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Subject: HERITAGE
Matches Found: 148

UPDATE command denied to user 'poetryex_users'@'localhost' for table `poetryex_poems`.`subcnt` 1950, by CHASE TWICHELL    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: 1950 was the perfect year to be born
Subject(s): Time; Life; Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


8:00 P. M., FARMHOUSE, by CAROL ELY HARPER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Thin high nose. Furrowed cheeks
Last Line: They listen respectfully.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Pioneers; Heritage; Heredity


A FAMILY RECORD, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Not to myself this breath of vesper song
Last Line: Take my last offering ere I cross to thee!
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Fathers & Sons; Heritage; Heredity


A FAR CRY FROM AFRICA, by DEREK WALCOTT    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A wind is ruffling the tawny pelt
Subject(s): Africa; African Americans - History; Ancestors & Ancestry; Black Heritage; Heritage; Heredity


A SERIOUS STEP LIGHTLY TAKEN, by ROBERT FROST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Between two burrs on the map
Last Line: And forty-five presidents
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Farm Life; Heritage; Heredity; Agriculture; Farmers


A WOMAN FROM CONNAUGHT, by ROBERT KELLY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My great-great-great-great-grandmother
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Connaught, Ireland; Family Life - Ireland; Grandparents; Heritage; Heredity; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers


AFRICA, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thus she had lain
Last Line: Although she has lain
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Black Heritage


ALBUM, by RON PADGETT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The mental pictures I have of my parents and grandparents and my childhood are
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Death; Heritage; Heredity; Dead, The


AN AMERICAN POEM, by EILEEN MYLES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I was born in boston in
Subject(s): Self; Gays & Lesbians; Ancestors & Ancestry; Boston; Social Classes; Social Commentaries; Poetry & Poets; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men; Heritage; Heredity; Caste


ANCESTRESS, by MARGUERITE JANVRIN ADAMS    Poem Text                    
First Line: When I become as history, - long - past history
Last Line: When our great-grandson bends above my hand.
Alternate Author Name(s): Adams, M.j.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Future; History; Heritage; Heredity; Historians


ANCESTRY, by JULIA CRISWELL    Poem Text                    
First Line: She delves among old books. Old photographs
Last Line: About ancestral kin she never knew.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


ATLANTA EXPOSITION ODE, by MARY WESTON FORDHAM    Poem Text                    
First Line: Cast down your bucket where you are
Last Line: For all one flag, one flag for all.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Exhibitions; Racial Equality; Washington, Booker T. (1856-1915); Black Heritage; World's Fairs; Expositions


ATLAS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am used to the heft of it
Last Line: To carry everything.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Forests; Labor & Laborers; Strength; Black Heritage; Woods; Work; Workers


AUTOBIOGRAPHY 3, by PALMER. MICHAEL    Poem Text                 Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
Subject(s): Self; Aging; Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


BEGINNING WITH 1914, by LISEL MUELLER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Since it always begins
Alternate Author Name(s): Muller, Lisel
Subject(s): World War I; Ancestors & Ancestry; Fathers; Time; First World War; Heritage; Heredity


BERNARD AND SARAH, by HENRY SPLAWN TAYLOR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hang them where they'll do some good,' my grandfather
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Photography & Photographers; Heritage; Heredity


BLUE, by CARL PHILLIPS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: As through marble or the lining of
Subject(s): Race Awareness; Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


BLUE BLOOD, by JAMES STEPHENS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We thought at first, this man is a king for sure
Last Line: Was lout, son of lout, by old lout, and was da to a lout!
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: The word is writ that he who runs may read
Last Line: Like the keen prow of some on-forging ship.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Washington, Booker T. (1856-1915); Black Heritage


BURIAL RITES, by HAYDEN CARRUTH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Did anyone ever believe that the dead woman
Last Line: Without expectation. They did them in despair.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Death; Despair; Graves; Tradition; Heritage; Heredity; Dead, The; Tombs; Tombstones


CANZONE A LA SONATA (TO. E.P.), by FORD MADOX FORD    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What do you find to boast of in our age
Last Line: Gape open—where's your grinning melody?
Alternate Author Name(s): Hueffer, Ford Hermann; Hueffer, Ford Madox
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Youth; Heritage; Heredity


