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Culture

‘ A Meditation on Mohonk Ridge’ by Nathan Cayea

The Society
July 9, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
4 Comments
  When the wind blows true through the land Rustled leaves hold trees that withstand Tempered gusts with vicious intent. So long lives the day when air’s spent Upon the ridge: that jagged...

‘Anasazi’ and Other Poetry by C. David Hay

The Society
July 3, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
4 Comments
Anasazi Mesa castles in the sky Where paintbrush blooms and eagles fly. A people's passage marked in stone; Artifacts of flint and bone. Cliffy cities - vanished host, Sanctum haunt of hawk and...

A Donald Trump Clerihew and Other Poetry by Dave Martin

The Society
June 28, 2016
Culture, Humor, Poetry
2 Comments
Related Content 'Trump' Presidential Prophecy Poem by Nostradamus Donald Trump (A Clerihew*) Donald “The Donald” Trump Surprisingly took to the political stump What is, perhaps, not as great a...

‘Cribbed Agency’ and Other Poetry by Frank De Canio

The Society
June 27, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
2 Comments
Cribbed Agency (After a grating entrée) No matter how I madly strove to make sense of the garlic clove the waitress gave me with my plate, it simply made me more irate. And thus, like a rambunctious...

‘Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach’ and Other Poetry by Alec Ream

The Society
June 25, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
2 Comments
. . Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach Crack of stone for rest and bed, Wrack of storm unpressed I tread, Sun and proud and bright and gold; Dun and shroud of night, I hold. . . Fraternal I have some friends I got...

‘Son of Europe’ by Carlos Perona Calvete

The Society
June 23, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
6 Comments
So turn whereto it dies, Pulse of a draining sun: The face of daylight’s guise The yield that night has won. See on the far-west front, Goes trotting godly fame: The bull called occident. His white...

‘2016 Primaries’ and Other Poetry by John W. Steele

The Society
June 7, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry, The Environment
2016 Primaries This season, Mr. Trump’s a raging wildfire, a storm ignited by reality TV, fodder for anyone who likes good satire. He’s poised to win as far as I can see. The exit polls are making me...

‘The Lady and the Unicorn’ by Dylan Schrader

The Society
June 5, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
1 Comment
Gaunt fades the twilight, nearly gone, a weary world wearing thin Since last the unremembered sun smiled upon the land below, And sluggish sinks the eventide, smothering all warmth and light, Until, at...

On the 27th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre: Three Poets Speak

The Society
June 4, 2016
Culture, Human Rights in China, Poetry
6 Comments
Post your Tiananmen Square poems in the comments section below.   Tiananmen By James Fenton, Hong Kong, 15 June 1989 Tianamen Is broad and clean And you can’t tell Where the dead have...

‘Don’t Feed the Trolls’ by Alan Jankowski

The Society
June 3, 2016
Culture, Humor, Poetry
3 Comments
To some the world revolves around them, And nothing else can matter. They’ll do anything to reach that end, Including endless idle chatter. They walk around like “Hey look at me.” And are only...

‘Go Forth, Graduates!’ and Other Poetry by Ron L. Hodges

The Society
June 1, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry
2 Comments
Go Forth, Graduates! To all you graduates, fare well! This world is yours today. Don’t follow the masses who sell Their minds or don cliché For meaning. The sky is crimson But not dark, the...

‘A Chinese Epic, Chapter I’ by Evan Mantyk

The Society
May 12, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Epic, Human Rights in China, Poetry
5 Comments
Chapter I: Arrival in Beijing Inspired by real events   Sing to me, Muse, who flies through Heaven’s realms, Sing of that night when terror swept the land And peaceful practitioners of Falun...

‘In the Lotus Pose’ and Other Poetry by Bruce Dale Wise

The Society
May 1, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
7 Comments
In the Lotus Pose By Uwe Carl Diebes At first, he was uncomfortable in the lotus pose, but as he sat down carefully, his upper spine arose. Though startled where he found himself, he gradu'lly...

‘Unripe’ and Other Poetry by Nicholas Froumis

The Society
April 27, 2016
Culture, Humor, Poetry
3 Comments
Unripe Deceived are we by the state of the skin, when overly reliant on our eyes. Of greater concern is what lies within, under the surface we find the true prize. A gentle squeeze applied to test the...

On the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s Death

The Society
April 26, 2016
Culture, Poetry, Shakespeare
2 Comments
William Shakespeare is believed to have died on April 23, 1616. Post your commemorative poems in the comments section or email to [email protected]. Remembering Shakespeare By Dusty...
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‘Storyteller’ and Other Poetry by Michael Harmon

The Society
April 11, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
1 Comment
Storyteller We sit around the fire. The storyteller drones, until his words expire in silence like the stones. Primeval darkness frames the flower-yellow flames enlightening our faces. Like...

