Society of Classical Poets logo
  • About Us
  • Join
  • Donate
  • Poetry
    Random
    • poem/anderson/culture

      'Standing Up' and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson

      The Society
      April 19, 2023
      Culture, Poetry, Science
      25 Comments
    Recent
    • ‘Optimism’: A Poem for the Graduating Class of 2025, by Benjamin Daniel Lukey

      The Society
      July 5, 2025
      2
    • ‘Never Time to Spare’ and Other Poetry by Gigi Ryan

      The Society
      July 5, 2025
      7
    • A Poem on the Ghost Town Bodie, by James A. Tweedie

      The Society
      July 4, 2025
      10
    • ‘Independence Day, 2025’: A Poem by Susan Jarvis Bryant

      The Society
      July 4, 2025
      15
    • A Poem After Chesterton’s ‘A Ballad of Theatricals’, by M.D. Skeen

      The Society
      July 3, 2025
      3
    • ‘The Playland’: A Poem by Shamik Banerjee

      The Society
      July 3, 2025
      8
  • Submit
  • Contests
    Random
    • National Poetry Month Challenge: What Is Poetry?

      The Society
      April 16, 2021
      Culture, Poetry, Poetry Challenge, Poetry Contests
      78 Comments
    Recent
    • The Society of Classical Poets 2025 Haiku Competition

      The Society
      June 21, 2025
      122
    • Winners of Friends of Falun Gong 2025 Poetry Competition Announced

      The Society
      May 13, 2025
      1
    • 2025 Friends of Falun Gong Poetry Competition

      The Society
      March 31, 2025
    • The Best Poems of 2024: Winners of SCP International Poetry Competition

      The Society
      February 1, 2025
      28
    • Winners of 2024 SCP International High School Poetry Competition Announced

      The Society
      February 1, 2025
      2
    • The Best Haiku of 2024: Winners of the 2024 SCP Haiku Competition

      The Society
      September 29, 2024
      14
  • Journal
  • Books
  • Members
  • Poetry Contests
  • Donate
  • About Us
  • Submit
  • Poetry

Culture

Home
Poetry
Culture

‘Sibylline Sonnets for Advent’ by Margaret Coats

The Society
December 11, 2021
Acrostic, Beauty, Culture, Poetry
44 Comments
. Sibylline Sonnets for Advent The sibyls were ecstatic prophetesses active from about 600 B.C. in the Greek coastlands of Asia Minor, and in Greek colonies on the west coast of Italy. A few apparent...

‘Samode Palace Hotel’ by Isabel Miles

The Society
December 11, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
4 Comments
. Samode Palace Hotel An erstwhile palace, and all wished to claim a former sultan's, not a servants', room. So we drew keys, for all had paid the same and won two turrets and a vast bedroom. But, best,...

‘So Simple’ and Other Poetry by Mike Bryant

The Society
December 10, 2021
Covid-19, Culture, Poetry
23 Comments
. So Simple Lies are told to Balkanize, To disenfranchise, federalize, To bloat the vote. An anecdote, A narrative, a false footnote To cast their spell on sheepish folk, Who swell with pride because they’re...

‘Maria Montessori’ and Other Clerihews by Peter Hartley

The Society
December 10, 2021
Clerihew, Culture, Humor, Poetry
33 Comments
. Maria Montessori Seldom felt hunky-dory. Her vision for education Fell short of inspiring a nation. . King George the Second It has often been reckoned Would have been more fecund Had more mistresses...

A Poem on Hot Flashes: ‘The Devil and the Hounds of Hell’ by Norma Pain

The Society
December 9, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
12 Comments
. The Devil and the Hounds of Hell Over and over in the gloom of night, In degrees of Celsius or Fahrenheit. From deep in the middle of a hard-won sleep, An evil entity begins to creep. A dark, diabolical...

A Fake News Pantoum and Other Poetry by Brian Yapko

The Society
December 9, 2021
Culture, Humor, Pantoum, Poetry, Rondeau
9 Comments
. What Is Truth? a pantoum To keep us blind and riven You falsify the facts. You will not be forgiven--- These are a tyrant’s acts! You falsify the facts Promoting news that’s fake. These are a tyrant’s...

‘We Are in for Another Covid Christmas!’ by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
December 8, 2021
Covid-19, Culture, Humor, Poetry
23 Comments
. We Are in for Another Covid Christmas! We are in for another Covid Christmas: __Lockdown tales of woe. ____Now forbidden to fly his sled __Santa is drenched in dread And Rudolph’s rosy nose has lost its...