CHINESE SPACE, by MEI-MEI BERSSENBRUGGE            Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
Subject(s): Family Life; Houses; Beijing. China; Ancestors & Ancestry; Relatives; Heritage; Heredity


COMING BACK, by JOSEPH BRUCHAC    Poem Text                    
First Line: When they woke me
Last Line: Move in dance to a distant drum
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


COYOTE'S DISCOURSE ON POWER, MEDICINE, AND WOULD-BE SHAMANS, by PETER BLUE CLOUD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Good evening, friends. You notice this long, straight branch I'm
Last Line: Money, it will be a very happy basket. %thank you
Subject(s): Ancestors And Ancestry; Creation; Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage; Speech


CREOLE, by ROBERT PINSKY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): Roman Empire; Names; Ancestors & Ancestry; Language; Creoles; Heritage; Heredity; Words; Vocabulary


CRESCENT MOON ON A CAT?ÇÖS COLLAR, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I come from a family of madmen and extravagant women.
Last Line: Of the opal triumph of my voice
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


CROSS-CURRENTS, by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Through twelve stout generations
Last Line: Who chose him for my sake.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; New England; Heritage; Heredity


DEVON TO ME!, by JOHN GALSWORTHY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Where my fathers stood
Last Line: Devon to me!
Alternate Author Name(s): Sinjohn, John
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Devonshire, England; Heritage; Heredity


DOCKERY AND SON, by PHILIP LARKIN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): Relationships; Disappointment; Ancestors & Ancestry; Middle Age' Universities And Colleges; Youth; Heritage; Heredity


DR. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON TO THE NATIONAL NEGRO BUSINESS LEAGUE, by JOSEPH SEAMON COTTER SR.    Poem Text                    
First Line: Tis strange indeed to hear us plead
Last Line: When money clinks its story.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Business; Washington, Booker T. (1856-1915); Black Heritage; Businessmen; Businesswomen


EAST OF CARTHAGE: AN IDYLL, by KHALED MATTAWA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Look here, marcus aurelius, we’ve come to see
Last Line: Ts tentacles sewing a rupture I had nursed for too long
Subject(s): Coming Of Age; Middle Age; Aging; Libya; Ancestors & Ancestry; Family Life; Mythology; Heritage; Heredity; Relatives


EMILY DICKINSON AND GERARD MANELY HOPKINS, by MADELINE DEFREES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My notebook shows they took a formal cruise,
Last Line: Was warped for good. I am the living proof.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mary Gilbert, Sister; De Frees, Madeline
Variant Title(s): Emily Dickinson And Gerard Manley Hopkins
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Dickinson, Emily (1830-1886); Hopkins, Gerard Manley (1844-1889); Heritage; Heredity


ENSLAVED, by CLAUDE MCKAY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh when I think of my long-suffering race
Last Line: To liberate my people from its yoke!
Alternate Author Name(s): Edwards, Eli
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Slavery; Black Heritage; Serfs


FAMOUS MAN, by HORTENSE KING FLEXNER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Fluttered across his face
Last Line: Of his father.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Family Life; Parents; Heritage; Heredity; Relatives; Parenthood


FAR MEMORY: 1. CONVENT, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My knees recall the pockets
Last Line: And certainly attended.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Convents; Memory; Sisters; Women & Religion; Black Heritage


FAR MEMORY: 4. TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THIS LIFE, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Who did I fail, who
Last Line: Of rescue, rescue.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Life; Sisters; Women & Religion; Black Heritage


FOR AL-TAYIB SALIH, by KHALED MATTAWA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I come here to retrieve a shoe
Subject(s): Moors (people); Ancestors & Ancestry; Shoes; Love; Spain; Heritage; Heredity; Boots; Sneakers; Shoemakers


FOR MY SON, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You come from poets, kings, bankrupts, preachers,
Subject(s): Sons; Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


FOR THE CONFEDERATE DEAD, by KEVIN YOUNG    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: These are the last days
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Black Heritage


FOR THIEVES ONLY, by LOIS RED ELK    Poem Source                    
First Line: Don't tell me
Last Line: I'll show you what you never learned
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