‘Far From Home, First Dream in Months’ by Andrew Szilvasy

The Society
March 30, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
2 Comments
August 13, 2012 I dreamt last night of singing with Li Po. (Or is he now sleeping, dreaming of me?) How much we drank… The world all vertigo… He brought his ch’in.  It was life’s apogee. Yet...

Sonnets II & III by Justin T. Monelt

The Society
March 28, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
1 Comment
Sonnet II The spark which lights my innermost desire,     whose flame burns fierce in Spirit and in vein, your blinding glory makes my heart aspire     to grasp the...
poem/sale/culture

‘Dunblane Cathedral’: A Poem on the 20th Anniversary of a Massacre, by Joseph Charles MacKenzie

The Society
March 26, 2016
Alliterative, Beauty, Culture, Poetry
6 Comments
. Dunblane Cathedral On the massacre of sixteen children and their teacher at the Dunblane Primary School near Stirling, Scotland, March 13, 1996 LOVE’s light lost the bleak night breathes a black breeze of...

‘Metaphysical Mortar’ and Other Poetry by Alec Ream

The Society
March 22, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Ekphrastic, Poetry
4 Comments
. . Metaphysical Mortar Between the cobalt and the blueGlean gestalt and sum of trueAll and each be more than sixWall and reach be more than bricks .   Photo by A Sclamberg & H Hall . . Tahoe Navy,...

‘A Fifteen-Year-Old’s Response to Frost’ and Other Poetry by Janice Canerdy

The Society
March 16, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Education, Humor, Poetry
3 Comments
  A Fifteen-Year-Old's Response to Frost "This 'pome' don't make NO sense! What junk!" the scowling students muttered. "Two roads in the woods!" one hissed. "Such bunk"-- opinions rudely...

‘Horses’ and Other Poetry by Ruth Hill

The Society
March 10, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
Horses Tell me what power hits the ground, heard a mile away, ear to mound? Earth’s tympanic membrane resounds; like kettle drums, the hoof beat pounds! Or what, when they run together, frightens every...

‘Apes or Angels’ and Other Poetry by Ron L. Hodges

The Society
March 6, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
2 Comments
Apes or Angels Humans, some say, aren’t much more than an ape— A reasoning beast, quintessence of dust. Others believe we’re of angelic shape. Hungry for morsels, we scrabble and scrape, Leaving...

‘The Great’ and Other Poetry and Translations by William Ruleman

The Society
February 27, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Translation
1 Comment
The Great The great are often shunned by their own age, While even the noble dead are sometimes mocked, And eras are damned when none who sees is shocked By scads of scorn spat on a sacred page. Today...

‘Ode to a Soldier’s Wife’ by Dusty Grein

The Society
February 25, 2016
Culture, Human Rights in China, Poetry
5 Comments
Ode to a Soldier’s Wife I can see your tears are streaming, in the lamp light they are gleaming; How I wish that I were dreaming, and that duty hadn’t called. Through the wretched bars we’re...

‘Counterfeit Martyrdom’ and Other Poetry by Basil Fillis

The Society
February 21, 2016
Culture, Poetry, Riddles, Terrorism
5 Comments
Counterfeit Martyrdom Evil terrorists 'round the world Reject God's law, "Thou shalt not kill." Minds indoctrinated, furled up in a cold and savage will! Real martyrs are the brave who die adhering to...

‘Valentine’ and Other Poetry by Michael Curtis

The Society
February 14, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
1 Comment
  Valentine The name of Spring is ever fresh and fair;     Her sound is ever gentle, ever true; The Spring is like the songbird of the air     Who sweetly...

‘Models for Configuring Friendship’ and Other Poetry by Lynn Veach Sadler

The Society
February 12, 2016
Culture, Humor, Poetry
1 Comment
Models for Configuring Friendship A knight for whom the Grail is wholly you; the one who greets you sans your power, might; who never counts the favors that accrue; adheres to you whatever is your...

‘Children of the Stars’ by Elizabeth A. Britton

The Society
February 11, 2016
Culture, Poetry
  The lit brush burns oil on the canvas; Ancient word breathes stories of Atlantis; The silent stone speaks more than us all; Mortal mysteries that hold us in thrall. Throughout the ages, man has...

‘Xerxes’ and Other Poetry by A.R. Harmon

The Society
February 9, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Human Rights in China, Poetry
Xerxes My power does lie In hue of the sky In the refined folds of God’s estate My throne I have carved Of sapphire hard And I crowned it with God’s ark of Jade My hosts of legions Number in...

