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Culture

‘Lee in the Furnace’: A Poem on Robert E. Lee by Monika Cooper

The Society
December 3, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
28 Comments
. Lee in the Furnace "He who thinks of Lee Must think of Washington. . ." ---Herman Melville So Oleh, Chief, my other grandfather, Mine on the distaff, on the losing side. The furnace burnishes your graven...

‘Voyage to Scotland’: Poems by Margaret Coats

The Society
December 1, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
22 Comments
. Voyage to Scotland Constantius II, son of Constantine and emperor from 337 to 361, hoped to glorify Constantinople by collecting relics of all twelve Apostles. He took Saint Andrew’s remains by force from...

‘Killing Common Sense’: A Poem by Warren Bonham

The Society
November 30, 2023
Culture, Poetry
23 Comments
. Killing Common Sense The savagery of leftist rage __is getting more intense. There’s no rest from the war they wage __upon our common sense. The brave who voice their doubts out loud __are always shouted...

‘What Sort of Freedom?’ and Other Poetry by Adam Sedia

The Society
November 28, 2023
Culture, Poetry
13 Comments
. What Sort of Freedom? What sort of freedom is it that proclaims Its export to the savage and demands Oceans of youthful blood to back its claims And wrests the first fruits from hard-toiling hands; That...

‘2 Peter 3’ and Other Poetry by Jeffrey Essmann

The Society
November 26, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
8 Comments
. 2 Peter 3 “Consider that our Lord’s patience is directed toward salvation.” ---2 Peter 3:15 For once in church (before, I think, the Sacrament) In silence deep and cast adrift in prayer, I folded in...

A Poem on How ‘Israel Is Real’ by Michael Vanyukov

The Society
November 24, 2023
Culture, Poetry
21 Comments
. To Whom It May Concern a common spelling error: “Isreal.” "Woe to those who say of the evil that it is good and of the good that it is evil; who present darkness as light and light as darkness,...

‘The Eve of Thanksgiving’: A Poem by Anna J. Arredondo

The Society
November 22, 2023
Culture, Humor, Poetry
21 Comments
. . The Eve of Thanksgiving ‘Tis the eve of Thanksgiving, and all through the class, The students are wishing the time would soon pass. Though it’s nodes, modes, and frequencies they’re told to...

‘World View’: A Poem by James A. Tweedie

The Society
November 21, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
10 Comments
. World View Beyond the line where sea and sky collideLie distant lands beyond myopic sightWhere men and women live and love besideThe self-same sea beneath the same sun’s light. Where East meets West...

‘Reversing Babel’: A Poem by Cynthia Erlandson

The Society
November 21, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
26 Comments
. . Reversing Babel . I. Babel “Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.” ---Genesis 11:1 . An ill wind blows through Babel, where all speech Is one, so that it’s possible to plan--- Then...

‘Perpetual Emotion’: A Poem on Israel and the Jews, by James A. Tweedie

The Society
November 20, 2023
Culture, Poetry
13 Comments
. Perpetual Emotion “And everybody hates the Jews.” ---Tom Lehrer, National Brotherhood Week Not many people like the Jews; __By many they are hated. The people whom God chose to choose __At best are...

On the United Nations, Israel, and Hamas, and Other Poetry by Russel Winick

The Society
November 20, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Human Rights in China, Humor, Poetry
18 Comments
. “United” Nations? The U.N. won’t condemn Hamas’s slaughter,Supporting those who want Jews underwater.Iran’s a U.N. human rights group head,Though it would like Americans all dead. Two U.N....

‘Prayerwise’ and Other Poetry by Monika Cooper

The Society
November 19, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
22 Comments
. Prayerwise for Gloria (1934-2013) Tough, keen, opinionated, shrewd:Collected junk, shared what she foundWith those who shared her roof and food,With those who shared her daily round. She prayed her daily...

A Poem on Babylon Then and Now, by G.M.H. Thompson

The Society
November 18, 2023
Culture, Poetry
8 Comments
. Babylon (or Shelly's "Ozymandias" Paraphrased) . Oh Babylon, sweet Babylon, how long your skeleton has rotted in the sun— your name intoxicates like honeyed wine & makes me smell your incense in my...

‘Love Songs for Malcolm’: Poetry by Margaret Coats

The Society
November 17, 2023
Culture, Love Poems, Poetry
35 Comments
. . Love Songs for Malcolm . I. Quickly you approach, King Malcolm, Firm and steady is your tread, Predetermined on defeating Faint reluctance in the greeting Made by one you mean to wed. . English words...

‘To Some Religious Brothers’: A Poem by Patrick Murtha

The Society
November 17, 2023
Culture, Poetry
17 Comments
. To Some Religious Brothers Beg! pray! or preach!  Or make one gravel-throated noise, Make murmur or a whimper or a single moan! Burble or belch or grunt!  The silence of your voice Unsettles souls and...

‘What Do You Do When You No Longer Drink’ and Other Poetry by Geoffrey Smagacz

The Society
November 16, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Love Poems, Poetry
19 Comments
. What Do You Do When You No Longer Drink What do you do when you no longer drink, no tossing out the empties in a bag as one by one you hear that cautious clink then wipe end tables with a beer-soaked...
poem/bryant/culture

‘It Seems Like Only Yesterday’ and Other Poetry by Russel Winick

The Society
November 14, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
14 Comments
. It Seems Like Only Yesterday Votes and virtue did not yield Control of our own border, And context did not supersede A breach of law and order. Most people thought the playing of Our anthem was the...

‘Sounds Like Paradise’: A Poem by Roy E. Peterson

The Society
November 14, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
32 Comments
. Sounds Like Paradise Kids are in the backyard playing; __The dog is playing too. I think that sounds like Paradise--- __Doesn’t it to you? Wife is in the kitchen humming, __Making pumpkin pies. Husband...

‘Beware the Lion’ and Other Poetry by Martin Rizley

The Society
November 13, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
15 Comments
. Beware the Lion "Your adversary the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" ---1 Peter 5:8 Beware the lion! Stealthily he creeps By dark of night, or camouflaged by day In leafy...

A Poem for Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, by Margaret Coats

The Society
November 12, 2023
Culture, Poetry
96 Comments
. Superior Pontiff for Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, deposed November 11, 2023 Our Father in heaven gives the Bread On which the need of souls is fed. With doctrine and devotion rife, I am he, the...

Two Poems for the Indian Holiday Diwali, by Rohini Sunderam

The Society
November 12, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Villanelle
12 Comments
. Glow Brave little candle, shining bright! You send out rays of hope all night. Within your heart you hold a flame, A yellow flame, with loving aim, A flame that banishes the dark, Dispels despair and lights...

‘London, 11-11-2023’: A Poem by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
November 11, 2023
Culture, Poetry
45 Comments
. London, 11-11-2023 As wreaths of poppies roar in rebel red Commemorating all our noiseless dead, The streets of London buzz with blatant hate Inflamed by fiends who have a lust to sate--- That ferrous...

‘The Soldier’: A Veterans Day Poem by Richard Lackman

The Society
November 11, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
11 Comments
. The Soldier He started as a little boy from any small hometown. He loved to throw and hit a ball but never gained renown. His parents taught him right from wrong and how to do his best, So he grew up a...

Real War Stories, Retold in Poetry by James A. Tweedie

The Society
November 11, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
15 Comments
. War Paths in honor of veterans I have known through the retelling of their stories. . “Any Man’s Death Diminishes Me” Preface “Be killed or killed! Be cursed or cursed!” __A lose-lose battle...

‘Returning Soldiers’: An Armistice Day Poem by Paul A. Freeman

The Society
November 10, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
13 Comments
. Returning Soldiers With hedgerows, fields and trees the soldiers of a forward trench have rested with unease, reduced beyond a carcase stench. Beneath a one-time, war-torn land they’ve lain---forgotten...

‘Until You Try’: A Poem by Michael Charles Maibach

The Society
November 9, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
10 Comments
. Until You Try "You’ll never know Until you try…" Make this mindset Your battle cry! Your first few steps, A paper route. Try out for sports. Doors all about! Reach out your hand, And make a friend, And...

‘The Moon Hung Low…’: A Poem by Cynthia Erlandson

The Society
November 8, 2023
Culture, Poetry
30 Comments
. . “The moon hung low in the sky like a yellow skull.” ---Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray . The moon hung low in the sky like a yellow skull, A glowing goblin with a garish grin And pathos in its...

‘Alfie’s Answer’: A Poem by Peter Duff

The Society
November 8, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
12 Comments
. Alfie’s Answer “What’s it all about, Alfie?” ---Hal David Not selfish pleasure, as I thought, but love For isolated pleasures quickly sour. Love feeds a hunger nothing else avails The power of love...

‘The Miasma Enshrouding Disneyland’ and Other Disney Poetry by Brian Yapko

The Society
November 6, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Human Rights in China, Poetry
35 Comments
. The Miasma Enshrouding Disneyland I came here as a fairytale-struck child; The tickets cost less than a week of pay And we would spend a carefree, joy-filled day. The park was clean; the rides were fun...

