The Oxford Book of American Verse

Greetings friends,

I thought it was about time I get to creating another post. I wasn't sure what to post about and while looking for something else in my basement I came across this:

I have no idea where I got it. Maybe a find at the Goodwill Store or a yard sale. Maybe a left-over from my mother-in-law. She loved poetry too. All I know is finding this little book has been a joy. The first page reads:

The Oxford Book of American Verse

"Chosen and with Introduction by F.O. Matthiessen"

New York

Oxford University Press

The Copyright is 1950 and this book is a third printing dated 1952.

The Table of Contents contains a list of 50 poets including the likes of Conrad Aiken, John Peale Bishop, E.E. Cummings, Emily Dickinson, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Edgar Allen Poe, Carl Sandburgh and many I admit never having heard of. Of course I skipped straight to Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets.

'I felt a cleavage in my mind'
I felt a cleavage in my mind
As if my brain had split,
I tried to match it, seam by seam,
But could not make them fit.

The thought behind I strove to join
Unto the thought before,
But sequence ravelled out of reach
Like balls upon a floor.

I have felt exactly the same way before and I'm sure my Bobbie has. Oh and I must share this that Emily penned as I found it rather humorous.

'Faith is a fine invention'
Faith is a fine invention
For gentlemen who see,
But microscopes are prudent
In an emergency!

'Tis true, 'tis true; ah but faith and a good prayer do help too.

So since we are on the subject of poetry how about this. Leave a comment and tell me who your favorite poet is. I'll see if I can find a passage for you from my book.

Oh and don't forget to enter my giveaway, then you'll be reading some of my poetry too. Not nearly as good as the poets in my book but I hope you won't be too disappointed. My giveaway deadline is August 31st. Please comment for the giveaway on that post and tell me who your favorite poet is on this post. Fun! Fun!

Many Blessings,

Tess

Poets Reading Update

Greetings this fine Veterans Day. If you missed my poetry reading today you can still hear me and other wonderful poets and authors read by logging onto http://www.internetvoicesradio.com/ Enter the site and look to the left and click on What's Happening. On the next page scroll down until you find the list of topics. You are looking for:
November 11 30 Minute Poetry with Dianne Tegarten
The entire show is there for anyone to listen to at anytime. I have to say this was a wonderful experience. I felt out of place and humbled by the quality of some of the other poets and yet when it was my turn to read it just flowed. You must listen to Christian read his poetry. He writes poetry in the written word style and it is meant to be heard with jazz in the background. Even without the music I felt the jazz. He is a wonderful poet and speaker. I was amazed at how easy this was and if you write poetry and have never read it out loud to yourself or another, please do. What you hear in your head and how it sounds when you read it may be the same and it may not be. I had to read my selections out loud several times to really get the tone I was hoping for. I was so nervous but listening back to it I don't think I came across that way. I am so grateful to Diane for giving me this opportunity. I hope you will find some time to make a cup of tea and tune in and listen to this wonderful broadcast.
Blessings to you all,
Tess