FOREFATHERS, by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Here they went with smock and crook
Last Line: Who made honey long ago.
Alternate Author Name(s): Blunden, Edmund
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; England; Landscape; Heritage; Heredity; English


FORERUNNERS, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Long I followed happy guides, / I could never reach their sides
Last Line: Peace that hallows rudest ways.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


FURY; FOR MAMA, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Remember this
Last Line: For this woman's sake.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Obedience; Women - Abused; Black Heritage; Wife Beating


GAULZERY (GALSWORTHY) MOOR, by JOHN GALSWORTHY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Moor of my name [or, fathers]- [where] the road leads high
Last Line: And homed him here, and gave me name.
Alternate Author Name(s): Sinjohn, John
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Moors (land); Heritage; Heredity


GENEALOGICAL, by ROBERT FROST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It was my grandfather's grandfather's grandfather's
Last Line: And I think he explains my lifelong liking for indians.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


GENEALOGY, by DIANE GLANCY    Poem Source                    
First Line: I was not raised in the traditional way, and you can ask what right have I
Last Line: When I wake in the morning, having been there in the night
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


GENEALOGY OF FIRE, by KHALED MATTAWA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My sister held an old piece of bread
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Arabs; Family Life; Heritage; Heredity; Relatives


GENTLY BENT TO EASE US'; FOR BILL KNOTT, by NORMAN DUBIE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The rainmakers are these second growths
Last Line: Like the emerald gear of a long-dead martyred king.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Creative Ability; Mexico; Heritage; Heredity; Inspiration; Creativity


GRACE'S CHOICE, by CHARLES BATTELL LOOMIS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When first I saw fair-featured grace
Last Line: But wealth and—looks and pedigree.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Beauty; Marriage; Wealth; Heritage; Heredity; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Riches; Fortunes


HAINES' CORNERS, by KATE CRICHTON GREDLER    Poem Text                    
First Line: When we who live in bedford town
Last Line: For me, their unknown, grateful heir.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


HAUNTING FULL BLOOD, by SUZANNE RANCOURT    Poem Source                    
First Line: Oh. Indian woman that sold butter
Last Line: Where my grandmothers bathed %and the rocks are that smooth
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


HEAVEN, by CATHY SONG    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: He thinks when we die we'll go to china
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; China; Heritage; Heredity


HEIRLOOM, by ABRAHAM MOSES KLEIN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My father bequeathed me no wide estates
Alternate Author Name(s): Klein, A. M.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Jews; Heritage; Heredity; Judaism


HEREDITY, by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A soldier of the cromwell stamp
Last Line: To one, the quick, unreasoning heart.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


HEREDITY, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am the family face
Last Line: That heeds no call to die.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Life Change Events; Heritage; Heredity


HEREDITY, by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: That swollen paunch you are doomed to bear
Last Line: And yet, away, you charnel thing!
Alternate Author Name(s): Howells, W. D.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Character; Evil; Heritage; Heredity


HERITAGE, by THERESA VIRGINIA BEARD    Poem Text                    
First Line: Thou art fairer than the lilies that grow beside the pool
Last Line: Of the little wind-blown flower that in my garden grew.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


HERITAGE, by COUNTEE CULLEN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What is africa to me
Subject(s): Africa; African Americans - History; Black Heritage


HERITAGE, by SELMA DERRY    Poem Text                    
First Line: Through the lengths of many winds
Last Line: I, daughter of gaunt women.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Women; Heritage; Heredity


HERITAGE, by MAY BRYANT FULLAM    Poem Text                    
First Line: Our birdman loved his ship
Last Line: To take his place with friends and kin e'en as he did on earth.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Courage; Explorers; Heritage; Heredity; Valor; Bravery; Exploring; Discovery; Discoverers


HERITAGE, by DEMIE GENAITIS    Poem Text                    
First Line: These laughter-honeyed children, dirty-faced
Last Line: In the arch company of stars and burning suns.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Beauty; Children; Heritage; Heredity; Childhood


HERITAGE, by BEATRICE RUTH GIBBS    Poem Text                    
First Line: What is there here, in these small country places
Last Line: England, that is our children's heritage.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; England; Heritage; Heredity; English


HERITAGE, by WINIFRED VIRGINIA JACKSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Door, I was, yes, afraid of you
Last Line: That stand and wait outside.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


