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    • 'Variation on a Poem by Blok' by Stephen M. Dickey

      The Society
      December 7, 2024
      Beauty, Poetry
      7 Comments
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    • ‘When Prices Surge’: A Poem by Paul A. Freeman

      The Society
      August 23, 2025
      4
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      The Society
      August 23, 2025
      1
    • Inspiring Muse Poetry Challenge

      The Society
      August 22, 2025
      37
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      The Society
      August 21, 2025
      4
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      August 21, 2025
      11
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      The Society
      August 20, 2025
      11
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      The Society
      July 25, 2021
      Beauty, Culture, Humor, Poetry, Poetry Contests
      30 Comments
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      The Society
      July 26, 2025
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      June 21, 2025
      644
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      May 13, 2025
      1
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      March 31, 2025
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      February 1, 2025
      28
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  • ‘When Prices Surge’: A Poem by Paul A. Freeman

    The Society
    August 23, 2025
    Culture, Poetry
    4 Comments
  • ‘The Capital’: A Poem on Washington, DC by Bruce Dale Wise

    The Society
    August 23, 2025
    Poetry, Satire
    1 Comment
  • Inspiring Muse Poetry Challenge

    The Society
    August 22, 2025
    Love Poems, Poetry, Poetry Challenge
    37 Comments
  • ‘Gull’: A Poem by Jim Hurford

    The Society
    August 21, 2025
    Culture, Poetry
    4 Comments
  • ‘Shackled’ and Other Poetry by Gigi Ryan

    The Society
    August 21, 2025
    Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Satire, Villanelle
    11 Comments
  • ‘Farewell Colbert’: A Poem by Warren Bonham

    The Society
    August 20, 2025
    Culture, Poetry
    11 Comments
  • ‘There Was a Time I Tried to Love the Sun’: A Poem by Patricia Rogers Crozier

    The Society
    August 19, 2025
    Love Poems, Poetry
    9 Comments
  • A Video Poetry Reading of ‘The Settlers’ by Martin Rizley

    The Society
    August 19, 2025
    Poetry, Readings, Symposium, Video
    4 Comments
  • ‘Umbra’ and Other Cloud Poetry by Adam Sedia

    The Society
    August 18, 2025
    Beauty, Poetry
    16 Comments
  • ‘News of a Coup’ and Other Poetry by Susan Jarvis Bryant

    The Society
    August 17, 2025
    Culture, Poetry, Satire
    30 Comments
  • ‘To the Ancient Mariner’ and Other Poems by Brian Yapko

    The Society
    August 17, 2025
    Culture, Poetry
    24 Comments
  • ‘Pointless Poems’ by James A. Tweedie

    The Society
    August 16, 2025
    Humor, Poetry
    14 Comments

‘We Return’ by Christian J. Weaver

The Society
September 19, 2021
Beauty, Poetry
4 Comments
. Raise your quill to the sky like a madman’s harpoon— Super tempered in blood and the blackest of wine Is the blade of our mania, flashing and...

‘Biden Blues’ for the 4th Worldwide Demonstration for Freedom, by Jack DesBois

The Society
September 19, 2021
Culture, Music, Poetry
24 Comments
. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhNIScHrUOM&t=4s . Biden Blues When I was just a kid,I’d shout and I’d refuse.My mama taught me, be...

‘El Chapo’ and ‘Jack the Hat’ by Jeff Eardley

The Society
September 18, 2021
Humor, Poetry
24 Comments
. El Chapo El Chapo was a criminal, a very nasty bloke. A dealer in Amphetamines, along with Crack and Coke. He plied his trade in Mexico, where guns...

‘California Wildfires’ to the Tune of ‘California Dreamin,’ by Margaret Coats

The Society
September 17, 2021
Culture, Humor, Music, Poetry
25 Comments
. California Wildfires to the tune of “California Dreamin’” All her landscape bronzed, Her breezes ashen gray, What can Cali dream...

‘Cancel Madame Butterfly’ by Brian Yapko

The Society
September 17, 2021
Culture, Humor, Performing Arts, Poetry, Villanelle
30 Comments
. Cancel Madame Butterfly today! Such racist music cannot soothe the soul. Let’s never show another hate-filled play. The King and I must also...

‘The Lyme Brain’s Refrain’ and Other Poetry by Jack DesBois

The Society
September 16, 2021
Children's, Culture, Humor, Poetry
14 Comments
. The Lyme Brain’s Refrain, or At the Cupboard What am I doing? What am I doing? What am I, what am I, what am I doing? I’m doing...

Complete the poem: ‘The Tyranny of Fear and Lies…’

The Society
September 15, 2021
Culture, Poetry, Poetry Contests
47 Comments
This challenge comes from New York poet Joe Tessitore. He asks you to use the following couplet in a poem. Post your version in the comments section...

‘Oh No… UFOs’ by Mike Bryant

The Society
September 14, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
21 Comments
. "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless...