‘Icarus Sings’ and Other Poetry by Paris Michael

The Society
November 3, 2023
Culture, Love Poems, Poetry
6 Comments
. Icarus Sings I’ve tempted fate, And sought the sun, I’m Icarus, I’ve come undone. My wings have failed, For what it’s worth, My long descent, Shall end on earth. I tempted fate, I, fate did...
poem/coats/beauty

‘All Saints Day’ and Other Spiritual Sonnets by Coignard, Translated by Margaret Coats

The Society
November 1, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Translation
19 Comments
. All Saints' Day by Gabrielle de Coignard (c.1550–1586), translated by Margaret Coats O Saints, you have your heritage in hand Because you battled Satan’s sanctimony! Though burned or tortured, you gave...
poem/hayes/culture

‘The Legend of Ole Stingy Jack’: A Poem by Kevin Matthew Hayes

The Society
October 31, 2023
Culture, Poetry
1 Comment
. The Legend of Ole Stingy Jack Do you recall Ole Stingy Jack?Whose tricks cost him a great set back?They say he tricked the Devil twice,But when he died he paid the price. At first denied the pearly...
poem/bryant/culture

‘Word Witch’ and Other Halloween Poetry by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
October 31, 2023
Culture, Humor, Poetry, Villanelle
19 Comments
. Word Witch She’ll tease and tempt with mystic words, __This foxy sorceress. Her syntax soars like sun-bound birds--- __This wizard poetess Casts slick linguistic spells that sing __Of Cupid’s carnal...

‘Plato’s Pumpkins’ and Other Halloween Poetry by Leland James

The Society
October 29, 2023
Culture, Poetry
11 Comments
. . Plato’s Pumpkins  A patchwork quilt of pumpkins sown with gourds, odd fellows green and yellow ‘twixt-and-‘tween October’s orbs of orange the overlords of cowboy, tramp, and witch come...
poem/arredondo/death

‘Apocalypse Women’: A Poem by Monika Cooper

The Society
October 28, 2023
Culture, Poetry
18 Comments
. Apocalypse Women The Christians gather at the baby’s grave. There are no tall stones in the children’s field. Red scarves veil women’s heads among the crowd And one, eyes streaming with a grief...

‘A Vision of Hell’: A Bus Poem by Paul Martin Freeman

The Society
October 25, 2023
Culture, Poetry
16 Comments
. The Number 192: Inside the Floor in which we encounter a vision of Hell ’Twas on the 192 at Tottenham Hale, It happened not so many years ago, A certain Mr. George Arbuthnot Dale Experienced a bout of...

‘The Reincarnations of Donald J. Trump’: A Poem by Evan Mantyk

The Society
October 24, 2023
Beauty, Culture, Epic, Poetry
26 Comments
. The Reincarnations of Donald J. Trump after Andrew Benson Brown’s Legends of Liberty  . I. 218 B.C. Above the mellow grass, cliff faces soar Like walls to house a huge primeval god. The pass into the...

‘After Brain Death’ and Other Poetry by Joshua C. Frank

The Society
October 24, 2023
Culture, Poetry
15 Comments
. After Brain Death Based on the article “May We Donate Our Organs?” by Drs. Jay Boyd and Paul A. Byrne:  Warm and pink, his heart still beating, Cells dividing, still digesting, Still his blood is...

On Michael R. Burch, Poet and Editor of The HyperTexts: A Poem and Note by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
October 23, 2023
Culture, Essays, Poetry, Satire
35 Comments
. Mike Burch Still Around? Good Lord, No… with apologies to J.C. Squire’s Ballade de l’Évolution Créatrice Strange beasts have gone to their reward— The snaky Gorgon and the Sphinx, The centaurs and...

‘Excusing Evil’: A Poem on Hamas Attacks on Israel by Warren Bonham

The Society
October 23, 2023
Culture, Poetry, Satire
21 Comments
. Excusing Evil A peaceful protest just took place, and some unlucky people died. Hamas just wanted more air space where at-risk kids could paraglide. As their kids soared, they saw a crowd, and they were...
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  1. Barrie Levine on The Society of Classical Poets 2025 Haiku CompetitionJuly 3, 2025

    joining in prayer for my grandmother's long life her grieving village

  2. C.B. Anderson on ‘Dad and I’ and Other Poems by C.B. AndersonJuly 3, 2025

    Perhaps, Margaret, we can collaborate on a poem with the title "Umbrage in Cambridge".

  3. Cynthia L Erlandson on ‘The Playland’: A Poem by Shamik BanerjeeJuly 3, 2025

    What a lovely sonnet, with so many really original phrases. "Book-freed children" is such a concise and attention-grabbing way of…

  4. Cynthia L Erlandson on A Poem After Chesterton’s ‘A Ballad of Theatricals’, by M.D. SkeenJuly 3, 2025

    Ah, yes -- "The world around us crumbles on"! Great line, and a great remake, as Roy said, of Chesterton,…

  5. Isabel Chenot on The Society of Classical Poets 2025 Haiku CompetitionJuly 3, 2025

    1. Fog We bulge out of half- viscous day. Fade on its blear iris. Scale to grey. 2. hoary mustard…

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