HERITAGE, by BLANCHE LEE    Poem Text                    
First Line: I have been down the long twisting road of pain
Last Line: I know the road the wizards built for elfin lads and lasses.
Alternate Author Name(s): Lee-adams, Blanche Ruby
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Pain; Roads; Tears; Heritage; Heredity; Suffering; Misery; Paths; Trails


HERITAGE, by AMY CROCKER LEIGHTON    Poem Text                    
First Line: We are a cordon-rope of love
Last Line: To mount the universal stair.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Death; Love; Heritage; Heredity; Dead, The


HIDES, by DIANE GLANCY    Poem Source                    
First Line: I can't say I'm of the bear clan or the elk people
Last Line: If only through the imagination in your own head
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


HISTORY OF MY FACE, by KHALED MATTAWA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My lips came with a caravan of slaves
Subject(s): Libya; Faces; Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


I AM MERELY POSING FOR A PHOTOGRAPH, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: The propellers churn
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


I AM OF THE REHOUSE CLAN, by MAZZI/REX LEE JIM    Poem Source                    
Last Line: I am from the household of hastin ohodiiteel
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


I ASK MY MOTHER TO SING, by LI-YOUNG LEE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She begins, and my grandmother joins her
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Ethnic Groups - United States; Minorities - United States; United States - Race Relations; Heritage; Heredity


I WAS SLEEPING WHERE THE BLACK OAKS MOVE, by LOUISE ERDRICH    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We watched from the house
Alternate Author Name(s): Erdrich, Lise
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


ILLUSTRIOUS ANCESTORS, by DENISE LEVERTOV    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The rav
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Hasidism; Zalman, Shneur (1745-1813); Heritage; Heredity


INDIAN SOLILOQUY, by HORTENSE SMITH MACDOUGALL    Poem Text                    
First Line: They cling to me, those ancient memories
Last Line: Great father guides me where I ought to go.
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


INDIANS, by ROXY GORDON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Hank williams was an indian
Last Line: Living is indian, %expecting to live forever ain't
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


INTRODUCTION, by JOHN YAU    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It had to be from someone whose grandparents were born in shanghai
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Asian Americans - Chinese; Self; Heritage; Heredity; Chinese In The United States


JES' TAKE MY ADVICE, by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KING    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Jes' a little sunshine, jes' a little rain
Last Line: Jes' sech little tings as dat got dis coon in jail.
Alternate Author Name(s): King, Ben
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Black Heritage


KIN, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): African Americans; Ancestors & Ancestry; Negroes; American Blacks; Heritage; Heredity


LEDA: 1, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There is nothing luminous
Last Line: Fucking god fucking me.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Curses; Leda; Mythology - Classical; Black Heritage


LINEAGE, by MARGARET ABIGAIL WALKER    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My grandmothers were strong
Alternate Author Name(s): Walker, Margaret+(1)
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alienation (social Psychology); Alphabet Verse; Ancestors & Ancestry; Women; Estrangement; Outcasts; Heritage; Heredity


LLANO VAQUEROS, by JIMMY SANTIAGO BACA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Padilla unloads mangy herd of mexican
Subject(s): Cowboys; Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


MAN AND THE ASCIDIAN; A MORALITY, by ANDREW LANG    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The ancestor remote of man
Last Line: Revert to the ascidian.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Morality; Heritage; Heredity; Ethics


MID-AMERICA PRAYER, by SIMON J. ORTIZ    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Standing again / within and among all things
Last Line: Strength, vision, unity and continuance
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage; Togetherness


MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER BIRTH, by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What different dooms our birthdays bring
Last Line: Of lord althorp's -- now earl spencer.
Variant Title(s): Diversity Of Fortunes
Subject(s): Adversity; Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER CHRISTENING, by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Though shakespeare asks us, 'what's in a name?'
Last Line: And that was the end of the christening.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER EDUCATION, by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: According to metaphysical creed
Last Line: With which he walk'd behind her.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Education; Heritage; Heredity


MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER PEDIGREE, by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: To trace the kilmansegg pedigree
Last Line: At the lord knows what per quarter!
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


MY FORE-ELDERS, by WILLIAM BARNES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When from the child that still is led
Last Line: Their child's late child. And know of me!
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