‘Turn, Turn, Turn’ by Joe Tessitore

The Society
December 8, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
9 Comments
. Turn, Turn, Turn I, whose heart is closed and locked, Who turned away when your Son knocked And who, through sin, did turn my soul Into a twisted lump of coal Turn now, Holy Mary, to you. Least worthy, no...

‘Daphne and Apollo’ by James A. Tweedie

The Society
December 7, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Love Poems, Poetry
18 Comments
. Daphne and Apollo “O foolish Cupid,” fair Apollo mocked. “To think that you, a wanton boy, should dare To think yourself the equal to a man Of arms, or even to a god like me, In putting arrows full...

‘The Biden Oil Refrain’ by Russel Winick

The Society
December 4, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry
16 Comments
. The Biden Oil Refrain As President, on his first day, He closed old Keystone down, Then shut off Arctic drilling, Forty-thousand jobs left town. He cancelled key oil leases, Barred new highly needed...

‘A Shot in the Dark’ by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
December 2, 2021
Covid-19, Culture, Poetry
35 Comments
. A Shot in the Dark   "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help. " ---Ronald Reagan The experts push experimental science, Big...
poem/cooper/odysseus

‘Post-Apocalyptic Politics’ by Alec Ream

The Society
December 2, 2021
Culture, Poetry
2 Comments
. The lights went off, for long enough, And in the darkness things got rough, All four quarters gushing red— Some bloody politician's dead, We liked him once, yes, very much, And wanted to have four of...

‘Listening to Bach While the World Falls Apart’ by Cynthia Erlandson

The Society
December 1, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
16 Comments
. Listening to Bach While the World Falls Apart for Adrianna, Paul, and Beth I Sight isn’t needed---the continuous cracking of all The pillars supporting civilization, is audible. Thunderous crumbling of...

A Poem on Huckleberry Finn Being Canceled for Mark Twain’s Birthday, by Brian Yapko

The Society
November 30, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
41 Comments
. On Mark Twain's Birthday He piloted a Mississippi steamboat, Then panned for gold and sailed around the world. He authored tales of rogues and slavery’s stain But now is damned for all the things he...

A Poem for Peng Shuai, by Douglas J. Lanzo

The Society
November 29, 2021
Culture, Human Rights in China, Poetry
6 Comments
. A Silenced Voice Cried Out  dedicated to Peng Shuai A voice cried out decrying her assault, Courageously to light the way for truth Against one high up preying on her youth— A Vice Premier accused of this...

‘Allentown Nights’ and Other Poetry by Sally Cook

The Society
November 29, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
23 Comments
. Allentown Nights Sometimes the nights were full of evil there. Relentless searchers drove the block most nights, While novices in bushes would prepare As Lady Scarface told them of their rights— Just how...

‘CDC: Urgent Directive’ by Mike Bryant

The Society
November 27, 2021
Covid-19, Culture, Humor, Poetry
32 Comments
. CDC: Urgent Directive Dillard “Sparky” Barker Is a Doc at CDC. It seems he’s done a study That is sad for you and me. “Accidental deaths are At an all-time scary high. And just because we care We...

‘What Foo Dogs Can Teach Us’: An Essay by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
November 26, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Essays, Poetry
19 Comments
. Many years ago I gave a talk at a scholarly conference at Queens College, C.U.N.Y. My section of the conference was dedicated to contemporary translation, and the bulk of the papers presented were deadly...

‘Guilty Thoughts’: Three Poems by Peter Hartley

The Society
November 26, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
37 Comments
. Guilty Thoughts I Through idle thoughts alone if no-one knows, We cannot hurt someone who never will Find out. No victim: none could ever spill The beans. Can we do any harm to those Among our foes we...
crow raven

A Poem for Thanksgiving: ‘My Raven’ by Roy E. Peterson

The Society
November 25, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry, The Raven
13 Comments
. My Raven My Raven is a different bird. I guess he learned a different word Than Poe’s that uttered “Nevermore.” My Raven tells me, “Furthermore.” “Alright” I said “what do you want? Why did...

A Poem for Thanksgiving: ‘A Song of Thanksgiving’ by Evan Mantyk

The Society
November 25, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
16 Comments
. A Song of Thanksgiving The pilgrims long ago faced strong __Attacks on their beliefs, And found a land they could command __Where faith would find relief. They journeyed long but still faced...