‘Regrets and Repercussions’ by Peter Hartley

The Society
September 13, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
27 Comments
. Regrets and Repercussions Inconsequential are the things we do Sometimes, or things we don’t, we don’t know why. So will we wonder far too late...

A Poem on Vaccine Mandates: ‘Freedom Blighters’ by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
September 12, 2021
Covid-19, Culture, Humor, Poetry
51 Comments
. “Of all the tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.” ---C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock:...

On An Australian Desert Town: ‘The Station View Itch’ by David Watt

The Society
September 12, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
16 Comments
. Where meagre rains are tinted red From dust the Western winds have borne, The publican to stranger said: “We’re fortunate that here is shorn A...
poem/cooper/culture

A Poem for Sept. 11, 2021: ‘Twenty Years’ by James A. Tweedie

The Society
September 11, 2021
Culture, Poetry, Terrorism
6 Comments
. Twenty years . . . So long ago as that? When fantasy became reality And falling human bodies turned to splat. Death in living color on...

Poetry for the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
September 11, 2021
Culture, Poetry, Rondeau, Terrorism
24 Comments
. Heroes Where are they now---the bold who brave The choke of smoke to ways that pave The path to breath beneath wide skies? Where are the ears that...

Two Literary Poems by James A. Tweedie

The Society
September 10, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Education, Humor, Poetry
9 Comments
. A Summary of Oedipus the King by Sophocles, and Notes This play, no doubt to Sophocles’ surprise, When first performed took only Second...

‘Future Shock’ and Other Poetry by S.A. Todd

The Society
September 9, 2021
Culture, Poetry
7 Comments
. Future Shock Our newfound World is happy, calm and clean The human factor, countered by machine. Where every thought is carefully processed and...

‘The World’s Greatest Love’ by Roy E. Peterson

The Society
September 8, 2021
Beauty, Love Poems, Poetry
13 Comments
. from Eternal Spring Once upon a time in space God contrived the human race, Gave two things to help us cope: One was love, the other hope. Man was...

Musings on Dali’s ‘Christ of St. John of the Cross,’ by Peter Hartley

The Society
September 7, 2021
Art, Beauty, Culture, Ekphrastic, Poetry
18 Comments
. I This crucifixion hides the anguish. Racked With pain, belied by bloodless hands and feet; Intolerable torments, they compete As muscles in that...

‘A Black Swan in Tiananmen Square’ by Susan Jarvis Bryant

The Society
September 6, 2021
Culture, Poetry
28 Comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw5AJQgDeQQ&feature=emb_imp_woyt . What can it mean---this swan of black? What cryptic codes must...
poem/coats/beauty

‘On Lonely Paths’ and Other Poetry by Martin Rizley

The Society
September 6, 2021
Beauty, Poetry
9 Comments
. On Lonely Paths On lonely paths I like to walk, beneath pure azure skies, Where white clouds stretch like streaks of chalk, and one lone eagle...

The 21 Best Haiku of 2021

The Society
September 5, 2021
Beauty, Best Poems, From the Society, Haiku and Senryu, Poetry, Poetry Contests
44 Comments
Winner and Runners-up of the Society of Classical Poets 2021 Haiku Competition Judged by Margaret Coats (see her remarks below) See all...

In Memory of Sean Howard: A Poem by James A. Tweedie

The Society
September 5, 2021
Beauty, Covid-19, Poetry
9 Comments
. Sean who passed away this week in Honolulu, Hawaii Although there are a few who’ll grieve and mourn, Who’ll celebrate his life and then move...

Thomas Jefferson, Poet: An Essay by Michael Curtis

The Society
September 5, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Essays, Poetry
4 Comments
. Most schoolgirls, street-people, attorneys, and Bachelors of Art are aware that Thomas Jefferson composed what is likely the most widely-known,...

‘Prayer of the Guilty Poet’ and Other Poetry by Joe Tessitore

The Society
September 4, 2021
Beauty, Humor, Poetry
14 Comments
. Prayer of the Guilty Poet Before I put these words to ink, Be still, my pen, and let me think. Are they the balm to expiate, Or bomb indeed, to...

‘Know How to Mow’ and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson

The Society
September 3, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
19 Comments
. Know How to Mow __You want to raise your rates, you say? __Your crying poor is killing me, __for what it’s worth.  Just yesterday, __when you...

A Poem in Honor of the 13 U.S. Servicemen Who Died in Afghanistan, by Bruce Dale Wise

The Society
September 2, 2021
Culture, Poetry
24 Comments
. With Coffins at the Dover Air Force Base: 29 August 2021 On Sunday, Biden traveled to the Dover Air Force Base to pay respect for thirteen service...

‘Allgibberish’ and Other Poetry by Phil S. Rogers

The Society
September 2, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
9 Comments
. Allgibberish (I Saw a Man Who Wasn't There) after “Antigonish” (“I Met a Man Who Wasn't There”) by William Hughes Mearns Yesterday in great...