MY GREAT UNCLE PATRICK HENRY, by JAMES TATE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There's a fortune to be made in just about everything
Subject(s): Family Life; Disappointment; Ancestors & Ancestry; Relatives; Heritage; Heredity


NAMES, by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: From somerset and devon
Last Line: One race, one truth, one speech.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; England; Names; New England; Heritage; Heredity; English


NEVER WENT TO BIRDLAND, by GERALD STERN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Never went to birdland, so what, went to the y,
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Jews; Love - Beginnings; Heritage; Heredity; Judaism


OEDIPAL STRIVINGS, by FREDERICK SEIDEL    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A dinosaur egg opens in a lab
Subject(s): Jews; Ancestors & Ancestry; Weather; Judaism; Heritage; Heredity


ON A MINIATURE, by HENRY AUGUSTIN BEERS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thine old-world eyes - each one a violet
Last Line: Beauty like thine makes usurpation fair.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


ON MY FATHER'S SIDE, by MADELINE DEFREES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Off the coast of council bluffs, great grandfather's
Last Line: Through my father's impossible speech.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mary Gilbert, Sister; De Frees, Madeline
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


OREGON HOLLY, by WILLIAM STEWARD GORDON    Poem Text                    
First Line: As holly tells of feudal days
Last Line: Has both their charms together.
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage; Oregon; Patriotism; West (u.s.) - Exploration


OUR HERITAGE, by ISIDORE G. ASCHER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We own no kingdom and we flaunt no king
Last Line: The jews draw strenuous force and vigorous life.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Israel; Jews; Heritage; Heredity; Judaism


PASSING, by CARL PHILLIPS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: When the famous black poet speaks,
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


PHI BETA KAPPA POEM; HARVARD, 1914, by BLISS CARMAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sir, friends, and scholars, we are here to serve
Last Line: The sunrise kindling all the peaks with fire.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Duty; Harvard University; Idealism; New England; Tradition; Heritage; Heredity


PHOTOGRAPH OF A GATHERING OF PEOPLE WAVING, by CLARENCE MAJOR    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: No sound, the whole thing
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Farewell; Photography & Photographers; Pictures; Silence; Heritage; Heredity; Parting


PRE-TEXT, by MARIE PONSOT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Archaic, his gestures / hieratic, just like caesar or sappho
Subject(s): Babies; Ancestors & Ancestry; Time; Infants; Heritage; Heredity


PRIDE OF ANCESTRY, by ROBERT FROST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The deacon's wife was a bit desirish
Last Line: Accounts for their genius and love of drink
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


PRIDE OF RANK, by JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Descent / you'll grant, is not alone nobility
Last Line: I trust I seem not bold, to argue so.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


PROMISES: 2. COURT-MARTIAL, by ROBERT PENN WARREN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Under the cedar tree
Subject(s): American Civil War; Lynching; Confederate States Of America; Soldiers; Veterans; Ancestors & Ancestry; Confederacy; Heritage; Heredity


RATIONAL, by HELEN CHALAKEE BURGESS    Poem Source                    
First Line: She don't look indian all the time
Last Line: Grandma passed %... Again, twin nods
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


REFLECTION, by MARK TURCOTTE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Back when I used to be an indian
Last Line: A long, black bird bursts %from my throat
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


REMEMBER, by JOY HARJO    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Remember the sky that you were born under
Last Line: Remember.
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


REWARD, by KEVIN YOUNG    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Run away from this sub- / scriber for the second time
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Slavery; Escapes; Black Heritage; Serfs; Fugitives


ROCK COUNTRY, by RANDY BLASING    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Here the dead far outnumber the living
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Oxford County, Maine; Cemeteries; Heritage; Heredity; Graveyards


SENSES OF HERITAGE, by NTOZAKE SHANGE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My grandpa waz a doughboy from carolina
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette
Subject(s): Race Awareness; African Americans; Ancestors & Ancestry; Trees; Moon; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Heritage; Heredity; Relatives


SHE, I AND THEY, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I was sitting
Last Line: And unable to keep up their sturdy line.'
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