‘Permanent Power Plan’ and Other Poetry by Russel Winick

The Society
November 23, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
8 Comments
. Permanent Power Plan Scene: While Joe Biden is taking notes, the Statue of Liberty appears and gives him ideas. STATUE OF LIBERTYGive me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe...

On Joe Rogan’s Interview of Demi Lovato, by Jeff Kemper

The Society
November 23, 2021
Culture, Poetry
5 Comments
. Making Asses A meditation on pop star Demi Lovato’s expounding on her newfound sexuality in an interview on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast (28 March 2021). Are pop stars making asses of themselvesBy...

Three Perspectives from Samos: Sonnets by Margaret Coats

The Society
November 22, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
22 Comments
. Three Perspectives from Samos Poet’s note:  The Greek island of Samos, in the region of Ionia, was the reputed birthplace of the goddess Hera, and the scene of her marriage to Zeus.  It was also the...

A Poem on Transgenderism and Truth: ‘Reality—Plan B’ by James A. Tweedie

The Society
November 21, 2021
Culture, Poetry
19 Comments
. Reality—Plan B If you don’t like the world the way it is, And think that “he” should be the same as “she,” And “hers” be interchangeable with “his,” Then come up with a new...

‘A Knot of Ought Nots’ and Other Poetry by Leland James

The Society
November 21, 2021
Beauty, Children's, Culture, Poetry
3 Comments
. A Knot of Ought Nots A bright blue canoe atop of Mount Crumble, canoes can be tippy; down it might tumble —ought not to be there! The cat in galoshes and plaid underwear eating fish tacos in Dad’s...

A Poem for Kyle Rittenhouse: ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
November 20, 2021
Culture, Poetry
18 Comments
. Don’t Tread on Me For Kyle Rittenhouse, acquitted on November 19, the feast day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, patroness of the falsely accused. Two enemies you faced down in a fight: Canaille of leftist...

A Poem on Enes Kanter Standing up to the CCP, by Damian Robin

The Society
November 18, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Human Rights in China, Poetry
10 Comments
. On the Question of Enes Kanter How do heroes take a stand above the skyline? How face off sharp machinery that spades the earth, Converting humans into demons by the roots— Machines that grind distinctive...

Four Sonnets on Traditional Dance, by Evan Mantyk

The Society
November 18, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Homer, Poetry
19 Comments
. I. The Blacksmith God Forges Scenes on Achilles’ Shield after Homer’s Iliad Book 18 The hammer strikes! And glowing sparks fly out As Earth takes shape and then the flowing seas, The sun, the moon, the...

‘One Miracle After Another’ and Other Poetry by Brian Yapko

The Society
November 17, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
28 Comments
. One Miracle After Another A misty morning greeted by the sun Whose dappled rays arouse the drowsing Earth; The grandeur in the web a spider’s spun; A mother’s tearful joy for a safe birth; The giddy...

‘Old? Hell No!’ by Norma Pain

The Society
November 16, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
25 Comments
. Old? Hell No! in a thick British accent __It's bin three years an’ a day, __Since the Mrs. passed away, I still see ‘er face afore me smilin’ kindly. __For a while I wasn’t right, __I’d awake most...

‘Gender Reveal’ by Reid McGrath

The Society
November 15, 2021
Culture, Humor, Limerick, Poetry
6 Comments
. We went to a gender reveal. And we had an exceptional meal. __But the host was forlorn __when she unhusked her corn. It was pink instead of blue-teal. Her emotions were on full display. They should have...

Reading [Classical] Poetry Will Save the World: Crisis Magazine

The Society
November 14, 2021
Culture, Essays, Poetry
5 Comments
. Below is an excerpt from a Crisis Magazine article "Reading Poetry Will Save the World" by Auguste Meyrat, published November 13, 2021. (The article was passed to me by poet Joe Tessitore.) . For those who...

‘Racial Idiocy’ and Other Poetry by Russel Winick

The Society
November 14, 2021
Culture, Poetry
20 Comments
. Racial Idiocy My son was on a city team,__Where two kids caught my eye:Stefon---warm and articulate,__And Marcus---risk deemed high. I thought that I’d invite them to__My law firm for a day,And offer---if...

On Three Pre-Raphaelite Paintings, by Peter Hartley

The Society
November 12, 2021
Art, Beauty, Culture, Ekphrastic, Poetry
52 Comments
. . The Hireling Shepherd painting by William Holman Hunt This comely wench was Emma Watkins, she Who sat for Hunt in eighteen fifty-two. Too unaffected she, she never knew What lay beyond the brink, beyond...

