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Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Searching... Subject: RELATIVES Matches Found: 525 UPDATE command denied to user 'poetryex_users'@'localhost' for table `poetryex_poems`.`subcnt` "BEHOLD, O LORD, THY FAITHFUL PEOPLE!", by ANONYMOUS Poem Text Last Line: "as free-will gifts, as bonds of love" Subject(s): Family Life;jews;love;parents;togetherness; Relatives;judaism;parenthood A BALLAD IN BLANK VERSE, by JOHN DAVIDSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: His father's house looked out across a firth Last Line: Women to love are waiting everywhere.' Subject(s): Aphrodite; Atheism; Christianity; Death; Family Life; Fathers & Sons; Mythology - Classical; Paganism & Pagans; Parents; Pride; Dead, The; Relatives; Parenthood; Self-esteem; Self-respect A BALLAD OF A COWARD, by JOHN DAVIDSON Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The trumpets pealed; the echoes sang Last Line: And happy and amazed fell dead. Subject(s): Cowardice; Death; Family Life; Redemption; War; Dead, The; Relatives A BEAR FAMILY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Wunzt, 'way west in illinoise Last Line: Ferever an' ferever! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Animals; Bears; Family Life; Mountains; Relatives; Hills; Downs (great Britain) A BOY GOES INTO THE WORLD, by JANE KENYON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My brother rode off on his bike Last Line: I at last can claim them as my own Subject(s): Brothers & Sisters; Family Life; Childhood Memories; Relatives A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA. 1953, by WYATT PRUNTY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Marching through georgia to bed, he stopped, listened, Subject(s): Georgia (state); Christmas; Family Life; Childhood Memories; Nativity, The; Relatives A CHRISTMAS MEMORY (2), by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Ma she's home - an' I'm 'way here Last Line: I ist only want my ma! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Christmas; Family Life; Nativity, The; Relatives A DEFECTIVE SANTA CLAUS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Allus when our pa he's away Last Line: "trip bark' two times 'fore it's ""a-men!" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Children; Christmas; Family Life; Santa Claus; Childhood; Nativity, The; Relatives; Nicholas, Saint A DOMESTIC STORM, by PRISCILLA JANE THOMPSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I'm going to whoop you, sammy taylor Last Line: Guess you will, you rascal, you. Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives A DUBIOUS 'OLD KRISS', by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Us-folks is purty pore - but ma Last Line: "him skite out -- an' it wuz her pa." Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Children; Christmas; Family Life; Childhood; Nativity, The; Relatives A HAPPY CHILDHOOD, by WILLIAM MATTHEWS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My mother stands at the screen door, laughing Alternate Author Name(s): Matthews, William Procter Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Childhood; Relatives A HIDDEN LIFE, by GEORGE MACDONALD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Proudly the youth, sudden with manhood crowned Last Line: Arose and died upon the listener's ear. Subject(s): Christianity; Death; Education; Family Life; Farm Life; God; Love; Quiet Life; Dead, The; Relatives; Agriculture; Farmers A HOLIDAY, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The house is like a garden Last Line: Some women are like that, do what you may. Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs. Subject(s): Family Life; Holidays; Home; Labor & Laborers; Love; Relatives; Work; Workers A HOUSE IN THE HEDGE, by NORMAN ROWLAND GALE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: All architecture done, / and housekeeping begun Last Line: God's smile come radiant through. Subject(s): Birds; Family Life; Home; Relatives A LETTER FROM HOME, by MARY OLIVER Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: She sends me news of bluejays, frost Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives A MARRIAGE, by ANNE STEVENSON Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When my mother knew why her treatment wasn't working, Subject(s): Marriage; Family Life; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Relatives A MARRIAGE POEM, by ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Morning: the caged baby Subject(s): Marriage; Family Life; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Relatives A MONTH IN SUMMER, by CAROLYN KIZER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Several years ago, I wrote haiku in this way Last Line: "is that what is meant by dwelling in unreality? And here too I end my words." Subject(s): Art & Artists; Family Life; Japan; Love Affairs; Poetry & Poets; Solitude; Summer; Women; Women's Rights; Relatives; Japanese; Loneliness; Feminism A NEW YORK CHILD?ÇÖS GARDEN OF VERSES, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In winter I get up at night Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A. Subject(s): Youth; City & Town Life; Family Life; Relatives A PLACE IN MAINE, by SHEROD SANTOS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Mothers & Sons; Disappointment; Time; Family Life; Absence; Relatives; Separation; Isolation A POET'S HOUSEHOLD, by CAROLYN KIZER Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: The stout poet tiptoes Last Line: Is chanting words to himself. Subject(s): Family Life; Poetry & Poets; Roethke, Theodore (1908-1963); Women; Women's Rights; Relatives; Feminism A PRAYER FOR BROKEN LITTLE FAMILIES, by VIOLET ALLEYN STOREY Poem Text First Line: God, pity broken little families Last Line: Growing, day by day, more closely into oneness with each other. Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Dead, The; Relatives A QUESTION, by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Can't the child yet walk alone?' Last Line: "smiling, not repining!" Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives A REAL STORY, by LINDA PASTAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Sucking on hard candy Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives A ROOM IN THE PAST, by TED KOOSER Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: It's a kitchen. Its curtains fill Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives A STORY OF DOOM: BOOK 4, by JEAN INGELOW Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Now while these evil ones took counsel strange Last Line: Shall bless me also. Sir, I love you well.' Subject(s): Family Life; Love; Relatives A SUNSET OF THE CITY, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: Already I am no longer looked at with lechery or love. Subject(s): Aging; Family Life; Relatives A TIME PAST, by DENISE LEVERTOV Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The old wooden steps to the front door Subject(s): Marriage; Family Life; Relationships; Past; Human Behavior; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Relatives; Conduct Of Life; Human Nature A TOAST FOR LITTLE IRON MIKE, by PAUL MARIANI Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Having come in out of the unrelenting Subject(s): Amniotic Fluid Embolism; Babies; Family Life; Infants; Relatives A VINE-ARBOUR IN THE FAR WEST, by JEAN INGELOW Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Laura, my laura! Yes, mother! I Last Line: "but I'll say to him, ""o my poor father, we wait you, come in.""'" Subject(s): Arbors; Family Life; Gardens & Gardening; Hearts; Mothers; Sun; Relatives A VISIT, by JACK MERTEN Poem Text First Line: As she stirred her coffee at dinner in our house Last Line: Whereupon I went out in the garden and threw stones at the hens. Subject(s): Aunts; Family Life; Guests; Relatives; Visiting A WAR STORY, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): World War Ii; Guests; Family Life; Second World War; Visiting; Relatives A WOMAN WAKING, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: She wakens early remembering Subject(s): Fathers & Daughters; Family Life; Relatives AFTER, by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Oh, the littles that remain! Last Line: Oh, the scent of mint was plain! Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AFTER DEATH, by GREGORY ORR Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I heard the front door close Last Line: Was a kind of steady weeping. Subject(s): Brothers; Death; Death - Children; Family Life; Mourning; Half-brothers; Dead, The; Death - Babies; Relatives; Bereavement AFTERNOON, by DONALD HALL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My mouse, my girl in gray, I speak to her Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AGAINST PLURALISM, by DONALD REVELL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Who will you point to? In the needle's eye, Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers; Disappointment; Relationships; Divorce; Half-siblings; Relatives AL AND BETH, by LOUIS SIMPSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My uncle al worked in a drugstore Subject(s): Immigrants; Patriotism; Family Life; Emigrant; Emigration; Immigration; Relatives ALBANY, by RON SILLIMAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: If the function of writing is to 'express the world.' my father withheld child Subject(s): Family Life; Conduct Of Life; Social Commentaries; Language Poetry; Relatives ALCESTIS: SCENE 1, by EURIPIDES Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Natheless before these gates mine eyes do mark Last Line: Down to the lord of hell. Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Death; Family Life; Household Employees; Marriage; Mourning; Mythology - Classical; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Dead, The; Relatives; Servants; Domestics; Maids; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Bereavement ALDERMAN, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: One year the town republicans Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives ALL LIFE IN A LIFE, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: His father had a large family Subject(s): Family Life; City & Town Life; Wealth; Social Protest; Capital Punishment; Conduct Of Life; Relatives; Riches; Fortunes; Hanging; Executions; Death Penalty ALL SUMMER LONG, by CAROL FROST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The dogs eat hoof slivers and lie under the porch. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives ALL'S WELL, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES Poem Text Poet Analysis First Line: The cat has her milk Last Line: All's well with his life. Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives ALLEGORY OF DEATH AND NIGHT, by FRANK STANFORD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When he comes home from work Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives ALMOST BEYOND ENDURANCE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I ain't a-goin' to cry no more, no more! Last Line: I ist ain't goin' to cry no more, no more! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Family Life; Tears; Relatives ALONE WITH JANE, by RAY CLARKE ROSE Poem Text First Line: Jane, in a suit of cameron plaid Last Line: I wish I were n't alone with jane! Subject(s): Courtship; Daughters; Family Life; Parents; Relatives; Parenthood AN ALBUM FAMILY, by RANDY BLASING Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: A good-time charlie from the start, my father Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AN INSINCERE WISH ADDRESSED TO A BEGGAR, by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: We are not near enough to love Last Line: And truth reveal herself to you! Alternate Author Name(s): Anodos Subject(s): Brothers; Deception; Family Life; Wealth; Half-brothers; Relatives; Riches; Fortunes AN OLD LIFE, by DONALD HALL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Snow fell in the nght Subject(s): Family Life; Poetry & Poets; Relatives AND NOW THE HOUSE-DOG STRETCHED ONCE MORE, by EMILY JANE BRONTE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Alternate Author Name(s): Bell, Ellis Subject(s): Shepherds & Shepherdesses; Family Life; Relatives ANDRE, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I had a dream last night. I dreamed Last Line: They were the ones I always had! Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives ANNUNCIATION, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Like holes punched in a tin roof, thinks diverne Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives APPARITION, by TESS GALLAGHER Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography Subject(s): Ghosts; Death - Children; Family Life; Death - Babies; Relatives ARMAZINDY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Armazindy;-- fambily name Last Line: Though I'm 'lectioneerin' still. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Family Life; Names; Relatives ARMED MEN, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Ray teaches at the boley baptist school Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AS CHILDREN TOGETHER, by CAROLYN FORCHE Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: Under the sloped snow Alternate Author Name(s): Sidlosky, Carolyn Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Childhood; Relatives AT HOME IN WINTER, by EAMON GRENNAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We sit across from one another Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AT LENGTH, by RANDY BLASING Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Grounded, I watched late-breaking spring take off Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AT SEVENTY-THREE, by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Well, let us face things as they are Last Line: For I am over seventy-three! Subject(s): Aging; Family Life; Life; Mankind; Tears; Youth; Relatives; Human Race AT THE FUNERAL OF GREAT-AUNT MARY, by ROBERT BLY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Here we are, all dressed up to honor death! Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AT THE IGA: FRANKLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, by JANE KENYON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This is where I would shop Last Line: Never enough in the bank Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AUNT ANNIE'S PRAYER, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Her magnified voice reverberates Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AUNT SELINA, by CAROL HAYNES Poem Text First Line: When aunt selina comes to tea Last Line: I hope she would not come again! Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives AUNT SUE'S STORIES, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Aunt sue has a head full of stories Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL, by ABRAHAM MOSES KLEIN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Out of the ghetto streets where a jewboy Last Line: Delighting in the sobbed oriental note. Alternate Author Name(s): Klein, A. M. Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Family Life; Jews; Relatives; Judaism BACKYARD SWING SET, by THOMAS LUX Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Splayed, swayback, cheap pipe Subject(s): Home; Family Life; Relatives BALANCE, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: He watch her like a coonhound watch a tree. Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Literary Form; Relatives BALI HAI CALLS MAMA, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: As I was putting away the groceries Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Mothers; Babies; Family Life; Infants; Relatives BANKING POTATOES, by YUSEF KOMUNYAKAA Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Daddy would drop purple-veined vines Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, James Willie, Jr. Subject(s): Family Life; Potatoes; Relatives BE GLAD AND SING, by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Have you a band of little ones Last Line: To him who doeth all things best. Subject(s): Blessings; Family Life; Home; Relatives BENEATH THE SHADOW OF THE FREEWAY, by LORNA DEE CERVANTES Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Across the street -- the freeway Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives BIOGRAPHY, by ROBERT PINSKY Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Stone wheel that sharpens the blade that mows the grain, Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives BIRKHILL: A MEMORY, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: O'er thy lone beauty, sweet birkhill Last Line: "but faith and hope say, ""not for ever." Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Family Life; Memory; Relatives BLACK PIONEERS, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: There, we'll put the chickens Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives BOTH MY GRANDMOTHERS 1. MY POLISH GRANDMA, by EDWARD FIELD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Grandma and the children left at night Last Line: To go to a new country Alternate Author Name(s): Elliot, Bruce Subject(s): Family Life; Grandparents; Immigrants; Relatives BREAKFAST IS MY BEST MEAL: OVERHEARD AT CARLSBAD, by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Breakfast is my best meal, and I reckon it's always been Last Line: But it fairly makes me sick! Breakfast is my best meal. Alternate Author Name(s): Howells, W. D. Subject(s): Cooking & Cooks; Family Life; Food & Eating; Cookery; Relatives BROTHER, by WILLIAM ROSE BENET Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I could not tell you though I were crucified Last Line: Aye, and when my need was, brother through the night! Subject(s): Brotherhood; Family Life; Love - Nature Of; Men; Relationships; Relatives BROTHER AND SISTER, by MARY ANN EVANS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I cannot choose but think upon the time Last Line: I would be born a little sister there. Alternate Author Name(s): Eliot, George; Cross, Marian Lewes; Evans, Marian; Ann, Mary Variant Title(s): "i Cannot Choose But Think Upon The Time""; Subject(s): Adolescence; Brothers & Sisters; Evans, Isaac; Family Life; Maturity; Memory; Teen Agers; Relatives BROTHERLY LOVE; OR, THE SITE OF KING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE, by GEORGE MURRAY (1830-1910) Poem Text First Line: There is a sweet traditionary tale Last Line: Each with the golden sheaves within his arms. Subject(s): Brothers; Churches; Family Life; Harvest; Love - Nature Of; Half-brothers; Cathedrals; Relatives BUCOLIC COMEDY: EN FAMILLE, by EDITH SITWELL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In early spring-time, after their tea Last Line: "as greenwich, or as bath, or joppa!" Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives BUMS AT BREAKFAST, by DAVID WAGONER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Daily, the bums sat down to eat in our kitchen. Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Family Life; Food & Eating; Morning; Relatives BUTTER, by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My mother loves butter more than I do Last Line: Out, one hundred megawatts of butter Subject(s): Butter; Family Life; Relatives CASA WAPPY; THE CHILD'S PET-NAME, CHOSEN BY HIMSELF, by DAVID MACBETH MOIR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: And hast thou sought thy heavenly home Last Line: Casa wappy! Alternate Author Name(s): Delta Subject(s): Children - Lost; Death; Family Life; Grief; Mothers & Sons; Dead, The; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness CHAMBERS OF THE HEART, by RANDY BLASING Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Since I know by heart the floor plan Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives CHARADE, by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I have loved, through years of happiness Last Line: Of my whole another gain. Alternate Author Name(s): Egerton-warburton, R. E. Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Marriage; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives CHARADE, by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My first and my second, united, display Last Line: And his successor came into office next morning. Alternate Author Name(s): Egerton-warburton, R. E. Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Marriage; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives CHILD ON THE MARSH, by ANDREW HUDGINS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I worked the river’s slick banks, grabbling Last Line: And heard the earth’s voice under me Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives 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 CHOPIN, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It's sunday evening. Pomp holds the receipts Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Literary Form; Relatives CHOSEN, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Diverne wanted to die, that august night Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Literary Form; Relatives CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE:FALL RIVER HISTORICAL MUSEUM, by JAN HELLER LEVI Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: You know how it is: august, the pears Subject(s): Family Life; Murder; Relatives COAL, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: He made a living selling land and coal Last Line: He made a living Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Business; Fathers; Relatives COMMENCEMENT, PINGREE SCHOOL, by JOHN UPDIKE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Among these north shore tennis tans I sit Last Line: Up pops a daddy with a nikon. Click Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives CONCEIT, by CHARLIE SMITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My brother's afraid to get angry Subject(s): Brothers; Anger; Letters; Family Life; Half-brothers; Relatives CORNELIA'S REPLY, by WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Cornelia, a matron of ancient rome Last Line: The pure quenchless light of a mother's love! Subject(s): Family Life; Housewives; Love; Mothers & Sons; Rome, Italy; Wealth; Relatives; Riches; Fortunes COUNTRY MARRIAGE, by CAROL FROST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: They married out of school Subject(s): Marriage; Family Life; Poverty; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Relatives COYOTE CREEK, by NORMAN DUBIE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: It was a small canyon, very small Last Line: While the sun sank all at once behind him. Subject(s): Family Life; Gifts & Giving; Nature; Prayer; Relatives CURRICULUM VITAE, by LISEL MUELLER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I was born in a free city, near the north sea Alternate Author Name(s): Muller, Lisel Subject(s): Birth; Family Life; Parents; Child Birth; Midwifery; Relatives; Parenthood DAILY, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: These shriveled seeds we plan Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives DANIEL AT BREAKFAST, by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: His paper propped against the electric toaster Alternate Author Name(s): Hayden, Charles, Mrs. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives DANSE RUSSE, by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: If when my wife is sleeping Last Line: The happy genius of my household? Subject(s): Family Life; Men; Solitude; Relatives; Loneliness DAUGHTERS, 1900, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Five daughters, in the slant light on the porch Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Literary Form; Relatives DAWENDINE, by EMILY PAULINE JOHNSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: There's a spirit on the river, there's a ghost upon the shore Last Line: And the shadows of the shore. Alternate Author Name(s): Tekahionwake Subject(s): Family Life; Ghosts; Hate; Legends; Love; Supernatural; Vendetta; Relatives; Feuds DEAREST, by JEAN VALENTINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This day broke Subject(s): Family Life; Disappointment; Relatives DELIVERED, by A. ANDERS GRAFSTROM Poem Text First Line: The night was chilly -- home gunnar sped Last Line: The deliverer cameit was death! Subject(s): Death; Family Life; God; Hunger; Poverty; Salvation; Dead, The; Relatives DIPPING CANDLES IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: A-dipping candles used to be Last Line: Can turn no tastier trick today. Subject(s): Family Life; Grandchildren; Vermont; Relatives; Grandsons; Granddaughters DIVERNE'S HOUSE, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The house of myth Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives DIVERNE'S WALTZ, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Diverne stands in the kitchen as they dance Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Literary Form; Relatives DOMESDAY BOOK: HENRY MURRAY, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Henry murray, father of elenor murray Last Line: The while she spoke: Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Marriage; Youth; Dead, The; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives DOMESDAY BOOK: MRS. MURRAY, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I think, she said at first / my daughter did not kill herself. I'm sure Last Line: And talk about the case. Subject(s): Daughters; Family Life; Life; Marriage; Suicide; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives DOMESTIC, by CARL PHILLIPS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: If, when studying road atlases Subject(s): Gays & Lesbians; Love; Family Life; Travel; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men; Relatives; Journeys; Trips DOMESTIC HAPPINESS, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: Away: let nought to love displeasing Last Line: And I'll go wooing in my boys Subject(s): Family Life;happiness;love - Marital; Relatives;joy;delight;wedded Love;marriage - Love DOMESTIC SCENES, by CHARLES REZNIKOFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It was nearly daylight when she gave birth to the child, Subject(s): Family Life; Stillbirth; Marriage; Death; Fights; Murder; Poisons & Poisoning; Relatives; Death - Childbirth; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Dead, The DOROTHY Q; A FAMILY PORTRAIT, by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Grandmother's mother: her age I guess Last Line: Through a second youth of a hundred years. Subject(s): Family Life; Grandparents; Quincy, Dorothy; Relatives; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers DUCKS, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In her first home each book had a light around it Last Line: The ducks were building a nest. Subject(s): Culture Conflict; Ducks; Family Life; Iran; War; Mallards; Drakes; Relatives; Persia DUH, by BOB HICOK Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My father is silent and distant Last Line: From rolling over my head one day Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers; Memory; Relatives DUTY CALL, by BURGES JOHNSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: On sundays I jus' love to dine Last Line: An' gives me heaps o' things to eat. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Mothers; Pity; Sabbath; Temperance; Childhood; Relatives; Sunday; Prohibition 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 ECLOGUE: FATHER COME HWOME, by WILLIAM BARNES Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O mother, mother! Be the teaties done? Last Line: Zoo I shall goo up out o' the waÿ o' the waggon. Subject(s): Family Life; Farm Life; Fathers; Food & Eating; Homecoming; Winter; Relatives; Agriculture; Farmers ELEGY A LITTLE, by DONALD REVELL Poem Text Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: Linoleum and half a dozen eggs Subject(s): Family Life; Sisters; Relatives ELMER BROWN, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Awf'lest boy in this-here town Last Line: "here's the way you look!" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Boys; Family Life; Towns; Relatives ELOPEMENT, by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KING Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I'm out at the home of my mary Last Line: Well -- none of the family is there. Alternate Author Name(s): King, Ben Subject(s): Elopements; Family Life; Relatives ESTHER: 19, by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: You know the story of my birth, the name Subject(s): Birth; Family Life; Fthers; Death; Child Birth; Midwifery; Relatives; Dead, The EVERYBODY AND HIS UNCLE, by RON PADGETT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I was waiting to happen. Subject(s): Family Life; Driving & Drivers; Relatives EXTENDED FAMILY ROMANCE, by PETER JOHNSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I was so fat my kids couldn't wrap their arms around Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives FALL JOURNEY, by WILLIAM EDGAR STAFFORD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Evening came, a paw, to the gray hut by the river Subject(s): Family Life; Memory; Relatives FALL RIVER, by DAVID RIVARD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Fathers & Sons; Basketball; Family Life; Anger; Relatives FAMILY CARES, by ANNETTE WYNNE Poem Text First Line: I have but one child-cora ann Last Line: That, really, I should like to know. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; January; Mothers; Childhood; Relatives FAMILY GROUP, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: That's my younger brother with his navy wings Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald Subject(s): Brothers; World War Ii; Family Life; Half-brothers; Second World War; Relatives FAMILY PORTRAIT, by KENNETH PATCHEN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Great tarry wings splatter softly up out of the rotting yolk of sun. In the Subject(s): Family Life; Portraits; Story-telling; Relatives FAMILY QUARRELS; EPIGRAM, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: A fool,' said jeanette, 'is a creature I hate' Last Line: "to be found in a family quarrel!" Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives FAMILY REUNION, by SYLVIA PLATH Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Outside in the street I hear Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Ted, Mrs. Subject(s): Reunions; Family Life; Relatives FAMILY ROMANCE, by LARRY LEVIS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Sister once of weeds & a dark water that held still Subject(s): Family Life; Marriage; Failure; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives FAMILY STORIES, by DORIANNE LAUX Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I had a boyfriend who told me stories about his family Subject(s): Family Life; Story-telling; Women; Relatives 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 FAREWELL TO FARGO: SELLING THE HOUSE, by KAREN SWENSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Olivia is dying. Bring your best black dress Last Line: Its spring and slams. Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Property; Dead, The; Relatives; Possessions FATHER'S JEWELRY BOX, by HENRI COLE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Home for a weekend retreat Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives FIFTH GRADE AUTOBIOGRAPHY, by RITA DOVE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I was four in this photograph fishing Last Line: But I remember his hands Subject(s): Family Life; Grandparents; Hands; Relatives; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers FIRST PASSION, by MARY KINZIE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Running there I am at fourteen Last Line: Golden gossip of the afternoon Subject(s): Teenagers; Family Life; Relatives FIRST SURF, by EMANUEL DI PASQUALE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A little sparrow / attempting his Last Line: Fearful for my children Alternate Author Name(s): Pasquale, Emanuel Di Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives FLAMENCO, by PETER JOHNSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Leave her alone, dad said. She's learning something this time. Last Line: Goes off like this, when I have to prepare myself for another rescue Subject(s): Family Life; Singing & Singers; Relatives; Songs FLESH, by JOAN LARKIN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Hooves were forbidden, but she fed us Subject(s): Food & Eating; Family Life; Relatives FLYING INTO ST. LOUIS, by HAYDEN CARRUTH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It is socked in. Can't see a thing. Nor have I ever Last Line: And boarded the plane to san francisco. Subject(s): Family Life; Grandparents; Parents; St. Louis, Missouri; Relatives; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers; Parenthood FOR MOHAMMED ON THE MOUNTAIN, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Uncle mohammed, you mystery, you distant secretive face Subject(s): Uncles; Family Life; Relatives FREEMAN FIELD, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It was a cool evening Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): African Americans - Military; Family Life; Relatives FRIDAY WAITING FOR MOM, by LUCILLE CLIFTON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When I am seven Last Line: Says so too Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives FROM A DAY-BOOK OF A FORGOTTEN PRINCE, by JEAN STARR UNTERMEYER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My father is happy or we should be poor Subject(s): Fathers; Family Life; Relatives FROM PRADO ROTUNDA: THE FAMILY OF CHARLES IV, AND OTHERS, by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Francisco jose de goya y lucientes Last Line: Which demands, like everything alive, / love Subject(s): Family Life; Paintings And Painters; Prado (museum), Madrid; Relatives GATHERING THE BONES TOGETHER; FOR PETER ORR, by GREGORY ORR Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When all the rooms of the house Last Line: That arches toward the other shore. Subject(s): Brothers; Death; Family Life; Fathers & Sons; Fratricide; Hunting; Half-brothers; Dead, The; Relatives; Hunters 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 GENRE: INTERIOR, by ROYALL HENDERSON SNOW Poem Text First Line: Some day I shall hope to come again and find / you Last Line: Light at the chatter of your youngest boy. Subject(s): Absence; Family Life; Love; Marriage; Separation; Isolation; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives GIANT NIGHT, by ANNE WALDMAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: Awake in a giant night Last Line: Just like what is here one minute and not the next. Subject(s): Christmas; December; Family Life; Holidays; New York City; Nativity, The; Relatives; Manhattan; New York, New York; The Big Apple GILBERT: 2. THE PARLOUR, by CHARLOTTE BRONTE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Warm is the parlour atmosphere Last Line: "above its threatened shame." Alternate Author Name(s): Bell, Currer Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives GIRL AT THE PIANO, by JORIE GRAHAM Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It begins, what I cn hear, with the rain withdrawing from itself Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives GOLDEN STATE, by FRANK BIDART Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: To see my father Subject(s): Family Life; Death - Fathers; Divorce; Relatives GOOD TIMES, by LUCILLE CLIFTON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My daddy has paid the rent Subject(s): Family Life; African Americans; Family Life; United States; Relatives; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives; America GOOD TIMES, by LUCILLE CLIFTON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My daddy has paid the rent Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; United States; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives; America GOODBYE, by GALWAY KINNELL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My mother, poor woman, lies tonight Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives GOODNESS, by ANDREA HOLLANDER BUDY Poem Text Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: As my husband set the table for breakfast Subject(s): Family Life; Transcience; Relatives GRANDFATHER BRIDGEMAN, by GEORGE MEREDITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Heigh, boys!' cried grandfather bridgeman, 'it's time before dinner today' Last Line: The old man fails never to tell you: 'you've got the french general's there!' Subject(s): Family Life; Grandparents; War; Relatives; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers GRANDFATHER'S HEAVEN, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My grandfather told me I had a choice Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives GREEN APPLES, by RUTH STONE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In august we carried the old horsehair mattress Subject(s): Apples; Summer; Family Life; Relatives HANNAH, by LLOYD SCHWARTZ Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I walk on hooked rugs; my beds are covered with Subject(s): Homecoming; Family Life; Conduct Of Life; Relatives HANS READING, HANS SMOKING, by LIAM RECTOR Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My mother, poised around behavior, would say Subject(s): Reading; Smoking; Human Behavior; Family Life; Tobacco; Pipes; Cigars; Cigarettes; Conduct Of Life; Human Nature; Relatives HAPPY AND UNHAPPY FAMILIES: 1, by LISEL MUELLER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: If all happy families are alike Alternate Author Name(s): Muller, Lisel Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives HAPPY AND UNHAPPY FAMILIES: 2, by LISEL MUELLER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: According to the director Alternate Author Name(s): Muller, Lisel Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives HARD TIMES, by MICHAEL RYAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The lousy job my father lands Subject(s): Family Life; Food & Eating; Relatives HAZARD FACES A SUNDAY IN THE DECLINE, by WILLIAM MEREDITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We need the ceremony of one another, Alternate Author Name(s): Meredith, Morris Subject(s): Aging; Family Life; Cats; Dogs; Food & Eating; Relatives HELP ME TO SALT, HELP ME TO SORROW, by JUDY JORDAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In the moon-fade and the sun’s puppy breath Last Line: Give them to me Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Family Life; Relatives HERBERT WHITE, by FRANK BIDART Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When I hit her on the head, it was good Subject(s): Family Life; Grief; Divorce; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness HIGH AND HAUGHTY, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Ray, almost a spinster, gave up Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives HIPPOLYTE AT BREAKFAST, by LINDA PASTAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: She has forgotten Subject(s): Mothers & Daughters; Family Life; Relatives HIS FATHER CARVED UMBRELLA HANDLES, by CHARLES REZNIKOFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Ghettos; Teaching & Teachers; Family Life; Poverty; Despair; Educators; Professors; Relatives HIS HERITAGE, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My son, you'll soon be leaving Last Line: And a little of his dad. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives HIS MOTHER STERPPED ABOUT HER KITCHEN, by CHARLES REZNIKOFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Family Life; Jews; Friendship; Bullies; Jobs; Relatives; Judaism HISTORY OF MY HEART, by ROBERT PINSKY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: One christmastime fats waller in a fur coat Subject(s): Family Life; Childhood Memories; Mothers; Accidents; Sex; Coming Of Age; Relatives HOMAGE, by ROBERT WRIGLEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The three-bladed, dunce-capped agitator pulsed Subject(s): Laundery & Laundering; Family Life; Relatives HOME MOVIE, by RUTH STONE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: At the other end of a telescope, a long way Subject(s): Motion Pictures; Family Life; Movies; Cinema; Relatives HOME-FOLKS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Home-folks! - well, that-air Last Line: But you invite him, and he'll come. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Relatives HOUSEWORK, by JOAN LARKIN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Through this window, thin rivers Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives HOW JOHN QUITE THE FARM, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Nobody on the old farm here but mother, me and john Last Line: As you'd admit, ef you could see the way the crops turns out! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Family Life; Farm Life; Seasons; Relatives; Agriculture; Farmers HURRAH, HURRAH, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A full moon rises Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives I AM ALWAYS, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I sit on the toilet, the lid down Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives I GENITORI PERDUTI, by LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The dove-white gulls Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives I LEAVE HER WEEPING, by LIZ ROSENBERG Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I leave her weeping in her barred little bed, Subject(s): Daughters; Crying; Family Life; Relatives IN MEMORY, by ANNE STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Long summer shadows calm the grass Variant Title(s): The White Room Subject(s): Family Life; Past; Relatives IN THE HOME, by MARVIN BELL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Nothing in thick clothes is Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives INSECT LIFE OF FLORIDA, by LYNDA HULL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: In those days I thought their endless thrum Last Line: And dangerous as the human heart Alternate Author Name(s): Wojahn, David, Mrs. Subject(s): Florida; Family Life; Insects; Animals; Relatives; Bugs INSOMNIA AND THE SEVEN STEPS TO GRACE, by JOY HARJO Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: At dawn the panther of the heavens peers over the edge of the world Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives INSURED, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: When I come home at close of day Last Line: If I some night should not come home. Subject(s): Family Life; Insurance And Insurance Agents; Relatives JANUARY, by ALICE NOTLEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Mommy what's this fork doing? Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives JOHNNY-BOY, by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Ive sixteen sisters more or less Last Line: "but a ""johnny-boy""he counts a heap." Subject(s): Boys; Brothers; Family Life; Youth; Half-brothers; Relatives JUNETEENTH, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: With her shiny black-patent sandals Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives KEEP EACH OTHER YOUNG, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The wife and I have kept our youth and kept it / pretty well Last Line: The way that we have kept so young is keeping young each other. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives KEY, by EMILY BLANCHE MANN GROBY Poem Text First Line: They who have old houses should save the keys Last Line: Going in and out; -- as it was long before. Subject(s): Family Life; Houses; Keys; Relatives KIN, by MICHAEL S. HARPER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When news cane that yiour mother'd Last Line: As your own birthmark of his scream Subject(s): Family Life; Death – Mothers; Relatives; Dead, The KINDNESS, by SYLVIA PLATH Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Kindness glides about my house. Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Ted, Mrs. Subject(s): Kindness; Family Life; Relatives KINGDOM COME, by RANDY BLASING Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I held my breath Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives KINSHIP, by JAMES HARRISON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Great-uncle wilhelm, mennonite, patriarch Last Line: Curse them but don't die. Alternate Author Name(s): Harrison, Jim Subject(s): Aging; Family Life; Food & Eating; Uncles; Relatives KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, by YOLANDE CORNELIA GIOVANNI Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I always like summer / best Last Line: And sleep Alternate Author Name(s): Giovanni, Nikki Subject(s): African Americans; Americans; Appalachia; Family Life; Knoxville, Tennessee; Summer; United States; Women; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives; America LAMENT TO THE MAKERS, by FRANK BIDART Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: Not bird not badger not beaver not bee Subject(s): Dunbar, William (1465-1520); Family Life; Relatives LAST MONTH, by JOHN ASHBERY Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives LATE, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Your street was named for berries Last Line: Today I would answer for all those other things. Subject(s): Aunts; Childlessness; Family Life; Houses; Memory; Regret; Relatives LEAVING CHURCH EARLY, by JOHN UPDIKE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What, I wonder, were we hurrying to do Subject(s): Churches; Family Life; Forgiveness; Worship; Cathedrals; Relatives; Clemency LETTER TO THE FRONT, 2, by BARBARA RAS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When it is still, I listen for your voice. Subject(s): War - Home Front; Absence; Longing; Family Life; Letters; Separation; Isolation; Relatives LETTERS FOR THE DEAD, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The air darkened toward morning Subject(s): Family Life; Travel; Death; Conduct Of Life; Relatives; Journeys; Trips; Dead, The LEX TALIONIS, by FRANCIS MYERS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The boy crept out of the old box log Last Line: "and his hate kept hot, as it ought to have done." Subject(s): Aborigines, Australian; Boys; Family Life; Murder; Revenge; Relatives LIBER QUARTUS, SELECTION, by TITUS LUCRETIUS CARUS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Nor will ingenious women, free from pride Last Line: That parents nature is most prevalent. Alternate Author Name(s): Lucretius Subject(s): Family Life; Pride; Women; Relatives; Self-esteem; Self-respect LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The trees paint their reflections Last Line: In a little yellow book Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Mississippi River; African Americans; Relatives LINES ON SEEING MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN SLEEPING IN THE SAME CHAMBER, by THOMAS HOOD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: And has the earth lost its so spacious round Last Line: Together pant in everlasting life! Subject(s): Contentment; Family Life; Relatives LIVING, by FRANK STANFORD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I had my quiet time early in the morning Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Family Life; Country Life; Relatives LIZARDS AND SNAKES, by ANTHONY HECHT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: On the summer road that ran by our front porch Last Line: And swinges the scaly horror of his folded tail Subject(s): Lizards; Snakes; Family Life; Serpents; Vipers; Relatives LONELINESS, by LEE ANN RORIPAUGH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My father made me keep Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives LONELY EAGLES, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Being black in america Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): African Americans - Military; Aviation & Aviators; Air Warfare; World War Ii; African Americans - Military; Family Life; James, General Daniel 'chappie' (1920-78); Airplanes; Air Pilots; Second World War; Relatives LONELY EAGLES, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Being black in america Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): African Americans - Military; Family Life; James, General Daniel 'chappie' (1920-78; Relatives LOSS OF CONTROL, by PAT MORA Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: For me it was an adventure Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives LOVE BETWEEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, by ISAAC WATTS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Whatever brawls disturb the street Last Line: Fall out and chide and fight. Subject(s): Family Life; Mnemonics; Relatives MAKE YOURSELF INVISIBLE, by CHARLES SIMIC Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Drew islands with palm trees Subject(s): Seashore; Family Life; Beach; Coast; Shore; Relatives MEETING THE DEAD, by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: If we've loved them, it's what we want, and sometimes Last Line: The orderly gardens and homes of the living Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Peace; Dead, The; Relatives MEMORY, by ABRAHAM LINCOLN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My childhood's home I see again Last Line: And feel I'm part of thee! Subject(s): Family Life; Grief; Home; Memory; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness MICHAEL FLYNN AND THE BABY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Luk at 'ere, ould baby, - who Last Line: Don't yez know yer feyther -- boy? Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Babies; Family Life; Infants; Relatives MIDNIGHT IN THE PANTRY, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: You can boast your round of pleasures, praise Last Line: Just the joy of pantry-prowling in the middle of the night. Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives MIND, by HEATHER MCHUGH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A man looks at his watch to see Subject(s): Food & Eating; Youth; Schools; Family Life; Students; Relatives MIRANDA MORGAN, by QUEENE B. LISTER Poem Text First Line: She listened to the click Last Line: Who whistled like a bird. Alternate Author Name(s): Ryan, E. P., Mrs. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives MONGREL HEART, by DAVID BAKER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Up the dog bounds to the window, baying Subject(s): Family Life; Dogs; Relatives MOON OF HUNGER, MOON OF COYOTE HOWL, by JUDY JORDAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Heat waves rose with gas fumes from the pump Last Line: Earth this dark, dark star Subject(s): Automobiles - Service Stations; African Americans; Family Life; Poverty; Gasoline Stations; Filling Stations; Automobile Repair Shops; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives MOTHER, by HENRY CHAPPELL Poem Text First Line: There's a hand so firm and tender Last Line: Is burnt in mother's heart. Subject(s): Caregivers; Family Life; Home; Love; Mothers; Relatives MOTHER'S CURSE; FOR DIANE DI PRIMA, by ANNE WALDMAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Out of my pen: curses ride down Last Line: To meet the faces of women who take the words out of my mind. Subject(s): Babies; Birth; Breast Feeding; Family Life; Life; Mothers; Infants; Child Birth; Midwifery; Nursing (infants); Relatives MOTHERS, by ANNE SEXTON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Oh mother / here in your lap Subject(s): Family Life; God; Religion; Relatives; Theology MR AND MRS MARTIN, by H. HEAD Poem Text First Line: Some time in the month of october Last Line: "maybe they will think it his son." Subject(s): Aborigines, Australian; Crime & Criminals; Family Life; Relatives MRS. LING, by SUSAN N. PULSIFER Poem Text First Line: In my father's house is a very large family Last Line: Mrs. Ling. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives MUSIC, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When you wanted a piano Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives MY AUNT ELLA MAE, by MICHAEL S. HARPER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: She was the first to tell me of juneteenth Subject(s): Aunts; African Americans; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives MY CHILDHOOD'S HAPPY DAYS; TO MY PARENTS, by DANIEL WEBSTER DAVIS Poem Text First Line: Many poets great and gifted whom the muse's touch had blessed Last Line: When at last our bark is anchored there to spend our happiest days. Subject(s): Family Life; Parents; Relatives; Parenthood MY CHILDREN, by HAROLD CRAWFORD STEARNS Poem Text First Line: The stars-did you ever see stars Last Line: "yes, madam, to the sea." Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Stars; Childhood; Relatives MY FATHER IN THE NIGHT COMMANDING NO, by LOUIS SIMPSON Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives MY FATHER KEPT A HORSE, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: My father kept a horse and my mother kept a mare Last Line: "had a nip from the flea, had a bite from the louse" Subject(s): Animals;family Life;horses; Relatives MY FATHER'S GHOST, by DAVID WAGONER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I counted them, and now I look through the door Last Line: My father's ghost in my arms in his dark doorway Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers; Relatives MY FATHER'S LEAVING, by IRA SADOFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: When I came back, he was gone. Subject(s): Fathers; Mothers; Abandonment; Family Life; Desertion; Relatives MY GRANDFATHER DYING, by TED KOOSER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I could see bruises or shadows Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives 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 MY JOB, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I wonder where's a better job than buying cake and meat Last Line: Than serving day by day the needs of little girls and boys. Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives MY LAST AFTERNOON WITH UNCLE DEVEREUX WINSLOW, by ROBERT LOWELL Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I won't go with you. I want to stay with grandpa!' Variant Title(s): Life Studies: My Last Afternoon With Uncle Devereux Winslow Subject(s): Family Life; Grandparents; Relatives; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers MY MOTHER'S HANDS, by ANDREW HUDGINS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Yawning, she yanks the shuttle through the frame Last Line: Stuck motionlless and never moved Subject(s): Mothers; Family Life; Hands; Relatives MY POOR NEIGHBOR, by RAY CLARKE ROSE Poem Text First Line: My neighbor hath a lordly pile Last Line: While I have homeand you, my dear! Subject(s): Blessings; Family Life; Fathers; Happiness; Neighbors; Poverty; Wealth; Relatives; Joy; Delight; Riches; Fortunes NEEDFIRE, THIS LOW HEAVEN, by ALICE FULTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Noticing a snow-filled shopping cart Last Line: The sockets of flowers Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives NEW ENGLAND PORTRAIT, by KATHRYN WORTH Poem Text First Line: She faces life across a willow plate Last Line: Who rings herself with aureoles of race! Subject(s): Family Life; New England; Relatives NEW ENGLAND, AUTUMN, by NORMAN DUBIE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Our daughter dreamt of magnolias Last Line: I woke with a start as if we had set an alarm. Subject(s): Blood; Dreams; Family Life; New England; Nightmares; Relatives NEXT OF KIN, by CALVIN FORBES Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: Your name the one Subject(s): Relatives NO CHANCE, by WALT MASON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The man who never had a chance, the victim Last Line: Same old whinebecause he hadn't any spine. Subject(s): Family Life; Men; Pity; Relatives NO TIME, by BILLY COLLINS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In a rush this weekday morning Subject(s): Cemeteries; Family Life; Death; Parents; Graveyards; Relatives; Dead, The; Parenthood NOT LEAVING THE HOUSE, by GARY SYNDER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: When kai is born Subject(s): Family Life; Birth; Relatives; Child Birth; Midwifery NOTEBOOK OF A RETURN TO THE NATIVE LAND, SELECTION, by AIME CESAIRE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: At the end of daybreak Subject(s): Family Life; Negritude (literary Movement); Relatives NOTES TO MY DAUGHTERS, by SHIRLEY KAUFMAN Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: You were the reason for staying Last Line: Washing it away. Subject(s): Abandonment; Children; Family Life; Israel; Mortality; Mothers & Daughters; Parents; Desertion; Childhood; Relatives; Parenthood NURSERY REMINISCENCES, by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I remember, I remember Last Line: Must be whipp'd and sent to bed!' Alternate Author Name(s): Ingoldsby, Thomas Subject(s): Family Life; Childhood Memories; Punishment; Relatives OBSESSIVE, by MARVIN BELL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It could be a clip, it could be a comb Last Line: The father of a friend just sickened and sickened. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Games; Obsessions; Childhood; Relatives; Recreation; Pastimes; Amusements OCTOBER, by MAY SWENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A smudge for the horizon Subject(s): Family Life; Autumn; Childhood Memories; Nature; Relatives; Fall OLD-FASHIONED LADIES (TO THE MEMORY OF MY GREAT-AUNT, MADAME K-), by VICTOR GUSTAVE PLARR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: An ample hall, a stair with wide Last Line: That quaintness, calm and fine, god knows! Subject(s): Aunts; Family Life; Maturity; Relationships; Relatives ON AN UNSOCIABLE FAMILY, by ELIZABETH HANDS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: O what a strange parcel of creatures are we Last Line: For to please ourselves, truly, is more than we can. Alternate Author Name(s): Daphne Subject(s): Family Life; Indifference; Relatives ON PLOUGHING, by EVELYN D. BANGAY Poem Text First Line: The slow shuttle of husbandry Last Line: Sweating for daily bread. Subject(s): Family Life; Plowing & Plowmen; Relatives ON THE ARROW TRACK, by J. H. G. Poem Text First Line: Coming from the arrow, I / with my empty dray Last Line: "ta-ra-ra boom-dee-ay!" Subject(s): Aborigines, Australian; Family Life; Language; Singing & Singers; Relatives; Words; Vocabulary; Songs ONE DAY, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Everyone knows that the trees will go one day Variant Title(s): This Day Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives ONE MINUS ONE MINUS ONE, by JUNE JORDAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This is a first map of territory Last Line: In this loneliness Subject(s): Family Life; Solitude; Relatives OTHERWISE, by JANE KENYON Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I got out of bed Last Line: It will be otherwise Subject(s): Family Life; Mortality; Relatives OUR BE'THPLEACE, by WILLIAM BARNES Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How dear's the door a latch do shut Last Line: Our own vorelivers dead an' gone. Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Memory; Relatives OUR BICYCLES, by JAMES LAUGHLIN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My brother being the eldest had Subject(s): Bicycles; Family Life; Cycling; Relatives OUR FAMILY TREE; ON THE DEATH OF MY SISTER CECILIA, by JOSEPH CEPHAS HOLLY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Our family tree is in the sear Last Line: Our names shine bright as day. Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Sisters; Dead, The; Relatives OUR ROMANCE, by MARVIN BELL Poem Source Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The road is narrow which leads to that house Last Line: And saved the parents, being children. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Home; Parents; Childhood; Relatives; Parenthood PAJAMA QUOTIENT, by LINDA GREGERSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Coinage of the not-yet-wholly- Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives PALM ENDING IN WINTER, by IRA SADOFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Something simple, something clear Subject(s): Winter; Family Life; Relatives PERIANDER, by GEORGE MEREDITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How died melissa none dares shape in words Last Line: How black his gods behind their marble screens. Subject(s): Family Life; Murder; Revenge; Tyranny & Tyrants; Relatives PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, by LOUIS SIMPSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: He woke at five and, unable Last Line: From the depths of sleep. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives PLACE AND TIME, by LISEL MUELLER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Last night a man on the radio Alternate Author Name(s): Muller, Lisel Subject(s): War; Transience; Family Life; Impermanence; Relatives PLASTIC BEATITUDE, by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Our neighbors, the pazzotis, live in a long Last Line: To their last temptation. Subject(s): Blessings; Electricity; Extermination & Exterminators; Family Life; Insects; Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Neighbors; Toys; Women In The Bible; Relatives; Bugs; Virgin Mary PLAYING DEAD, by ANDREW HUDGINS Poem Text Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: Our father liked to play a game. Last Line: I’m way too young to quote ’em Subject(s): Fathers; Family Life; Death; Relatives; Dead, The PLOW CEMETERY, by JOHN UPDIKE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The plow: one of the three-mile inns that nicked Last Line: Plow cemetery, downhill from the church Subject(s): Cemeteries; Family Life; Grandparents; Homecoming; Graveyards; Relatives; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers POEM FOR MY FATHER'S GHOST, by MARY OLIVER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Now is my father Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers; Relatives POLITICS, by WILLIAM MEREDITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Alternate Author Name(s): Meredith, Morris Subject(s): Politics & Government; Marriage; Lust; Family Life; Mcgovern, George (1922-2012); Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Relatives POLYHYMNIA: DEDICATION TO THE COUNTESS OF LINDSEY, by WILLIAM BASSE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: This laureat nymph, one of the daughters nine Last Line: While fame has breath her ivory trump to sound. Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Daughters; Family Life; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Relatives POOR NORTH, by MARK STRAND Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It is cold, the snow is deep Subject(s): Cold; Family Life; Relatives PORTER, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Suddenly / when I hear airplanes overhead Last Line: He looks down. Then he looks at me and grins. / I took it, too! Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): African Americans - Military; Family Life; Aviation & Aviators; Relatives PORTRAIT BY PICHER, by FRANCES BAKER Poem Text First Line: There are not many leaves Last Line: Bend wearily above the earth. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives PRACTICING, by LINDA PASTAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My son is practicing the piano. Subject(s): Family Life; Conduct Of Life; Relatives PREPARATION, by ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The bone-man lives in a stucco Subject(s): Family Life; Dogs; Death; Relatives; Dead, The PRIOR TO MISS BELLE'S APPEARANCE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What makes you come here fer, mister Last Line: Ist fly-an' ever-thing! . . . I wisht I'd die! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Childhood; Relatives QUARREL, by ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Since morning they have been quareling Subject(s): Quarrels; Family Life; Arguments; Disagreements; Relatives QUARRIED STONE, by ALICE MONKS MEARS Poem Text First Line: He who lay on rock Last Line: The sun on quarried stone. Subject(s): Abandonment; Family Life; Sleep; Desertion; Relatives RADIO SKY, by NORMAN DUBIE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The blue house at mills cross Last Line: Drifting under the familiar worn sheet. Subject(s): Comfort; Cruelty; Family Life; Infertility; Relatives RAIN SONG, by KHALED MATTAWA Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The radio blares “dialogue of souls Last Line: Those who despair Subject(s): Rain; Despair; Youth; Family Life; Coming Of Age; Relatives RAW SILK, by MEENA ALEXANDER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Open the door or I'll faint hearing amma's voice Last Line: Raw silk turned to smoke in the night's throat Subject(s): Children; Death; Family Life; Memory; Poetry Readings; Childhood; Dead, The; Relatives READING AFTER A CALL FROM MY EX-WIFE, by CHARLIE SMITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I read a novel in which the main character used etcetera Subject(s): Divorce; Family Life; Marriage; Relationships; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives RECAPITULATIONS, by KARL SHAPIRO Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I was born downtown on a wintry day Subject(s): Birth; Family Life; Jews; World War Ii; Coming Of Age; Youth; Blacks; Divorce; Christianity; Conduct Of Life; Child Birth; Midwifery; Relatives; Judaism; Second World War RECOLLECTION, by CONRAD CHITTICK Poem Text First Line: My mother used to seat me by her side Last Line: "thumb in my fist, and -- ""sh-h my sleepy child." Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives REJECTED ADDRESSES: CUI BONO, BY LORD B., by JAMES SMITH (1775-1839) Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Sated with home, of wife, of children tired Last Line: And moody madness laughs and hugs the chain he clanks. Subject(s): Byron, George Gordon, Lord (1788-1824); Family Life; Home; Poetry & Poets; Soul; Byron, George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron; Relatives RELATIVES, by JOHN UPDIKE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Just the thought of them makes your jawbone ache Last Line: To love one's self is to love them all Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives REMEMBERING, by VIRGINIA TAYLOR MCCORMICK Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Rosana was our mammy's niece Last Line: When we were gone. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives REQUIESCAT IN PACE!, by JEAN INGELOW Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O my heart, my heart is sick a-wishing and awaiting Last Line: And veil thy breast with icicles, and thy brow with snow! Subject(s): Family Life; God; Hearts; Kisses; Love; Mountains; Relatives; Hills; Downs (great Britain) RESURRECTION OF THE DAUGHTER, by NTOZAKE SHANGE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The family had been ill for some time Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, Paulette Subject(s): African Americans; Daughters; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives RIDER, by CHARLIE SMITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This time we are getting drunk on retsina Subject(s): Family Life; Divorce; Relatives ROADSIDE POEMS: AN OLD SERMON WITH A NEW TEXT, by GEORGE MACDONALD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My wife contrived a fleecy thing Last Line: That holdeth fast thy life. Subject(s): Children; Education; Family Life; God; Sermons; Sewing; Childhood; Relatives ROADSIDE POEMS: LITTLE ELFIE, by GEORGE MACDONALD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I have a puppet-jointed child Last Line: Sleep shining through the dark. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Innocence; Childhood; Relatives ROBINSON, by WELDON KEES Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: The dog stops barking after robinson has gone Last Line: Where trees are actual and take no holiday Subject(s): Family Life; Relationships; Relatives ROBINSON AT HOME, by WELDON KEES Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: Curtains drawn back, the door ajar Last Line: And the long curtains blow into the room Subject(s): Family Life; Relationships; Disappointment; Relatives ROMANTIC SONNET, by CHARLES SIMIC Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Family Life; Childhood Memories; Relatives ROOM FULL OF USED BABY FURNITURE FOR SALE, by WILLIAM MATTHEWS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The scolic scabs have been pried off Alternate Author Name(s): Matthews, William Procter Subject(s): Furniture; Family Life; Relatives RUMOR AT TWILIGHT, by ROBERT PENN WARREN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Rumor at twilight of whisper, crepuscular Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives RUNNED AWAY, by BURGES JOHNSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Dear sis: I wrote this noat to say I've been an Last Line: Hiding in the stable. Subject(s): Brothers; Children; Escapes; Family Life; Letters; Sisters; Half-brothers; Childhood; Fugitives; Relatives RUSH HOUR, by BRUCE A. JACOBS Poem Text First Line: My honda drops Subject(s): Automobiles; Escapes; Family Life; Racism; Cars; Fugitives; Relatives; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry SALT, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This one woman has been sobbing Subject(s): Air Travel; Family Life; Love - Loss Of; Relatives SCENE OF A SUMMER MORNING, by IRVING FELDMAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Scene of a summer morning: my mother walking Last Line: Drifting, the ten tribes there, gone forever Subject(s): Family Life; Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); Jews; Relatives; Shoah; Judaism SEIZURE, by LYNN EMANUEL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This was the winter mother told time by my heart Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives SELF-PORTRAIT, by LLOYD SCHWARTZ Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I was sitting in her living room Subject(s): Paintings & Painters; Family Life; Relatives SELF-STORAGE, by ALICE FULTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Doesn't that feel great? Subject(s): Gifts & Giving; Family Life; Relatives 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 SESTINA, by ELIZABETH BISHOP Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: September rain falls on the house Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives SHELVES ON THE CLARK FORK, by DAVID BOTTOMS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I know you're restless Last Line: And across these stones. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives SIETE ROBLES, by THERESA M. MCLEAN Poem Text First Line: Beyond a mountain trail Last Line: Than health, and these. Subject(s): Brothers; Family Life; Half-brothers; Relatives SINCE NELLIE GOT THE HOOK, by WILLIAM A. PHELON Poem Text First Line: A cloud of sorrow darks the house Last Line: (chorus) Subject(s): Family Life; Grief; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness SIR GUY THE CRUSADER, by WILLIAM SCHWENCK GILBERT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Sir guy was a doughty crusader Last Line: Grew bulky and quitted the stage. Alternate Author Name(s): Gilbert, W. S. Subject(s): Crusades; Family Life; Knights & Knighthood; Relatives SMOKE, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Can you imagine the air filled with smoke? Last Line: From poetry Subject(s): Family Life; Smoke; Relatives SNAKES, by EILEEN MYLES Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I was 6 and Last Line: From the massachusetts review Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Telephones; Childhood; Relatives SNOWBANKS NORTH OF THE HOUSE, by DONALD HALL Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: Those great sweeps of snow that stop suddenly six feet from the house... Subject(s): Death - Children; Family Life; Death - Babies; Relatives SNOWBOUND, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: The sun that brief december day / rose cheerless over hills of gray Last Line: The benediction of the air. Variant Title(s): New England In Winter;a Winter Idyl;snow-bound;snow-bound: A Winter Idyll Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Massachusetts; Memory; Religion; Snow; Winter; Relatives; Theology SOMEBODY'LL HAV' TO SHOOT YA DOWN', by NORMAN DUBIE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Charlie parker running a tow-line / from a red barge Last Line: That is beyond the grave like a great granite keep. Subject(s): Aviation & Aviators; Family Life; Life Change Events; Loss; Parker, Charlie ('bird') (1920-1955); Peace; Airplanes; Air Pilots; Relatives SONG OF SOCIAL DESPAIR, by MARVIN BELL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Ethics without faith, excuse me Last Line: Inevitably on the wrong side looking out. Subject(s): Faith; Family Life; Morality; Belief; Creed; Relatives; Ethics SONG OF THE SCUTTLE (AFTER EUGENE FIELD), by THOMAS AUGUSTINE DALY Poem Text First Line: Oh, ye who are fond of music Last Line: The rattle of coal in the scuttle that mom drags up the stairs. Alternate Author Name(s): Daly, T. A. Subject(s): Family Life; Field, Eugene (1850-1895); Relatives SONGS OF LOVE AND YOUTH: PROLOGUE, by AUSTIN PHILIPS Poem Text First Line: Even as one who finds his face Last Line: But ever battling upwards,battling towards the light. Subject(s): Family Life; Hearts; Love; Mothers; Youth; Relatives SONNET: 6, by CHRISTOPHER PEARSE CRANCH Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Ah, many a time our memory slips aside Last Line: And crowned our nights with coronals of dreams. Subject(s): Family Life; Games; Memory; Relatives; Recreation; Pastimes; Amusements SONNET: ON A FAMILY PICTURE, by THOMAS EDWARDS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: When pensive on that portraiture I gaze Last Line: Single, unpropped, and nodding to my fall. Subject(s): Family Life; Portraits; Relatives SORT OF TIMID LIKE, by OLIVER MURRAY EDWARDS Poem Text First Line: Once I loved a maiden Last Line: Sort of timid like. Subject(s): Family Life; Love - Marital; Relatives; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love SOUTHERN GOTHIC, by NATASHA TRETHEWEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I have lain down into 1970, into the bed Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives SPENDING THE DAY ON A SLEEPING PORCH, by REBECCA WOLFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This is the enclosure my family Last Line: At every opportunity Subject(s): Day; Family Life; Sleep; Relatives SPIRITS AT HOME, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: There was father, and mother. And emmy, and jane Last Line: "for we live in the ghost of the old house now!" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Home; Spiritual Life; Dead, The; Relatives SPRUNG, by CHARLIE SMITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: The ministerial shapes of / chinese women Subject(s): Gardens & Gardening; Family Life; Relatives SPUNKIE, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Oh, what's come o' spunkie? Last Line: In the darkest o' nichts it shines on the way. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives SQUARE PEGS, by CLIFFORD BAX Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: What's that? The taximeter points, you day Last Line: That all men share, the world for man is one. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives STAR-FIX, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: At his cramped desk Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): African Americans - Military; Family Life; Relatives STILLORGAN, by JAMES MONAHAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: This house that is not old or beautiful Last Line: Deeper than words, and words can never say. Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Relatives STUDIES STATIC AND ECSTATIC, by EDWARD RALPH CHEYNEY Poem Text First Line: In the house of my fathers Last Line: And goes on its way, whistling. Alternate Author Name(s): Cheyney, Ralph Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers; Home; Self; Soul; Relatives SUBURBAN IDYL, by POLLY CHASE Poem Text First Line: They are clearing ground to build a house Last Line: And children's arms around us like a wall! Subject(s): Calm; Family Life; Flowers; Suburbs; Placid; Undisturbed; Tranquility; Relatives SUMMER KITCHEN, by DONALD HALL Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: In june's high light she stood at the sink Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives SUMMERTIME CAVATINAS, by KHALED MATTAWA Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The general's wife came Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives SUNDAY, by TIMOTHY LIU Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: And when they sat down in the morning Subject(s): Family Life; Relationships; Relatives SUNDAY AFTERNOONS, by YUSEF KOMUNYAKAA Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: They'd latch the screen doors Alternate Author Name(s): Brown, James Willie, Jr. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives SUPPER AT THE MILL, by JEAN INGELOW Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Well, frances / well, good mother, how are you? Last Line: The supper's ready. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Food & Eating; Mills & Millers; Plays & Playwrights ; Childhood; Relatives; Dramatists SUPPLE CORD, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My brother, in his small white bed Subject(s): Brothers; Family Life; Half-brothers; Relatives TAKING DOWN THE TREE, by JANE KENYON Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Give me some light! Cries hamlet's Last Line: We're having, let it be extravagant Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives TAKING THE TRAIN HOME, by WILLIAM MATTHEWS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Dusk grew on the window. Alternate Author Name(s): Matthews, William Procter Subject(s): Railways; Homecoming; Family Life; Fathers; Death; Relatives; Dead, The TALKNG AMONG OURSELVES, by CHARLIE SMITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In the rental cottage it comes to me, Subject(s): Brothers; Family Life; Divorce; Grief; Half-brothers; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness TESTIMONY, by PETER JOHNSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Today I learned 'gomez' meant ox urine Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers; Relatives THANKSGIVING, by OLIVER MURRAY EDWARDS Poem Text First Line: Thanksgiving day is set apart Last Line: "praise father, son, and holy ghost!" Subject(s): Family Life; Holidays; Nations; Praise; Prayer; Thanksgiving; Turkey; Relatives THAT KIND OF POEM', by KAREN SWENSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: He called our son to ask if he Last Line: "of poem"" to keep her alive." Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Women; Dead, The; Relatives THE ARK UPON HIS SHOULDERS, by FORREST GANDER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My husband did all this. - we used to live Subject(s): Family Life; Marriage; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives THE BALLAD OF AUNT GENEVA, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Geneva was the wild one Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Literary Form; Racism; Relatives; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry THE BALLAD OF THE THREE SONS, by AMANDA BENJAMIN HALL Poem Text First Line: A rich man is a man Last Line: But I have none. Alternate Author Name(s): Brownell, John A., Mrs. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE BLACK MAMMY, by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O whitened head entwined in turban gay Last Line: That it some day might crush thine own black child? Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Babies; Family Life; Infants; Relatives THE BLOODY SON, by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O where have ye been the morn sae late Last Line: "o dear mither." Subject(s): Family Life; Morning; Relatives THE BLUE-GRASS PLOT, by JOHN TROTWOOD MOORE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: O the blue-grass plot, the blue-grass plot Last Line: The grass-plot over the river. Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Family Life; Relatives THE BOARDER, by LOUIS SIMPSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The time is after dinner. Cigarettes Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND EYES: I LOVE, by LYN HEJINIAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I love says the acrobat Last Line: And the dirty glass of the jugs of the juggler Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: ABSALOM, by MURIEL RUKEYSER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I first discovered what was killing these men. Subject(s): Family Life; Labor & Laborers; Death; Relatives; Work; Workers; Dead, The THE CHARCOAL PAN, by H. HEAD Poem Text First Line: Though huts like ours were rather scarce Last Line: Whose names were scarcely known. Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Fire; Tents; Dead, The; Relatives THE CHILDREN, by NORMAN DUBIE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: It was the first wednesday of a scarcity of candles Last Line: That evening in a coffin. Variant Title(s): Psalm 23 Subject(s): Animals; Bombs; Family Life; Horses; Sweden; World War Ii; Relatives; Second World War THE COMING DAY, by EAMON GRENNAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Up as usual in the dark Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE CONTRAST, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: See yonder wretched little girl Last Line: "we'll pray, ""god bless the temperance dwelling." Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Family Life; Temperance; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; Relatives; Prohibition THE CRUEL BROTHER (1), by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: There were three ladies played at the ba' Subject(s): Brothers & Sisters;family Life;marriage;murder; Relatives;weddings;husbands;wives THE DAY THAT WAS THAT DAY, by AMY LOWELL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The wind rose, and the wind fell Subject(s): Women; Despair; Loveless; Poisons & Poisoning; Family Life; Relatives THE DOLL, by AGNES LEE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: There's something strange about the child tonight Last Line: When she comes looking, and it isn't here! Alternate Author Name(s): Freer, Otto, Mrs. Subject(s): Dolls; Family Life; Poverty; Toys; Relatives THE DOODLE-BUGS'S CHARM, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When uncle sidney he comes Last Line: "come up an' git some bread!" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Family Life; Gardens & Gardening; Insects; Relatives; Bugs THE END, by MARGUERITE WILKINSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My father got me strong and straight and slim Last Line: "I am the end." Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY, by ROBERT CREELEY Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY, by KATHERINE MANSFIELD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Hineoa, tui, maina, / all of them born together Last Line: "get them!"" but I wouldn't let you." Alternate Author Name(s): Murry, John Middleton, Mrs.; Beauchamp, Kathleen Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY FOOL, by WILLIAM SCHWENCK GILBERT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Oh! A private buffoon is a light-hearted loon Last Line: They don't blame youso long as you're funny! Alternate Author Name(s): Gilbert, W. S. Subject(s): Family Life; Fools; Humor; Relatives; Idiots THE FAMILY LARAMIE, by WILLIAM HENRY DRUMMOND Poem Text First Line: Hssh! Look at ba-bee on de lettle blue chair Last Line: Will help bring dem back to me. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY MEETING, by CHARLES SPRAGUE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: We are all here Last Line: We 're all all here! Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY'S HOMELY MAN, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: There never was a family without its homely Last Line: To smooth the little troubles out and drive the cares away. Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY: 1. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: High as my heart! The quip be mine Last Line: My solace and its ornament! Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Family Life; Mothers & Daughters; Relatives THE FAMILY: 2. THE DAUGHTER, TEUILA, NATIVE NAME FOR ADORNER, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Man, child, or woman, none from her Last Line: Matron and child, my friend and scribe! Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Daughters; Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY: 3, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: About my fields, in the broad sun Last Line: And digs like a demented beast. Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY: 4, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Tall as a guardsman, pale as the east at dawn Last Line: -- and for his music, too, exacts applause. Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY: 5, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The adorner of the uncomely - those Last Line: Raise my dictating voice on high. Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY: 6, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What glory for a boy of ten Last Line: Rides off downhill into the wood. Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY: 7, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The old lady (so they say) but I Last Line: In roaring tree, round whistling clift. Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY: 8, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I meanwhile in the populous house apart Last Line: That pipes in the grey eve. Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FAMILY: 9, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: These rings, o my beloved pair Last Line: It I have kissed and blessed you both. Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour Subject(s): Family Life; Jewelry & Jewelers; Relatives THE FARMER'S WIFE, by BERTON BRALEY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My husband is a good, hardworking man Last Line: "and john's come in. ""yes, I'll have supper soon!" Subject(s): Family Life; Freedom; Love - Marital; Marriage; Relatives; Liberty; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love; Weddings; Husbands; Wives THE FEARFUL CHILD, by CAROL FROST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: As a child I parleyed with animals, stuffed and real. Subject(s): Children; Pets; Family Life; Fear; Childhood; Relatives THE FINGER, by ROBERT CREELEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: Father/and mother Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE FIRESIDE, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: "the hearth was clean, the fire clear" Last Line: I ask no more of heaven Subject(s): Family Life;happiness; Relatives;joy;delight THE FLAT-HUNTER'S WAY, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Last Line: We think we'll stay another year. Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A. Subject(s): Family Life; City Snd Town Life; Wity And Humor; Apartments; Central Park, New York City; Relatives THE FOOTSTEPS, by DONALD HALL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In the kitchen of the old house, late Subject(s): Fathers; Past; Family Life; Relatives THE FORTUNATE SPILL, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Well! Johnnie thinks. He has his nerve! Last Line: As they fall for each other, and for me Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; African Americans; Courtship; Luck; Love; Relatives THE FOUNDRY GARDEN, by STANLEY PLUMLY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Fathers; Family Life; Relatives THE FREEBORN, by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: God made the man and bid him multiply Last Line: When this free man comes forth, what must he do? Alternate Author Name(s): Sigerson, Dora; Shorter, Mrs. Clement Subject(s): Crime & Criminals; Family Life; Fathers; Hunger; Poverty; Relatives THE GARDEN, by MARK STRAND Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It shines in the garden Subject(s): Gardens & Gardening; Family Life; Relatives THE GEATE A-VALLEN TO, by WILLIAM BARNES Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In the zunsheen ov our zummers Last Line: The geäte a-vallèn to. Subject(s): Children; Country Life; Family Life; Fences; Childhood; Relatives THE GHOST, by BLANCHE C. HARDY Poem Text First Line: The poor ghost stood by the window Last Line: "shut that door,"" said the master." Subject(s): Family Life; Ghosts; Supernatural; Relatives THE GLASS HAMMER, by ANDREW HUDGINS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My mother's knickknack crystal hammer Last Line: Who hammered me – goddamn 'er Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE GLASS HOUSE, by JANE MILLER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I enter at dusk Last Line: Not that, she says, anything but that. Subject(s): Family Life; Houses; Modern Man; Relatives THE GOLDEN SHOVEL, by TERRANCE HAYES Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Last Line: Of hunger, we end too soon Subject(s): Family Life; Youth; Relatives THE GONE YEARS, by ALICE FULTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Night pockets the house Last Line: Swith his long wool arms Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE GOOD OLD DAYS AT HOME SWEET HOME, by MARGE PIERCY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: On monday my mother washed. Subject(s): Family Life; Mothers; Relatives THE GOSPEL WOMEN: 1. THE MOTHER MARY, by GEORGE MACDONALD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Mary, to thee the heart was given Last Line: His life from hers he drew. Subject(s): Bible; Drinks & Drinking; Family Life; Grief; Jesus Christ; Mary. Mother Of Jesus; Mothers; Women - Bible; Wine; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness; Virgin Mary THE GRAVE OF A NIGGER, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: "'yes, it's true that's the grave of a nigger" Last Line: Where foam-waters gurgled their way.' Subject(s): "aborigines, Australian;death;family Life;heroism;horse Racing;" "dead, The;relatives;heroes;heroines; THE GREAT AUNTS OF MY CHILDHOOD, by ALICE FULTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Buns harden like pomanders Last Line: With harsh yellow soap Subject(s): Family Life; Aunts; Relatives THE GROSS CLINIC, by CAROL FROST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I have a sister who takes care of animals, whose artistry is flesh Subject(s): Gross, Samuel D. (1805-1884); Surgery; Family Life; Relatives THE HAPPIEST DAY, by LINDA PASTAN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It was early may, I think Subject(s): Family Life; Happiness; Relatives; Joy; Delight THE HIVE, by ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: To do something with it: to make something of it Subject(s): Family Life; Human Behavior; Relatives; Conduct Of Life; Human Nature THE HOLE WE'VE BEEN DIGGING, by MICHAEL TEIG Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Since I've come home, put on all my shoes, Subject(s): Homecoming; Family Life; Relatives THE HOMESTEADER, by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Wind-swept and fire-swept and Last Line: "I've found a bigger meaning for the little word called ""home." Subject(s): Family Life; Homesteaders; Relatives THE HOUSE, by GENEVIEVE BUCKLEY STARR Poem Text First Line: When mother looks at me and says Last Line: And not mom's little son. Subject(s): Family Life; Mothers; Relatives THE HOUSE AT EVENING, by WILLIAM ROSE BENET Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Across the school-ground it would start Last Line: Dim worlds aflame. Subject(s): Family Life; Houses; Relatives THE HOUSE IN WHICH WE NOW LIVED WAS OLD, by CHARLES REZNIKOFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Family Life; Youth; Fear; Household Employees; Relatives; Servants; Domestics; Maids THE HOUSE ON MOSCOW STREET, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It's the ragged source of memory Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Ethnic Groups - United States; Family Life; Minorities - United States; United States - Race Relations; Relatives THE HOUSE WAS JUST TWINKLING IN THE MOONLIGHT, by GERTRUDE STEIN Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography Subject(s): Babies; Family Life; Infants; Relatives THE IMPRISONED INNOCENTS (OR THE COMPLAINT OF A PHILOSOPHER OF FAMILY), by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: One morning I said to my wife Last Line: Of heirs to adam's sin! Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE INVADERS, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Through dim mysterious, darkened halls Last Line: You cannot keep the children out. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Childhood; Relatives THE INVESTMENT, by ROBERT FROST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Over back where they speak of life as staying Subject(s): Family Life; Marriage; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives THE JOURNEY AND OBSERVATIONS OF A COUNTRYMAN: A DEATHBED, by JOHN HAWTHORN Poem Text First Line: A little house there stood within a glen Last Line: Before a wretch that used his parents ill.... Subject(s): Family Life; Ingratitude; Poverty; Relatives; Ungratefulness THE KEEPER'S SON, by ANDRE THEURIET Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Black is the night and as though in fight Last Line: The son of the keeper had breathed his last! Subject(s): Death - Children; Family Life; Fathers & Sons; Poaching; Death - Babies; Relatives THE LABORER, by RICHARD DEHMEL Poem Text First Line: We have a bed, and a baby too Last Line: Only time! Subject(s): Family Life; Fields; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Time; Relatives; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers THE LAST OF THE FAMILY, by ROBERT SOUTHEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What, gregory! You are come, I see, to join us Last Line: God make us ready, gregory, when it comes. Subject(s): Aging; Faith; Family Life; Funerals; God; Belief; Creed; Relatives; Burials THE LEAF PILE, by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Now here is a typical children's story Last Line: The mark of my hand a blush on my son's cheek Subject(s): Family Life; Mothers; Sons; Relatives THE LESSON, by ELLEN BRYANT VOIGT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The earnest are the easiest deceived Subject(s): Tadpoles; Family Life; Truth; Relatives THE LIBRARIAN, by CHARLES OLSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: The landscape (the landscape!) again: gloucester Subject(s): Gloucester, Massachusetts; Librarians & Libraries; Poetry Readings; Homecoming; Family Life; Library; Librarians; Relatives THE LITTLE BROTHER POEM, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I keep seeing your car in the streets Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE LITTLE THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The little things around the house are what will / hurt the most Last Line: The little things around the house are what will help the most. Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Dead, The; Relatives THE LOEHRS AND THE HAMMONDS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Hey, bud! O bud!' rang out a gleeful call Last Line: Taffy and pop-corn -- so with cheers they went. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Childhood; Relatives THE LOVE POEMS OF MARICHIKO: 3, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Oh the anguish of these secret meetings Last Line: Words with not connection Subject(s): Family Life; Fear; Man-woman Relationships; Secrets; Relatives; Male-female Relations THE MARRIED MAN, by CHARLES BADGER CLARK JR. Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: There's an old pard of mine that sits by his door Last Line: When I'm tired from the wind and the sun. Alternate Author Name(s): Clark, Badger Subject(s): Cowboys; Family Life; Relatives THE MARTYR, by WALT MASON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My wife and seven daughters,' said g Last Line: Gravel carters, that girls may have a treat! Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers & Daughters; Relatives THE MCCARTHY HEARINGS, by IRA SADOFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Everything's under suspicion Subject(s): Army-mccarthy Hearings (1954); Family Life; Relatives THE MEAL, by SHARON OLDS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Mama, I never stop seeing you there Subject(s): Food & Eating; Mothers; Family Life; Relatives THE MELON, by CHARLES SIMIC Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: There was a melon fresh from the garden Subject(s): Melons; Death; Hornets; Family Life; Dead, The; Relatives THE MESSAGE, by MATHILDE BLIND Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: From side to side the sufferer tossed Last Line: Fell back, sir, and was dead. Alternate Author Name(s): Lake, Claude Subject(s): Mothers; Homecoming; Dreams; Family Life; Longing; Death; Nightmares; Relatives; Dead, The THE MILLENNIUM, by PETER JOHNSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In the basement Subject(s): Christmas; Family Life; Holidays; New Year; Nativity, The; Relatives THE MINIATURE CITY, by CHARLIE SMITH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The aging family life fades out, subsides Subject(s): Family Life; Transience; Relatives; Impermanence THE MOONLIGHT'S DREAM, by ROBERT PENN WARREN Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Why did I wake at night, all the house at rest? Subject(s): Family Life; Sleep; Dreams; Night; Relatives; Nightmares; Bedtime THE MYSTERY OF THE CAVES, by MICHAEL WATERS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I don't remember the name of the story Subject(s): Caves; Child Molesting; Danger; Family Life; Heroism; Parents; Caverns; Child Abuse; Relatives; Heroes; Heroines; Parenthood THE OLD BARK HUT, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: In an old bark hut on the mountainside Last Line: And broken a woman's heart Subject(s): Crimes & Criminals;death;family Life;fathers & Sons;hunting;waiting; "dead, The;relatives;hunters; THE OLD MASS SHANDRYDAN, by P. J. HARTIGAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I can see it in my dreaming o'er a gap of thirty years Last Line: When I saw it o'er the tail-board of the old mass shandrydan. Alternate Author Name(s): O'brien, John+(2) Subject(s): Christianity; Family Life; Mass; Relatives THE OLD-TIME FAMILY, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It makes me smile to hear 'em tell each other Last Line: I never heard my father or my mother wish for less. Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE ORDEAL, by JOHN DAVIDSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Between the golden city and the sea Last Line: Across the sounding threshold of the sea. Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Family Life; Justice; Longing; Love; Marriage; Rites & Ceremonies; Torture; Tragedy; Unfaithfulness; Violence; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Infidelity; Adultery; Inconstancy THE PATCHWORK QUIZ, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: In sheen of silken splendor Last Line: When mother dear was there. Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs. Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Clothing & Dress; Family Life; Fashion; Mothers; Quilts; Relatives THE PENTECOSTAL, by DAVID BOTTOMS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: A few miles north of thompson falls Last Line: Their twelve-year-old witness, their runaway daughter. Subject(s): Family Life; Hallucinations & Illusions; Montana; Relatives THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR, by LOUIS SIMPSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: He isn't a religious man Subject(s): Neighbors; Family Life; Fatners; Transience; Mortality; Happiness; Relatives; Impermanence; Joy; Delight THE PHOTOS, by DIANE WAKOSKI Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My sister in her well-tailored silk blouse hands me Subject(s): Family Life; Photography & Photographers; Relatives THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 123, by HAN SHAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Wealth and position attract distant kin Last Line: Even leather shoes wear thin Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan Subject(s): Chinese Literature; Family Life; Poverty; Wealth; Relatives; Riches; Fortunes THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 21, by HAN SHAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My parents stayed busy enough Last Line: Woodcutters often stop by Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan Subject(s): Chinese Literature; Family Life; Idleness; Relatives; Laziness; Sloth; Indolence THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 240, by HAN SHAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I have six brothers Last Line: Everybody praises Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan Subject(s): Brothers; Chinese Literature; Family Life; Punishment; Shame; Half-brothers; Relatives THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 241, by HAN SHAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I see people everywhere Last Line: End your attachment to form Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan Subject(s): Buddhism; Chinese Literature; Family Life; Parents; Buddha; Buddhists; Relatives; Parenthood THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 31, by HAN SHAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: A mountain man lives under thatch Last Line: A shelf full of nothing but books Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan Subject(s): Books; Chinese Literature; Family Life; Mountains; Reading; Relatives; Hills; Downs (great Britain) THE POEMS OF PICKUP: 11, by HAN SHAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: A son demands a wife Last Line: But not in your book of crimes Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan Subject(s): Chinese Literature; Family Life; Marriage; Wealth; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Riches; Fortunes THE PORTSMOUTH SAILOR, by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Come back, o magical evenings Last Line: To stories of over sea! Alternate Author Name(s): Dean Subject(s): Family Life; New Hampshire; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Sailing & Sailors; Story-telling; Relatives THE RAINS, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The river rises / and the rains keep coming. Subject(s): Rain; Fear; Family Life; Relatives THE RIGHT FAMILY, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: With time our notions allus change Last Line: She'd vow her fam'ly was jus' right! Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE RUNAWAY BOY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Wunst I sassed my pa, an' he Last Line: I won't run away no more! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Family Life; Punishment; Wandering & Wanderers; Relatives THE SADNESS OF PARENTS, by BARBARA RAS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The sadness of fruit is like the sadness Subject(s): Mothers; Family Life; Grief; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness THE SEAGULL; CHEKHOV AT YALTA, by NORMAN DUBIE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: A winter evening at the cottage by the bay Last Line: "I will write that we have departed for france, for italy." Subject(s): Chekhov, Anton (1860-1904); Family Life; Funerals; Gardens & Gardening; Graves; Tuberculosis; Relatives; Burials; Tombs; Tombstones; Consumption (pathology) THE SECOND CONCESSION OF DEER, by WILLIAM WYE SMITH Poem Text First Line: John tompkins lived in a house of logs Last Line: Of his own domain in deer. Subject(s): Change; Family Life; Houses; Old Age; Relatives THE SELF-UNSEEING, by THOMAS HARDY Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Here is the ancient floor Last Line: Yet we were looking away! Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE SINGING SCHOOL, by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: First they asked you to step through the many rooms Last Line: Your own story Subject(s): Family Life; Schools; Singing & Singers; Relatives; Students THE SKY, by JOSEPH ENZWEILER Poem Text First Line: The screen door closes at 2 a. M Subject(s): Family Life; Memory; Relatives THE SPANISH GYPSY: BOOK 3, by MARY ANN EVANS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Quit now the town, and with a journeying dream Last Line: Where we have found each other, my fedalma. Alternate Author Name(s): Eliot, George; Cross, Marian Lewes; Evans, Marian; Ann, Mary Subject(s): Christianity; Family Life; Inquisition; Man-woman Relationships; Moors (land); Moors (people); Spain; War; Relatives; Male-female Relations THE SPOILED CHILD, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Cause herbert graham's a' only child Last Line: "wuz I there, ma? Wuz I there, ma?" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Childhood; Relatives THE STEIN FAMILY, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: "there's a wonderful family, called stein" Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE STEPMOTHER, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: First she come to our house Last Line: She's purt' nigh good as mother was! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Death; Family Life; Love; Mothers; Stepmothers; Dead, The; Relatives THE STICK-TOGETHER FAMILIES, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The stick-together families are happier by far Last Line: Come you back unto the fireside and be comrade with your kin. Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE STORY AFTER THE STORY, by MARIE PONSOT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: N bubbles to the elbow, on my knees Subject(s): Story-telling; Family Life; Children; Absence; Disappointment; Relatives; Childhood; Separation; Isolation THE STRENGTH OF THE WEAK, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Last chris'mus, little benny Last Line: "you skeer me thataway!" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Children; Christmas; Family Life; Gifts & Giving; Childhood; Nativity, The; Relatives THE STWONEN STEPS, by WILLIAM BARNES Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Thease stwonen steps a-zet so true Last Line: O' veet trod vu'st the steäirs? Subject(s): Family Life; History; Mortality; Stairs; Time; Relatives; Historians THE SUBJECT MATTER, by IRA SADOFF Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How elusive - what we want Subject(s): Family Life; Childhood Memories; Relatives THE SWING, by JOHN FREEMAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: It was like floating in a blessed dream to roam Last Line: So wide a sky, so great a tree. Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Family Life; Fields; Home; Trees; Relatives; Pastures; Meadows; Leas THE TEA-PARTY, by JULIA WARD HOWE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I am not with you, sisters, in your talk Last Line: Turned as they fled, and left me charity. Subject(s): Family Life; Food & Eating; Life; Parties; Sisters; Tea; Relatives THE TENTH MUSE: THE FOUR AGES OF MAN, by ANNE BRADSTREET Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Lo now four other act upon the stage Last Line: And in that hope I bid you all farewell. Variant Title(s): The Four Ages Of Man Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Home; Life; Marriage; Middle Age; Old Age; Puritans; Sickness; Childhood; Relatives; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Illness THE THREAT, by DENISE DUHAMEL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My mother pushed my sister out of the apartment door with an empty Subject(s): Family Life; Drugs & Drug Abuse; Relatives; Narcotics; Opium; Cocaine; Crack; Heroin THE UNKNOWN BROTHERS, by LOUIS V. LEDOUX Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Singing band by song united Last Line: But they triumph though they fail. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE UNVEILING, by JANE MILLER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Wind stirs the gauze from the stone Last Line: The thing you find so precious is all over town Subject(s): Family Life; Funerals; Mourning; Relatives; Burials; Bereavement THE VACANT LOT, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Last Line: And letting them out again. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THE WANDERER, by LLOYD SCHWARTZ Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I'm talking about what isn't there anymore, Subject(s): Friendship; Family Life; City & Town Life; Farewell; Love; Relatives; Parting THE WRITER, by RICHARD WILBUR Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: In her room at the prow of the house Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers & Daughters; Relatives THE YOUNG OLD MAN, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Mamma is a widow: there's only Last Line: "good morning!" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Christmas; Family Life; Mothers; Widows & Widowers; Nativity, The; Relatives THIRTY SENTENCES FOR NO ONE, by PETER GIZZI Poet Analysis Recitation by Author Poet's Biography Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives THOMAS THE PRETENDER, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Tommy's alluz playin' jokes Last Line: "an' grease the welts, ""pore pa! Pore pa!" Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Jokes; Childhood; Relatives THOSE WINTER SUNDAYS, by ROBERT EARL HAYDEN Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: Sundays too my father got up early Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Fathers; Home; Men; Sabbath; Winter; Childhood; Relatives; Sunday THOUGHTS UPON A WALK WITH NATALIE, MY NIECE, by HAROLD TROWBRIDGE PULSIFER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Here is the same familiar land Last Line: On this frail ship forevermore? Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Relatives THREE KITCHENS, by KHALED MATTAWA Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I pace a friend's house. On the walls, Subject(s): Kitchens; Family Life; Relatives THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY; AFTER INGMAR BERGMAN, by NORMAN DUBIE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: They are out bathing in the sea at night Last Line: Who escort us to and from shock therapy... Subject(s): Bergman, Ingmar (b. 1918); Family Life; Happiness; Night; Sea; Relatives; Joy; Delight; Bedtime; Ocean THURSDAY EVENING BEDTIME, by LUCILLE CLIFTON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Afraid of the dark / is afraid of mom Subject(s): African Americans; Family Life; Negroes; American Blacks; Relatives TIME AS MEMORY AS STORY, by SIMON J. ORTIZ Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Time; Native Americans; Family Life; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America; Relatives TIMES AIN'T WHAT THEY WAS, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: When pa an' ma was married in the days long gone and dead Last Line: An' boys an' girls grow bigger - an' I'm glad to see the day Subject(s): Family Life;modern Man;time;west (u.s.); Relatives;southwest;pacific States TO BETTY LEE, by OLIVER MURRAY EDWARDS Poem Text First Line: Dear betty lee, my thought for you Last Line: "to pen this sentence, ""I love you." Subject(s): Family Life; Grandparents; Love; Relationships; Relatives; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers TO MARKET, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: All the long way from jamaica Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives TO MY CHILDREN, FEARING FOR THEM, by WENDELL BERRY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Terrors are to come. The earth Last Line: Though the pain of them is on me Subject(s): Family Life; Parents; Relatives; Parenthood TO THE BUST OF MY SON CHARLES, by DAVID MACBETH MOIR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Fair image of our sainted boy Last Line: Farewell!dear boy, farewell! Alternate Author Name(s): Delta Subject(s): Boys; Children - Lost; Death; Family Life; Farewell; Heaven; Dead, The; Relatives; Parting; Paradise TONIGHT THE HEART-SHAPED LEAVES, by JAN HELLER LEVI Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I've smoked thirteen cigarettes today: I'm breathless Subject(s): Italy; Family Life; Italians; Relatives TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 4. THE BABE, by EDWARD CARPENTER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The trio perfect: the man, the woman, and the babe Last Line: And herein all creation. Subject(s): Babies; Creation; Family Life; Love; Infants; Relatives TRAVEL ALARM, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Because everything still bears Last Line: Of green. Subject(s): Clocks; Family Life; Time; Travel; Relatives; Journeys; Trips TRISTAN, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In all sorts of weather tristan Subject(s): Sea; Children; Desire; Friendship; Family Life; Ocean; Childhood; Relatives TRUANTS, by CARMELITA A. LECLAIR Poem Text First Line: The moonbeams live, pulsate, and dance Last Line: To a punishment they had earned. Subject(s): Absence; Babies; Family Life; Separation; Isolation; Infants; Relatives TUSKEGEE AIRFIELD, by MARILYN NELSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: These men Alternate Author Name(s): Waniek, Marilyn Nelson Subject(s): African Americans - Military; Family Life; Relatives TWILIGHT TIME, by MILDRED SOUTHWORTH BRYAN Poem Text First Line: When the sun has gone behind the hill Last Line: When we can all be together! Subject(s): Evening; Family Life; Sunset; Twilight; Relatives TWO-RIVER LEDGER, by KHALED MATTAWA Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Joke used to be: / if you don't like it Subject(s): Rivers; Pollution; Houses; Family Life; Relatives UNCLE WILLIAM'S PICTURE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Uncle william, last july Last Line: Smile, and wipe my eyes. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Death; Family Life; July; Uncles; Dead, The; Relatives UNHAPPY FATHER, by WALT MASON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: It makes poor father's spirit sad, when he Last Line: "thy victory, oh, death, where is thy sting?" Subject(s): Family Life; Fathers; Grief; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness VIOLIN SONGS: BEDTIME, by GEORGE MACDONALD Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Come, children, put away your toys Last Line: Coming to carry us to bed. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Sleep; Childhood; Relatives WAKE, by PETER JOHNSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A casket that couldn't care less Subject(s): Family Life; Funerals; Relatives; Burials WASHING THE ELEPHANT, by BARBARA RAS Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Circus; Confession; Religion; Family Life; Elephants; Theology; Relatives WHAT ARE WE RAISING, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: You know how it is, what with children around Last Line: But what are we raising here? Children, or grass? Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives WHAT GRIEVING WAS, by LYNN EMANUEL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: That was not the summer of aspic Subject(s): Family Life; Grief; Relatives; Sorrow; Sadness WHAT WE HAVE, by RUTH STONE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: On the mountain / the neighbor's dog, put out in the cold Last Line: That I think, when looking back, was happiness. Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Family Life; Happiness; Poverty; Retrospection; Relatives; Joy; Delight WHERE DREAMS COME FROM, by MARGE PIERCY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A girl slams the door of her little room Subject(s): Universities & Colleges; Ambition; Family Life; Relatives WHERE WE LIVE NOW, by PHILIP LEVINE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We live here because the houses Subject(s): Home; Family Life; Relatives WHITE EYES, by ANNE WALDMAN Poem Source Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Friends & relatives Last Line: & everybody was watching. Subject(s): Ancestry & Ancestors; Canada; Family Life; Travel; Canadians; Relatives; Journeys; Trips WHY DON'T YOU GET TRANSFERRED, DAD?, by LOUIS SIMPSON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Family Life; Likes & Dislikes; Moving; Relatives WILD MAY, by CLAUDE MCKAY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Aleta mentions in her tender letters Alternate Author Name(s): Edwards, Eli Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives WORKS AND DAYS: NEIGHBOURS AND KINSFOLK, by HESIOD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Call him who loves you to your feast Last Line: But kinsmen dawdle o'er their gear. Subject(s): Family Life; Neighbors; Relatives WRIT IN A BOOK OF WELSH VERSE, by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: This is the house where I was bred Last Line: Old wars, old hungers, and old tears! Subject(s): Family Life; Home; Wales; Relatives; Welshmen; Welshwomen WRITIN' BACK TO THE HOMEFOLKS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My dear old friends - it jes' beats Last Line: And madaline and mother. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): April; Family Life; Letters; Love; Relatives YESSIR MISTER, by CARL SANDBURG Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Yessir mister mystery dwells in dese dose dem Subject(s): Family Life; Language; Relatives; Words; Vocabulary YONOSA HOUSE, by RODNEY THEODORE SMITH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: She stroked molten tones Last Line: Hear her chants in the thrush's song. Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, R. T. Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives YOU HUM, by ALBERT GOLDBARTH Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My parents sleep with a flashlight Subject(s): Family Life; Relatives YOUNG, by ANNE SEXTON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A thousand doors ago Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Family Life; Relatives [IF MAMA / COULD SEE], by LUCILLE CLIFTON Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography Subject(s): Mothers; Family Life; Relatives |
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