Shrayer

The Society
January 3, 2024
Culture, Poetry
25 Comments
. Jewish Detractors of Israel Israel’s Jewish detractors, do you experience remorse? How does it feel to be traitors? Low’s the price of your voice. Jewish self-hatred runs rampant when Israel’s under...

Aesop’s ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ (Crisell Adaptation) and Other Classics Read by Andrew Benson Brown

The Society
January 3, 2024
Children's, Classical Poets Live, Poetry, Readings
9 Comments
. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/87O4CNfrZ2M https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ufJcOO-y7Ho?feature=share https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GG9J2oEEiyY?feature=share . . Andrew Benson Brown has had poems and...
poem/tweedie/satire

‘Symbolic Expression’ and Other Poetry by Russel Winick

The Society
January 2, 2024
Beauty, Poetry, Satire
26 Comments
. Symbolic Expression As polar opposites these days,The liberals and conservativesExpress opinions different ways. They rarely ever are in sync,Since Liberals always say “I feel…,”Conservatives start...

Poems on the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Captain Ahab, by Brian Yapko

The Society
January 2, 2024
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
33 Comments
. The Hunchback The belfry beckons. Once again it’s time. This is my cross, the task I’m forced to bear. “To the Cathedral! Hear the noon bells chime!” I summon all of Paris here for...

‘In The Beginning’: A Poem by Warren Bonham

The Society
January 1, 2024
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
22 Comments
. In The Beginning We’re stuck in the middle, unsure of the ending but guessing the outcome by how things are trending should make it apparent it’s foolish to frolic and cause us to worry and be...

‘Nero Redivivus’: A Poem by Shaun C. Duncan

The Society
January 1, 2024
Culture, Epic, Poetry
20 Comments
. Nero Redivivus Others suppose that he was not killed, but withdrawn instead so that he might be supposed killed and that he is still alive and in concealment in the vigour of age he had reached at the time...

‘On Turning the Page of a New Year—2023-2024’: A Poem by Paul A. Freeman

The Society
December 31, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
20 Comments
. On Turning the Page of a New Year---2023-2024 The hour-glass is almost void of sand,a rounding of the sun described in grainsthat drain away. Now little time remainsas New Year stalks the browns and greens...

‘A Prayerful Pantoum for the Perpetually Pessimistic’ by Susan Jarvis Bryant  

The Society
December 31, 2023
Beauty, Humor, Pantoum, Poetry
39 Comments
. A Prayerful Pantoum for the Perpetually Pessimistic  "We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne."  ---Robert Burns For bellyachers belching bile this year For sourpusses (huffish and...

‘New Year’s Eve’ and Other Poetry by Martin Rizley

The Society
December 31, 2023
Beauty, Love Poems, Poetry
24 Comments
. New Year's Eve So swiftly tick the minutes to the close Of these twelve months, this day, and life itself! Which jars of clay will stay upon the shelf Another year, and which will break? God knows. For only...

‘Woke Christmas’ and Other Poetry by Joshua C. Frank

The Society
December 30, 2023
Culture, Poetry, Satire, Triolet
6 Comments
. Woke Christmas We dream of Christmas like we used to know, With Santa Claus and sleigh rides in the snow, Big families all together, super-sized, But leftist thinking has metastasized And each says,...
poetry/homeschooling/teachers guide

‘After the Stroke’: A Poem on Aphasia, by Mary Gardner

The Society
December 30, 2023
Culture, Poetry
14 Comments
. After the Stroke Aphasia: an impairment of a previously held ability to produce or understand spoken, written, or signed language, due to disease or injury of the brain. With pencil at the...

‘Anniversary Pastoral for Benedict XVI’ by Margaret Coats

The Society
December 30, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
21 Comments
. Anniversary Pastoral for Benedict XVI Trustworthy Shepherd of all shepherds, hear Today’s renewed appeal in concord made For Benedict, departed now one year. That he to restful comfort be conveyed, His...

Mythological Limericks on Defloration by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
December 29, 2023
Culture, Humor, Limerick, Poetry
31 Comments
. Mythological Limericks on Defloration . Venus and Adonis Adonis was cute as a berry And Venus was sexy and merry— __The boy said “No dice” __But without thinking twice She jumped him and popped the...

A Poem on Frozen Embryos and Other Poetry by Joshua C. Frank

The Society
December 29, 2023
Culture, Poetry, Triolet
12 Comments
. They Have Our Genes They have our genes; they’re human beings, Our fifteen frozen embryos. Regardless of your disagreeings, They have our genes; they’re human beings. They must be born, by God’s...

‘An Abandoned Cemetery’: A Poem by Carey Jobe

The Society
December 29, 2023
Beauty, Poetry
34 Comments
. An Abandoned Cemetery Pines thinly hid them on the forest floor: huge, useless molars, only three or four upright---a sign remembrance, too, had died. He climbed the rusted gate and jumped inside. Thick,...
poem/music/Burns/auld lang syne

An End of the Year Poem and Christmas Musical Medley by Jeff Eardley

The Society
December 28, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Music, Poetry
22 Comments
. Christmas Medley performed by Jeff Eardley . . Absent Friends The Christmas lights are twinkling on the houses all around. All we need’s a frosting and some snow upon the ground. But as this old year...

‘The Evening The Times Newspaper Turned Into Jane Eyre’: A Poem by Lucius Falkland

The Society
December 28, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
8 Comments
. The Evening The Times Newspaper Turned Into Jane Eyre My life had become like a broadsheet,__The Telegraph, maybe The Times:The financial section---prose sober and neat;__Inflation---the yen falls and...

‘Common Currency’: A Poem by Peter Duff

The Society
December 28, 2023
Beauty, Poetry
10 Comments
. Common Currency There’s little written that cannot be said in some way that misunderstands or read as was not meant to be. There’s little heard that’s taken just as meant. There is no word confined by...

‘I Know Them Well’: A Villanelle by Mike Ruskovich

The Society
December 27, 2023
Culture, Poetry, Villanelle
8 Comments
. I Know Them Well Don't preach to me of heaven and of hell expecting me to tremble and to cower. They're here on Earth, and yes, I know them well. I do not need to hear your church bell knell from high atop...
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