SKETCH FOR A JOB APPLICATION BLANK, by JAMES HARRISON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My left eye is blind and jogs like
Last Line: Warmth, more warmth, I cry.)
Alternate Author Name(s): Harrison, Jim
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Labor & Laborers; Memory; Self-doubt; Heritage; Heredity; Work; Workers


SNOWMEN, by AGHA SHAHID ALI    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: My ancestor, a man
Last Line: On their melting shoilders
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


SOME LAST QUESTIONS, by WILLIAM STANLEY MERWIN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What is the head
Alternate Author Name(s): Merwin, W. S.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Curiosities & Wonders; Human Rights; Heritage; Heredity; Enigmas; Oddities


SOMETHING LIKE A SONNET FOR PHILLIS MIRACLE WHEATLEY, by JUNE JORDAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Girl from the realm of birds florid and fleet
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Wheatley, Phillis (1753-1784); Black Heritage


SOUTH SONG, by ROY ADDISON HELTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I'm for the south, - for the black-eyed south
Last Line: From beauty's warm lips on the bride-bed of june.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Southern States; Black Heritage; South (u.s.)


STOWAWAYS, by DAVID RIVARD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Immigrants; Conduct Of Life; Heritage; Heredity; Emigrant; Emigration; Immigration


THE AMEN STONE, by YEHUDA AMICHAI    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: On my desk there is a stone with the word “amen” on it
Last Line: A jigsaw puzzle. Child’s play
Subject(s): Jews; Ancestors & Ancestry; Judaism; Heritage; Heredity


THE ANCESTRESS; A DRAMATIC SKETCH, by LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It is in this we differ; I would seek
Last Line: Castle hide the whole.
Alternate Author Name(s): L. E. L.; Maclean, Letitia
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Guilt; Punishment; Heritage; Heredity


THE BALLAD OF THE CHILDREN OF THE CZAR, by DELMORE SCHWARTZ    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The children of the czar
Subject(s): Nicholas Ii, Czar Of Russia (1868-1918); Children; Ancestors & Ancestry; Immigrants; Childhood; Heritage; Heredity; Emigrant; Emigration; Immigration


THE BED, by JOSE-MARIA DE HEREDIA (1842-1905)    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Let it be draped with serge or with brocade
Last Line: Bids welcome and farewell to all his kin.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Beds; Sleep; Heritage; Heredity


THE BLACK FAMILY PLEDGE, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Because we have forgotten our ancestors
Subject(s): African Americans; Ancestors & Ancestry; Negroes; American Blacks; Heritage; Heredity


THE BLACK RIDERS: 22, by STEPHEN CRANE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Once I saw mountains angry
Last Line: Who stood against the mountains.
Variant Title(s): Ancestry
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


THE DESCENDANT AND THE ID (MONOLOGUE IN REGARD TO HEREDITY), by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Once, when the scholar - in his book, you know
Last Line: God, in my hand, had written a new name.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


THE DIATRIBE OF THE KITE; FOR KHENPO KARTHAR RINPOCHE, by NORMAN DUBIE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They come from the white barrier of noon
Last Line: Those ancestors for whom we are ashamed.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Asia; Kites; Heritage; Heredity; Far East; East Asia; Orient


THE DISTURBED WASP; TO WILLIAM BEEBE, by ANNE MILLAY BREMER    Poem Text                    
First Line: They beat in rhythm all
Last Line: Man! Have you no heart?
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


THE DREADFUL HAS ALREADY HAPPENED, by MARK STRAND    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The relatives are leaning over, staring expectantly
Subject(s): Babies; Time; Ancestors & Ancestry; Infants; Heritage; Heredity


THE DREAM OF A LACQUER BOX, by KIMIKO HAHN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I wish I knew the contents and I wish the contents
Subject(s): Mothers; Heritage; Dreams; Nightmares


THE FAMILY NAME, by CHARLES LAMB    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What reason first imposed thee, gentle name
Last Line: No deed of mine shall shame thee, gentle name.
Alternate Author Name(s): Elia
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Names; Heritage; Heredity


THE HANDING DOWN: 1. THE CONVERSATION, by WENDELL BERRY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Speaker and hearer, words
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


THE IDEA OF ANCESTRY, by ETHERIDGE KNIGHT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: Taped to the wall of my cell are 47 pictures: 47 black
Subject(s): African Americans; Ancestors & Ancestry; Fathers; Korean War, 1950-1953; Men; Prayer; Prisons & Prisoners; Negroes; American Blacks; Heritage; Heredity; Convicts