On World Leaders Falling Asleep at the U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow: COP26

The Society
November 12, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry, The Environment
7 Comments
. At the COP26 We all have piled up at the COP,For in a day the World may stop!No really, that’s what voters sayAnd that’s enough, so I’m here today. We must turn up or all goes pop—And yet I find my...

For Veterans Day and Remembrance Sunday: ‘Where Poppies Blow’ by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
November 11, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
22 Comments
. Today I feel the stirrings of the Dead In crimson-littered fields where poppies blow. I hear embittered groans and gasps of dread From churning earth neath crosses row on row. Today our freedoms fade along...

‘From a Classified Location in England’: A Veteran’s Day Poem by Brian Yapko

The Society
November 11, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
33 Comments
. From a Classified Location in England Dear Jim---my son---I write from far away. From England, Spring of 1944. June first! That means you’re six years old today! So happy birthday, son! And many...

‘Colours of War’ by Paul A. Freeman

The Society
November 11, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
20 Comments
. Colours of War What colour was the war to end all wars?We’ve watched as men, in grainy black and white,go o’er the top to face the chomping jawsof curtain fire and shrapnel’s iron bite.And when the...

A Poem for Veteran’s Day 2021, by Roy E. Peterson

The Society
November 11, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
15 Comments
. The Soldier Keeps the Wolf at Bay The soldier keeps the wolf at bay So we may never see it. That is why the young today Simply don’t believe it. You say “We see no wolf out there? So why should we...
  1. 31
  2. 32
  3. 33
  4. 34
  5. 35
  6. 36
  7. 37
  1. Margaret Coats on The Society of Classical Poets 2025 Haiku CompetitionJuly 6, 2025

    Thank you, Guy Graybill, for these haiku. Hope you are no longer confused, thanks to Mike Bryant's explanation. And thank…

  2. Gigi Ryan on ‘The Playland’: A Poem by Shamik BanerjeeJuly 5, 2025

    Dear Shamik, Oh, that more children knew the joy the children in your poem knew! I resonate with your "resuscitated…

  3. Chris Lipscombe on The Society of Classical Poets 2025 Haiku CompetitionJuly 5, 2025

    Autumn nights grow cold While travellers sip their tea — Red moon, aeroplane. Red-hot pokers stand Proud against the horizon…

  4. James A. Tweedie on A Poem on the Ghost Town Bodie, by James A. TweedieJuly 5, 2025

    Margaret, What you say is very true. I will be driving, hiking and fly fishing in some of those areas…

  5. James A. Tweedie on A Poem on the Ghost Town Bodie, by James A. TweedieJuly 5, 2025

    Gigi, you have a marvelous wit about you and I believe you would very much enjoy a visit to Bodie!…

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Daily Poems

Subscribe to receive updates in your email inbox

poetry/benson brown/reading

Categories

  • Acrostic
  • Alexandroid
  • Alliterative
  • Art
  • Beauty
  • Best Poems
  • Blank Verse
  • Chant Royal
  • Chaucer
  • Children's
  • Classical Poets Live
  • Clerihew
  • Covid-19
  • Culture
  • Dante
  • Deconstructing Communism
  • Education
  • Ekphrastic
  • Epic
  • Epigrams and Proverbs
  • Essays
  • Featured
  • Found Poem
  • From the Society
  • Haiku and Senryu
  • High School Submissions
  • Homer
  • Human Rights in China
  • Humor
  • Interviews
  • Limerick
  • Love Poems
  • Music
  • Pantoum
  • Performing Arts
  • Poetry
  • Poetry Challenge
  • Poetry Contests
  • Poetry Forms
  • Popular Poetry Archives
  • Readings
  • Reviews
  • Rhupunt
  • Riddles
  • Rondeau
  • Rondeau Redoublé
  • Rondel
  • Rubaiyat
  • Sapphic Verse
  • Satire
  • Science
  • Sestina
  • Shakespeare
  • Shape Poems
  • Short Stories
  • Song Lyrics
  • Symposium
  • Terrorism
  • Terza Rima
  • The Environment
  • The Raven
  • Translation
  • Triolet
  • Video
  • Villanelle

Poetry Archive

  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • Poetry Resources
  • Poetry Readings
  • High School Poetry
  • Translation
  • Poetry Contests
  • Poetry Forms
  • From the Society
  • Poetry Archive
  • Education
  • Humor
  • Reviews
  • About Us
  • The Raven
  • Riddles
  • Journal
  • Members
  • Terms of Use
  • The Society of Classical Poets © 2024