The Society of Classical Poets 2022 Poetry Competition

The Society
September 1, 2021
From the Society, Poetry, Poetry Contests
17 Comments
. WINNERS ANNOUNCED HERE. "Select, all ye who write, a subject fit, A subject not too mighty for your wit! Before you lay your shoulders to the...

2022 High School Poetry Competition

The Society
September 1, 2021
From the Society, High School Submissions, Poetry, Poetry Contests
2 Comments
“Select, all ye who write, a subject fit, A subject not too mighty for your wit! Before you lay your shoulders to the wheel, Weigh well their...

2022 Poetry Translation Competition

The Society
September 1, 2021
From the Society, Poetry, Poetry Contests, Translation
“Select, all ye who write, a subject fit, A subject not too mighty for your wit! Before you lay your shoulders to the wheel, Weigh well their...
poem/anderson/afghanistan

‘The Afghan Plight’ by Satyananda Sarangi

The Society
August 31, 2021
Alexandroid, Culture, Poetry, Terrorism
20 Comments
. The starlit sky is filled with smoke ______and men succumb To dread, while folded hands invoke ______to overcome This awful plight; yet prayers...

A Translation of the Peach Garden Oath from Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The Society
August 31, 2021
Culture, Human Rights in China, Poetry, Translation
14 Comments
. The Peach Garden Oath This oath of fellowship is an iconic moment in the first chapter of the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, by...

A Vaccine Mandate Protest Song by Jack DesBois

The Society
August 30, 2021
Covid-19, Music, Poetry, Song Lyrics, Video
91 Comments
. Waking Up (Freedom Doesn't Come in a Can) A Protest Song Written and Performed by Jack DesBois I was lying in my bed, Waiting for the day to...

Neglected Gems: The Poetry of Walter de la Mare

The Society
August 30, 2021
Essays, Poetry
11 Comments
by Adam Sedia The life of Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) spans earthshattering changes in history and art. The England into which he was born was a...

‘Observations of a Former Victim’ and Other Poetry by Russel Winick

The Society
August 29, 2021
Culture, Poetry
16 Comments
. Observations of a Former Victim You may think me insensitive or witless, But more and more it seems the case these days, That victimhood is run up...

‘One or the Other’ by Norma Pain

The Society
August 28, 2021
Culture, Humor, Poetry
22 Comments
. “Make a decision,” is what me ma said, As she wearily plucked at each feather, ‘Er old gnarled fingers rough and red And clumsily workin’...

A Major Problem: An Essay by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
August 27, 2021
Culture, Essays, Poetry
89 Comments
. "American pragmatism insists that words are for use, not enjoyment; American puritanism insists that expression is a duty, not a pleasure."...

‘The Gospel According to Galahad’ by Julian Woodruff

The Society
August 27, 2021
Covid-19, Culture, Humor, Poetry
18 Comments
. The arrogant are all about these days. How disrespectful are their callous ways! They go about as freely as you please— No mask, no vaccine,...

Bedtime Prayer Poetry Challenge

The Society
August 26, 2021
Humor, Poetry, Poetry Challenge, Poetry Contests
108 Comments
. This challenge comes form poet James A. Tweedie: Perhaps the most familiar of all formal, English-language poems is the classic 18th century...

‘Funny How a Day Can Go So Slow’ by David D. Irby

The Society
August 25, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Rondel
18 Comments
. a rondel It's funny how a day can go so slow, and yet a year just simply seems to fly. We blink, and then another one goes by. Those winds of...

‘At the Temple of Yue Fei’ and Other Poetry by Talbot Hook

The Society
August 24, 2021
Beauty, Culture, Poetry
13 Comments
. At the Temple of Yue Fei Behind, a lake unstirring sleeps; Ahead, grey fog and budding leaves. A jade-green pool commands the heart, Beneath the...
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  1. Drilon Bajrami on ‘When Prices Surge’: A Poem by Paul A. FreemanAugust 23, 2025

    The price of EVERYTHING is soaring, as you so eloquently put it in verse, Paul. Even the price of a…

  2. Paul A. Freeman on ‘When Prices Surge’: A Poem by Paul A. FreemanAugust 23, 2025

    The chaos of dynamic pricing over the Oasis concerts really got my goat, Margaret. You're average punter just isn't treated…

  3. Joseph S. Salemi on ‘When Prices Surge’: A Poem by Paul A. FreemanAugust 23, 2025

    Prices can go up for several reasons. The first (as you say) is "when demand outstrips finite supply." This is…

  4. Margaret brinton on ‘When Prices Surge’: A Poem by Paul A. FreemanAugust 23, 2025

    The first morning showing at my local cinema is just eleven dollars. And our Oasis Center has free gallery shows.…

  5. Gigi Ryan on ‘Shackled’ and Other Poetry by Gigi RyanAugust 23, 2025

    I am glad this spoke to you. The repetition in Villanelles is so useful for prayers. The Psalms, too, use…

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