Poetry in Traditional Celtic and Bardic Forms by Elizabeth Spencer Spragins

The Society
January 30, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Education, Human Rights in China, Poetry, Rhupunt
1 Comment
Sedona (A Rhupunt) Deep shadows fade Red rock cascade To purpled jade— Sun sparks ignite. Stone sentries stare Sightless through air At treadless stair Spanning the height. No mortals...

‘The Gathering’ and Other Poetry by Brian Mc Cabe

The Society
January 27, 2016
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
The Gathering Upon the 400th anniversary of the founding of the town of Virginia in Ireland Oh town of the Virgin Queen I hear you call me back To your ancient Way of Woods following Vikings track Your...

‘Father and Son’ and Other Poetry by Reid McGrath

The Society
January 19, 2016
Culture, Poetry
2 Comments
Father and Son I. The Modern Daedalus I want you to carry yourself with pride: Stand up straight, with your shoulders back; don’t slouch; and yet, also, don’t let hubris deride you. Be humble. Get...

10 Greatest Poems Ever Written

The Society
January 7, 2016
Best Poems, Culture, Education, Essays, Poetry, Popular Poetry Archives
266 Comments
Updated: April 26, 2024 10 Greatest Poems Ever Written An Ambitious "Best Poems" List Limited to Poems Originally Written in English and of 50 Lines or Less by Evan Mantyk What is poetry? What is great...

‘The Circus’ by Enri Vilmos

The Society
January 5, 2016
Culture, Humor, Poetry
5 Comments
The band struck up for the comical clowns! They all sported wigs, red noses, and frowns And from painted mouths uttered sad cries. Then the fools threw water and custard pies In riotous ribaldry: mad, bad,...

‘To Time and Family’ by Shailyn Sooter

The Society
January 1, 2016
Culture, Poetry
Tender is the night shared in close caress With candied kiss and floral purr, no less. The pristine perfection of unclaimed time Drenches air with an ephemeral chime. Considering not money as pay off, The...

‘Hints from the Moon (Monday)’ and Other Poetry by E.P. Fisher

The Society
December 21, 2015
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
1 Comment
Hints from the Moon (Monday) Beginning with zero, hints from the moon Going through phases, ripe in the womb; Time out of nothing, pared in the night, Planet of sorrow tilting to light; Retrograde...

‘Coming Out,’ a Holocaust Villanelle by Susanna Rich

The Society
December 12, 2015
Culture, Poetry, Villanelle
Free me from wars? Make my debut? Oh, Mr. Handsome G.I. Joe— your face and a blanket won’t do. Sift flour from Mama’s ashes, melt glue from Papa’s bones. Knead them into dough— free of wars,...

‘Ballad’ by U. Carew Delibes

The Society
December 6, 2015
Culture, Poetry
4 Comments
The rustic minuet's small step has since been swept away by all the modern pop and pep and fizzle of the day. One of the first to introduce it into music's lair was Frenchman Jean Baptiste Lully of Louis'...

‘The Return of Fine Art’ by Hoffmann Zhu

The Society
November 30, 2015
Beauty, Culture, High School Submissions, Poetry
This poem was inspired by Shen Yun Performing Arts.   Bleak and somber is the flavor du jour; Modernism pervades all spheres of art; Artists lacking virtue make it a bore, People wait for a...
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  1. Sonia Grant on The Society of Classical Poets 2025 Haiku CompetitionJuly 8, 2025

    Pregnant ewes grazing Grass shivers, southerly breeze Spring biding her time Stones grind underfoot Driftwood litters onyx sand Muddy sea…

  2. Jill Garrett on The Society of Classical Poets 2025 Haiku CompetitionJuly 8, 2025

    Veridian splendor In the wilds, turquoise the sea Face up to the sun Drizzle, pour and pelt Winter rain -…

  3. Yael on Prologue in Heaven from ‘Faust’ by Goethe, Translated by Josh OlsonJuly 8, 2025

    That's a very impressive translation! I love reading Goethe and I never thought it would be possible to translate him…

  4. Joseph S. Salemi on Lyrics of Oliver Goldsmith, Translated into Latin by Joseph S. SalemiJuly 8, 2025

    Thank you for your comments. I've translated several foreign language poems into English for this website, but this is the…

  5. Cheryl A Corey on Lyrics of Oliver Goldsmith, Translated into Latin by Joseph S. SalemiJuly 8, 2025

    To translate any foreign language poem into English makes for an interesting challenge. As far as I know, yours is…

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