THE KEY; A MOORISH ROMANCE, by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The moor leans on his cushion
Last Line: To seek the ancient door!
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Moors (people); Heritage; Heredity


THE LIVING, by KEVIN YOUNG    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: After independence day / all our toys began to tear
Subject(s): Cotton; Farm Life; African Americans - History; Agriculture; Farmers; Black Heritage


THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I've known rivers
Last Line: My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Holidays; New Year; Racism; Rivers; Time; Black Heritage; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry


THE PEDIGREE, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I bent in the deep of night
Last Line: And the stained moon and drift retook their places there.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


THE PSALMIST, AFTER JOHNNY CASH'S 'OH BURYME NOT', by VIRGIL SAUREZ    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What is found in mote of dust a float in shaft
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Cuba; Heritage; Heredity


THE TRAVELLER AT THE SOURCE OF THE NILE, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In sunset's light, o'er afric thrown
Last Line: Thine own sweet paths in search of thee!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Africa; African Americans - History; Nile (river); Travel; Black Heritage; Journeys; Trips


TIGUA ELDER, by PAT MORA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: How do I tell my children
Last Line: There is forgetting in my own true name
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


TO BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Beside our way the streams are dried
Last Line: And lead us to the promised land!
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Washington, Booker T. (1856-1915); Black Heritage


TO INSURE SURVIVAL, by SIMON J. ORTIZ    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You come forth
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


TO MY COAST SALISH ANCESTORS, by DUANE NIATUM    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In the late evening, rain and fog
Last Line: I am of this coast and its keeper
Subject(s): Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage


TO THE DIASPORA: YOU DID NOT KNOW YOU WERE AFRIKA, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When you set out for afrika
Last Line: Your work, that was done, to be done to be done to be done
Subject(s): African Americans; Ancestors & Ancestry; Negroes; American Blacks; Heritage; Heredity


TO WALTER LIONEL DE ROTHSCHILD ON HIS BAR-MITZVAH, by LOUIS BARNETT ABRAHAMS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thine is the heritage of ancient birth
Last Line: Thy heart shall know a peace no pain can mar.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Bar & Bat Mitzvahs; Jews; Heritage; Heredity; Judaism


TWO STANDARDS, by ELISE PASCHEN    Poem Text                    
First Line: Joan's one eighth. I'm a quarter
Subject(s): Alienation (social Psychology); Authors - Conferences And Workshops; Dissenters; Exiles; Marginality, Social; Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage; Women; Estrangement; Outcasts; Writer's Conferences And Workshops


TWO STANDARDS, by ELISE PASCHEN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Joan's one eighth. I'm a quarter
Last Line: I will take that ancestral one
Subject(s): Alienation (social Psychology); Authors - Conferences And Workshops; Dissenters; Exiles; Marginality, Social; Native Americans - Genealogy & Heritage; Women


ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885), by MADELINE DEFREES    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The treasury voted nine to one against your ordinary
Last Line: As she lies without a coat of arms.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mary Gilbert, Sister; De Frees, Madeline
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Death; Grant, Ulysses Simpson (1822-1885); Heritage; Heredity; Dead, The


UNVEILING, by LINDA PASTAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the cemetery
Subject(s): Cemeteries; Ancestors & Ancestry; Graveyards; Heritage; Heredity


VIRGIDEMIAE: BOOK 4: SATIRE: 3, by JOSEPH HALL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Vvhat boots it pontice, tho thou could'st discourse
Last Line: More than his life, or lands, or golden line.
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Life; Nature; War; Heritage; Heredity


WAITING THERE, by MICHAEL ANANIA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nothing but this continent
Last Line: That fronted on the open west
Subject(s): West - U.s.; Ancestors & Ancestry; Heritage; Heredity


WARM DAYS IN JANUARY, by DONALD REVELL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It has never been so easy to cry
Subject(s): City & Town Life; Love - Complaints; Man-woman Relationships; Ancestors & Ancestry; Hotels; Male-female Relations; Heritage; Heredity; Inns; Innskeepers; Motels; Boarding Houses