[graciegirl]

I remember this one.

Hats off. along the street there comes
a blare of bugles a ruffle of drums
and loyal hearts are beating high.
Hats off. The Flag is passing by!

[NottaVillager]

My father is my favorite poet.

[Halibut]

What about Allen Ginsberg or Lawrence Ferlinghetti? I went through a period in my teens when I would read the hell out of the Beat poets.

The poem that has most struck a personal chord with me and that I still have memorized is Ernest Dowson's Cynara (Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae).

I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind,
Flung roses, roses riotously with the throng,
Dancing, to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, all the time, because the dance was long:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.

[Carl in Tampa]

My favorite poet is Basho. Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉), born in 1644 in Japan, is probably the greatest master of haiku.

I read his poems in translation, of course, but even in English they still retain the pungent word pictures typical of the haiku style.

I have also gotten a great deal of pleasure from reading the works of other Japanese and Chinese poets who specialize in vivid word pictures drawn from nature and human experience.

---------

I also enjoy the works of a variety of American and English poets, many of whom have already been mentioned in this thread.

Strangely, although I thoroughly enjoy Shakespeare's plays, I don't care for his poetry.

.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Originally Posted by Halibut

What about Allen Ginsberg or Lawrence Ferlinghetti? I went through a period in my teens when I would read the hell out of the Beat poets.

The poem that has most struck a personal chord with me and that I still have memorized is Ernest Dowson's Cynara (Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae).

I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind,
Flung roses, roses riotously with the throng,
Dancing, to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, all the time, because the dance was long:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.

I remember attending a reading of "Howl" by Ginsberg himself in the late '60s-eary 70's.
"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving
hysterical naked,
dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry
fix, "
I still am stirred by poetry and I do think that Shakeaspeare"s plays are poetry in iambic pentameter.

[skyguy79]

I've never been much for poetry, but I would have to say that my favorite poet was my late uncle. All through my life he was an inspiration to me.

He was career Army serving 23 years and retired as a Sergeant Major. He was always a distance away from me and I rarely got to see him. However, he never forgot me and always showed it. As a child he would send me something regularly or bring it on the rare visits. It could be his old uniform stripes following the numerous times he was promoted or the occasional magic trick or metal puzzle. When I became an adult he would occasionally write me a poem and send it to me.

Just 18 months before his death he wrote a poem that was included in his Mass of Christian Burial Testimonial. I'd like to share that poem with you:

My Legacy

Some days were good... some days were sad;
But Lord, I gave it all I had.
With spirit abounding, to carry my "cross,"
Some battles were won... some battles were lost.

I reflect on my past, on most every chore...
Then contemplate: "Could I have done more?"
But, to look back would be a formidable task...
What lies in the future, is difficult to ask.

My time and talents were "gifts" to invest...
To do my best and let God do the rest.
Giving of my "treasurers" will truly beam...
Like helping others achieve a goal or a dream.

How humble to realize, at each new dawn:
All my yesterdays are forever gone.
Thus, it's today I must act and not remain mum,
For my "tomorrow" may never come.

My "highway to heaven' and happiness,
Lies in saint-like deeds... with a very small "s"...
To give life's journey my best each day,
In doing great things in a very small way.

Life's journey remains arduous, but I readily admit...
To rest when I must... but never to quit.
By selfless actions, I can foresee:
My Legacy of Love to God and my country!

Ezio M. Tozzi - November 2011

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

I've never been much for poetry, but I would have to say that my favorite poet was my late uncle. All through my life he was an inspiration to me.

He was career Army serving 23 years and retired as a Sergeant Major. He was always a distance away from me and I rarely got to see him. However, he never forgot me and always showed it. As a child he would send me something regularly or bring it on the rare visits. It could be his old uniform stripes following the numerous times he was promoted or the occasional magic trick or metal puzzle. When I became an adult he would occasionally write me a poem and send it to me.

Just 18 months before his death he wrote a poem that was included in his Mass of Christian Burial Testimonial. I'd like to share that poem with you:

My Legacy

Some days were good... some days were sad;
But Lord, I gave it all I had.
With spirit abounding, to carry my "cross,"
Some battles were won... some battles were lost.

I reflect on my past, on most every chore...
Then contemplate: "Could I have done more?"
But, to look back would be a formidable task...
What lies in the future, is difficult to ask.

My time and talents were "gifts" to invest...
To do my best and let God do the rest.
Giving of my "treasurers" will truly beam...
Like helping others achieve a goal or a dream.

How humble to realize, at each new dawn:
All my yesterdays are forever gone.
Thus, it's today I must act and not remain mum,
For my "tomorrow" may never come.

My "highway to heaven' and happiness,
Lies in saint-like deeds... with a very small "s"...
To give life's journey my best each day,
In doing great things in a very small way.

Life's journey remains arduous, but I readily admit...
To rest when I must... but never to quit.
By selfless actions, I can foresee:
My Legacy of Love to God and my country!

Ezio M. Tozzi - November 2011

Thank you Joe.

Beautiful.

[gatherer47]

Shel Silverstein

[Lauren Sweeny]

I would read Shel Silverstein to my kindergarten students for a group sitting time. They enjoyed the silliness. Later we would share our thoughts and individual ideas about the poem. Students would dictate to me their creative poetry and draw a picture . These master pieces would then be displayed and later proudly given to their l parents.did the same with classical music , creative movement and art.

[Loudoll]

I loved reading the poetry and thank you for going to the trouble to post it. God bless you.

[Loudoll]

Bob Dylan and Dylan Thomas

[Uptown Girl]

Originally Posted by Lauren Sweeny

I would read Shel Silverstein to my kindergarten students for a group sitting time. They enjoyed the silliness. Later we would share our thoughts and individual ideas about the poem. Students would dictate to me their creative poetry and draw a picture . These master pieces would then be displayed and later proudly given to their l parents.did the same with classical music , creative movement and art.

Oh wow- What wonderful seeds you planted!
You sound like the kind of teacher one fondly remembers for a lifetime.

[slipcovers]

This may be a little offtopic, these are the lyrics to a beautiful song sung by Irishman Daniel O'Donnell (youtube)

Special Absent Friends

The time has come to say goodnight
For every road must end
To the ones who care, and always there
Our very special absent friends

Let's say goodnight to those we love
And maybe shed a tear
But before we close, think of those
We love but cant be here

Let's raise our hand to absent friends
For every road must end
You'll always be there in our hearts
Our special absent friends

And when it's time for us to go
And our long journey ends
We'll never be alone you see
We'll be with absent friends

So, let's raise our hand to absent friends
For every road must end
You'll always be there , in our hearts
Our special absent friends

[eweissenbach]

Bob Dylan, Shel Silverstein, Carl Sandburg, Ogden Nash, Leonard Cohen

[Lauren Sweeny]

Song lyrics are very poetic. Some of the early ( think 70