Tag Archives: memorizing poems

Autumn Movement

Carl Sandburg I cried over beautiful things knowing no beautiful thing lasts. The field of cornflower yellow is a scarf at the neck of the copper sunburned woman, the mother of the year, the taker of seeds. The northwest wind … Continue reading

Posted in Poems Memorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Poem Memory Tip # 3

Some forms of poetry have a specific number of words or syllables.  Most, or at least many, sonnets contain 14 lines, each with 10 syllables.  Knowing a pattern like the number of syllables in a line, or a particular rhyme … Continue reading

Posted in Poem Memorizing Tips and Articles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Firefly

Ogden Nash The firefly’s flame Is something for which science has no name I can think of nothing eerier Than flying around with an unidentified glow on a person’s posterior.

Posted in Poems Memorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Ant

Ogden Nash The ant has made himself illustrious Through constant industry industrious. So what? Would you be calm and placid If you were full of formic acid?

Posted in Poems Memorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The List of Poems I’ve memorized

This is an updated list of the poems I’ve memorized in alphabetical order of the poet’s first name.  In choosing poems to memorize, I sometimes select seasonally appropriate verse.  I also balance light with serious.  I memorize poems suited for … Continue reading

Posted in Poem Memorizing Tips and Articles, Poems Memorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dreams

Langston Hughes Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.

Posted in Poems Memorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Parting Kiss

Robert Burns Humid seal of soft affections, Tenderest pledge of future bliss, Dearest tie of young connections, Love’s first snowdrop, virgin kiss! Speaking silence, dumb confession, Passion’s birth, and infant’s play, Dove-like fondness, chaste concession, Glowing dawn of future day! … Continue reading

Posted in Poems Memorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The New Colossus

Emma Lazarus, 1883 Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and … Continue reading

Posted in Poems Memorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Trees

Joyce Kilmer I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy … Continue reading

Posted in Poems Memorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Drink With Something In It

Ogden Nash There is something about a Martini, A tingle remarkably pleasant; A yellow, a mellow Martini; I wish that I had one at present. There is something about a Martini, Ere the dining and dancing begin, And to tell … Continue reading

Posted in Poems Memorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment