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Subject: SOCIAL PROTEST Matches Found: 477 ####################################################################################################, by ROBERT LOWELL Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Where two or three were flung together, or fifty Last Line: That helped me stagger to my feet, and flee Subject(s): Social Protest; Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975 14-FEB-89, by KIM THERESA ADDONIZIO Poem Source First Line: North's lawyers say he'll claim a cover-up Last Line: The roses you brought have opened Subject(s): Holidays; Love; Social Protest; Valentine's Day 140 SYLLABLES, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: All my life I have wondered Last Line: Out of all the dirty squares Subject(s): Expressionism - Poets; Poetry & Poets; Social Protest 140 SYLLABLES, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: All my life I have wondered Last Line: Out of all the dirty squares Subject(s): Expressionism - Poets; Poetry And Poets; Social Protest 19-JUN-53, by EDWIN ROLFE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: This court, supreme in blindness and in hate Last Line: Kills jews today, as twenty-five years ago, %it killed italians Alternate Author Name(s): Fishman, Solomon Subject(s): Social Protest A BALLAD OF DEAD GIRLS, by DANA BURNET Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Scarce had they brought the bodies down Last Line: To lock his doors again. Subject(s): Child Labor; New York City; Social Protest; Manhattan; New York, New York; The Big Apple A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG NYMPH GOING TO BED, by JONATHAN SWIFT Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Corinna, pride of drury-lane, / for whom no shepherd sighs in vain Last Line: Who sees, will spew; who smells, be poisoned. Subject(s): Prostitution; Social Protest; Harlots; Whores; Brothels A MESSAGE OF PEACE, by JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: There was once a pirate, greedy and bold Last Line: A pious example of christian peace! Subject(s): Brotherhood; Christianity; Hypocrisy; Pacifism; Peace; Social Protest; War; Peace Movements A PATRIOT I, by JEAN LEWIS MORRIS Poem Text First Line: A patriot I! This is my cry Last Line: I'm a munition maker. Subject(s): Arms & Armor; Patriotism; Selfishness; Social Protest; United States; War; America A POEM TO DELIGHT MY FRIENDS WHO LAUGH AT SCIENCE-FICTION, by EDWIN ROLFE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: That was the year / the small birds in their frail and delicate battalions Alternate Author Name(s): Fishman, Solomon Subject(s): Social Protest A SONG FOR MANY MOVEMENTS, by AUDRE LORDE Poem Text Recitation by Author Poet's Biography First Line: Nobody wants to die on the way Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba Subject(s): Social Protest A VOICE FROM THE SWEAT-SHOPS (A HYMN WITH RESPONSES), by LOUIS UNTERMEYER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Praise god from whom all blessings / flow Last Line: When will he make it plain? Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael Subject(s): Revivals; Social Protest; Speech; Voices; Religious Revivals; Oratory; Orators ABOVE THE BATTLE'S FRONT, by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Oh foolish people, and without understanding Last Line: Thorn-crowned above the water and the land. Alternate Author Name(s): Lindsay, Vachel Subject(s): Buddhism; Evil; Francis Assisi, Saint (1181-1226); Hate; Jesus Christ; John The Baptist, Saint (1st Century); Saints; Social Protest; Tolstoy, Leo (1828-1910); War; Buddha; Buddhists ABRAHAM LINCOLN WALKS AT MIDNIGHT, by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: It is portentous, and a thing of state Last Line: That he may sleep upon his hill again? Alternate Author Name(s): Lindsay, Vachel Subject(s): Injustice; Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865); Patriotism; Peace; Presidents, United States; Social Protest; World War I - United States ABYSS, by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief Last Line: Life death does end and each day dies with sleep. Variant Title(s): "the Terrible Sonnets: 2;""no Worst, There Is More, Pitched Past Pitch Of Grief""; Subject(s): Death; Despair; Grief; Religion; Social Protest; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness; Theology AGAIN AT WALDHEIM, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: How heavy the heart is now, and every heart Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; Dead, The AGAIN AT WALDHEIM, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: How heavy the heart is now, and every heart Last Line: Coalition of the blood of men Subject(s): Death; Social Protest AGAIN THEY SURROUND THEE, by WALT WHITMAN Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Of olden time, when it came to pass Last Line: And still iscariot plies his trade Subject(s): Justice; Social Protest AIN'T GOT NO HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, by WOODY GUTHRIE Poem Source First Line: I ain't got no home Last Line: And I ain't got no home in this world anymore Subject(s): Homeless; Social Protest ALL LIFE IN A LIFE, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Text 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 AMERICAN PRIMITIVE, by WILLIAM JAY SMITH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Look at him there in his stovepipe hat Subject(s): Men; Social Protest AMERICAN PRIMITIVE, by WILLIAM JAY SMITH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Look at him there in his stovepipe hat Last Line: And I love my daddy like he loves his dollar Subject(s): Men; Social Protest AMERICANS!, by PHILIP FRENEAU Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Left to himself, wherever man is found Last Line: Speak - for you must - you have no hour to lose Subject(s): Social Protest AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASS ROOM IN A SLUM, by STEPHEN SPENDER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Far far from gusty waves, these children's faces Alternate Author Name(s): Spender, Stephen (harold), Sir Subject(s): Children; Schools; Slums; Social Protest; Childhood; Students; Tenements AN EX-SERVICEMAN MAKES A VOW, by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: War is a way the statesmen play Last Line: Our world may have peace! Amen. Subject(s): Brotherhood; Death; God; Murder; Prayer; Social Protest; Soldiers; Veterans; War; Dead, The ANCIENT MUSIC, by EZRA POUND Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Winter is icummen in Last Line: Found under the latin words of a very ancient canon. Subject(s): Hate; Social Protest AND WHAT SHALL YOU SAY?, by JOSEPH SEAMON COTTER JR. Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Brother, come! / and let us go unto our god Last Line: And, brother, what shall you say? Subject(s): African Americans; Brotherhood; God; Religion; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks; Theology ANGEL ON THE LAKE SHORE, by ALES DEBELJAK Poem Source First Line: Frightened laughter on the faces of the caryatids. A captain Last Line: Destroying the seed that might shoot up from a common pain Subject(s): Marriage; Social Protest; Yugoslavia ANSWER WORLD!, by ANGELA MORGAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Yes, I believe in armies Last Line: "here am I! Here am I!" Subject(s): Army - United States; Injustice; Justice; Nations; Problems; Social Protest; War APHRODITE'S IDENTITY CRISIS, by TENAYA DARLINGTON Poem Source First Line: Love is greek to me now Last Line: Sending static each to each? Subject(s): Computers; Courtship; Life, Modern; Social Protest APPLEBAUM'S SUNDAY, by ABRAHAM B. MAGIL Poem Source First Line: Applebaum's sunday is a thing of cautions and carpet-slippers Last Line: In a millon %power Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, by EDWIN ROLFE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I admit it: there was a moment of pity Alternate Author Name(s): Fishman, Solomon Subject(s): Social Protest ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, by EDWIN ROLFE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I admit it: there was a moment of pity Last Line: A fleeting childhood picture of my great grandfather's face %he too was a refugee Alternate Author Name(s): Fishman, Solomon Subject(s): Social Protest ASTRAEA, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: O poet rare and old! Last Line: As now in heaven! Subject(s): Jonson, Ben (1572-1637); Millenium; Poetry & Poets; Social Protest ASYLUM, by DAVID R. CLARK Poem Source First Line: I said, 'you're right!' at last they found %the perfect place for ezra pound Last Line: Whatever drums our eardrums beat - %poetry, insanely sweet Subject(s): Poetry And Poets; Pound, Ezra (1885-1972); Social Protest AT CARCASSONNE, by WINFRED ERNEST GARRISON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Down the valleys of languedoc Last Line: In my children's time may there be no war. Subject(s): Carcassonne, France; Social Protest; Soldiers; War AT HALF-MAST, by THOMAS CURTIS CLARK Poem Text First Line: Fly the flag at half-mast Last Line: Till the day breaks again. Subject(s): Death; Flags - United States; Military; Social Protest; Veterans Day; War; Dead, The; American Flag AT THE LAST, by ANNE LIFSCHUTZ Poem Source First Line: What was the color of the smoke %from ethel rosenberg's head? Last Line: In buchenwald, dachau Subject(s): Rosenberg Case; Social Protest AWARD (A GOLD WATCH TO THE FBI MAN WHO HAS FOLLOWED ME), by RAY DUREM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Well, old spy Subject(s): African Americans; Federal Bureau Of Investigation; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks; Fbi AWARD (A GOLD WATCH TO THE FBI MAN WHO HAS FOLLOWED ME), by RAY DUREM Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Well, old spy Last Line: But she was my daughter, only three, %who had to pee Subject(s): African Americans; Federal Bureau Of Investigation; Social Protest B-52'S, by ARNOLD KENSETH Poem Source First Line: Against summer, the leaf-lovely wide and lively trees Last Line: They lean over and touch the rose dead Subject(s): June; Social Protest BALLAD ON THE TAXES, by EDWARD WARD Poem Source First Line: Good people, what, will you of all be bereft Last Line: Why should we, why should we be kept in the dark? Subject(s): Social Protest BANTY TIM, by JOHN MILTON HAY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I reckon I git your drift, gents Last Line: Or my name's not tilmon joy! Subject(s): African Americans; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks BECAUSE HE WAS A MAN, by JOHN PIERPONT Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Why has that friend of man and god Last Line: Or he'll have risen Subject(s): Justice; Social Protest BEFORE THE JUDGE (LOUIS LINGG: CHICAGO, 1886), by DAVID EDELSHTADT Poem Source First Line: Once, great of heart and great in soul Last Line: The poison-cup of socrates Subject(s): Chicago; Haymarket Square Riot; Social Protest BEFORE THE STORM, by ALES DEBELJAK Poem Source First Line: The russian hound behind the door has stopped barking. Ice floes Last Line: Stands before it, weeping. Perhaps her only child is just asleep Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; Yugoslavia BEGINNING OF A LONG POEM ON WHY I BURNED THE CITY, by LAURENCE BENFORD Poem Source First Line: My city slept %through my growing up in hate Last Line: And I went off to college %with a gasoline can Subject(s): African Americans; Social Protest BEHOLD THE SEA, SELS., by AARON KURTZ Poem Source First Line: They got you last night. %I saw you clubbed Last Line: To our brother, singing to %our might Subject(s): Social Protest BELLIES, by JIM WATERS Poem Source First Line: At washington, %I saw a bass-drum belly Last Line: Of, by and for the bass-drum bellies of the rich Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest BELLS FOR JOHN WHITESIDE'S DAUGHTER, by JOHN CROWE RANSOM Poem Text Poem Explanation Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: There was such speed in her little body Last Line: Lying so primly propped. Subject(s): Daughters; Death - Children; Fathers & Daughters; Funerals; Social Protest; Death - Babies; Burials BEREFT, by JAMES OPPENHEIM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Who can measure the agony of man? Last Line: A fleck of shadow on immensity. Subject(s): Social Protest BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME, by RICHARD WRIGHT Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: And one morning while in the woods I stumbled suddenly upon the thing Subject(s): Lynching; Social Protest BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME, by RICHARD WRIGHT Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: And one morning while in the woods I stumbled suddenly upon the thing Last Line: Now I am dry bones and my face a stony skull staring in yellow surprise at the sun Subject(s): Lynching; Social Protest BIRMINGHAM 1963, by RAYMOND RICHARD PATTERSON Poem Source First Line: Sunday morning and her mother's hands Last Line: Alone amid the rubble, amid the people %who perish, being innocent Alternate Author Name(s): Patterson, Ray Subject(s): African Americans; Birmingham, Alabama; Social Protest BLACK HAWK, SELS., by ELBERT H. SMITH Subject(s): Social Protest BLIND, by JUNE RICHARDSON LUCAS Poem Text First Line: He saw the noonday sun Last Line: He did not know that he was blind! Subject(s): Blindness; Social Protest; Vision; World War I; Visually Handicapped; First World War BLOOD OF COLORADO MINERS, by SARAH MENEFEE Poem Source Last Line: On the boardroom walls of chase manhattan bank Subject(s): Capitalism; Politics; Rockefeller (family); Social Protest BLUES FOR BESSIE, by MYRON O'HIGGINS Poem Text First Line: Let de peoples known (unnh) / what they did in dat southern town Last Line: Wid de blood (lawd) a-streamin' down Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Blues (music); Racism; Singing & Singers; Smith, Bessie (1894-1937); Social Protest; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry BOMBING CASUALTIES IN SPAIN, by HERBERT READ Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Dolls' faces are rosier but these were children Subject(s): Social Protest; Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) BOMBING CASUALTIES IN SPAIN, by HERBERT READ Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Dolls' faces are rosier but these were children Last Line: After a night of riot %extinct in the dry morning air Subject(s): Social Protest; Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) BORDERLINE BALLAD, by RICHARD WEBER Poem Source First Line: Bring out all the set ideas Last Line: The whole lot's back in quantity Subject(s): Social Protest BREAD AND ROSES, by JAMES OPPENHEIM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: As we come marching, marching, in the Last Line: But a sharing of life's glories: bread and roses, bread and roses! Subject(s): Justice; Labor Unions; Social Protest; Strikes; Labor Disputes; Lockouts BREED, WOMEN, BREED, by LUCIA TRENT Poem Text First Line: Breed, little mothers Last Line: Breed, women, breed! Alternate Author Name(s): Cheyney, Mrs. Ralph; Glass, Mrs. Ernest Subject(s): Social Protest; Women; Women's Rights; Feminism BURNIN' DRINK, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I tell a tale o' burnin' love Last Line: Wi' bitter, burnin' hate. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Hate; Love; Social Protest; Temperance; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; Prohibition BUTTONS, by CARL SANDBURG Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I have been watching the war map slammed up for advertising Last Line: Newspaper office where the freckle-faced young man is laughing to us? Subject(s): Social Protest; World War I; First World War CALIBAN IN THE COAL MINES, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: God, we don't like to complain Last Line: Fling us a handful of stars! Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael Subject(s): Mines & Miners; Religion; Social Protest; Theology CALVARY, by JOHN ROTHSCHILD Poem Text First Line: Acres of crosses - wooden crosses - bleak Last Line: Of folded arms in the menacing hour? Subject(s): Calvary; Crosses; Crucifixion; Death; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Jesus Christ - Crucifixion; Dead, The CAMPAIGN THUNDER, by WALT MASON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: My friends, when I'm elected, the people Last Line: Elected a change will be detected—no man will have to work! Subject(s): Elections; Social Protest; Tyranny & Tyrants; Voting; Voters; Suffrage CASEY JONES, THE UNION SCAB, by JOE HILL Poem Source First Line: The workers on the s.P. Line to strike sent out a call Last Line: That's what you get for scabbing on the s.P. Line Alternate Author Name(s): Hillstrom, Joesph; Hagglund, Joel Subject(s): Labor Unions; Social Protest; Strikes CASSANDRA, by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I heard one who said: verily Last Line: Moved on. None heeded, and few heard. Subject(s): Cassandra (mythology); Freedom; Social Protest; Liberty CHANNEL FIRING, by THOMAS HARDY Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: That night your great guns, unawares Last Line: And camelot, and starlit stonehenge. Subject(s): Death; Guns; Social Protest; World War I; Dead, The; First World War CHIEF RED JACKET ADDRESSSES A MISSIONARY, by RED JACKET Poem Source First Line: Brother, listen to what we say. There was a time Last Line: We only want to enjoy our own Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest CHILD LABOR, by CHARLOTTE PERKINS STETSON GILMAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: No fledgling feeds the fatherbird Last Line: That lives upon its young! Alternate Author Name(s): Stetson, Charlotte Perkins Subject(s): Child Labor; Social Protest CHRIST AT EIGHT, by ERNEST HARTSOCK Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Little boy, gentle boy Last Line: To slay them all in battle! Subject(s): Jesus Christ; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Youth CHRISTMAS, 1917, by BRENT DOW ALLINSON Poem Text First Line: Is it a mocking jest that christmas bells Last Line: Let nations pass so man himself be free. Subject(s): Christmas; Freedom; Hate; Humanity; Social Protest; War; Nativity, The; Liberty CHRISTUS; A MYSTERY: 3. THE NEW ENGLAND TRAGEDIES: JOHN ENDICOTT, by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: To-night we strive to read, as we may best Last Line: Courageous heart! Forever rest in peace Variant Title(s): Christus: 3. The New England Tragedies: John Endicot Subject(s): Endicott, John (1588-1655); Social Protest CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE, SELS., by HENRY DAVID THOREAU Poet's Biography Subject(s): Social Protest CLAREL, SELS., by HERMAN MELVILLE Poet's Biography Subject(s): Social Protest CLASS POEM, SELS., by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL Poet's Biography Subject(s): Social Protest CLERICAL OPPRESSORS, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Just god! And these are they Last Line: As in their home above. Subject(s): Clergy; Slavery; Social Protest; United States - History; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops; Serfs CLIMBING SLEEPING BEAUTY, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: Today is its own festival of light Last Line: No death pure resurrection %a festival of light Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest COLLECTION, by ERNEST HOWARD CROSBY Poem Source First Line: I passed the plate in church Last Line: Tables of the money-changers, waiting to be overturned Subject(s): Justice; Poverty; Social Protest COLOR IT GOLD, by SYLVIA K. POLIKOFF Poem Source First Line: They are killing the geese Last Line: The lust and greed of their captors Subject(s): Greed; Social Protest COLUMBIAD, SELS., by JOEL BARLOW Poet's Biography Subject(s): Social Protest CONDEMNATION, by THICH NHAT-HANH Poem Source First Line: Listen to this: %yesterday six vietcong came through my village Last Line: If we kill men, what brothers will we have left? %with whom shall we live then? Subject(s): Social Protest CONSOLATION OF PHILOSOPHY: BOOK 2, METRUM 5, by ANICIUS MANLIUS SEVERINUS BOETHIUS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Happy that first white age when we %lived by the earth's mere charity Last Line: That sought out pearls, and dived to find %such precious perils for mankind Subject(s): Social Protest COUNTING THE MAD, by DONALD JUSTICE Poem Text Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: This one was put in a jacket Subject(s): Depression, Mental; Humanity; Insanity; Social Protest; Mentally Depressed; Mental Distress; Madness; Mental Illness COUNTING THE MAD, by DONALD JUSTICE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: This one was put in a jacket Last Line: And cried and cried no no no no %all day long Subject(s): Depression, Mental; Humanity; Insanity; Social Protest CREDO, by EUGENE VICTOR DEBS Poem Source First Line: While there is a lower class, I am in it Last Line: While there is a soul in jail, I am not free Subject(s): Social Protest; Socialism CRIME, by JAMES OPPENHEIM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Ha! You count it horrible that the murder was / committed Last Line: Yes, it is you. Subject(s): Murder; Social Protest DANGEROUS MEMORY, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: My body knew the sound of a gun Last Line: To dream as if we could imagine a joyful tomorrow Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest DEBS, by JAMES OPPENHEIM Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Four great lovers arose in america Last Line: Living great loved through whom america lives Subject(s): Debs, Eugene V. (1855-1926); Social Protest DEDICATION, by FRANCIS REGINALD SCOTT Poem Text First Line: From those condemned to labour Last Line: Nor any peace for spending. Alternate Author Name(s): Scott, F. R. Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Money; Social Classes; Social Protest; Work; Workers; Caste DIRGE WITHOUT MUSIC, by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground Alternate Author Name(s): Boyd, Nancy; Boissevain, Eugen, Mrs. Subject(s): Death; Life Change Events; Love; Social Protest; Dead, The DIRGE WITHOUT MUSIC, by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground Last Line: I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned Alternate Author Name(s): Boyd, Nancy; Boissevain, Eugen, Mrs. Subject(s): Death; Life Change Events; Love; Social Protest DNA SHOWS THAT I'M THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, by JAMES HARRISON Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: Only politicians shitting out of their mouths Alternate Author Name(s): Harrison, Jim Subject(s): Nature; Politics; Social Protest; Unknown Soldier DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT, by DYLAN THOMAS Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: Rage, rage against the dying of the light Subject(s): Death; Fathers; Hate; Mourning; Old Age; Social Protest; Time DOLOR, by THEODORE ROETHKE Poem Text Poem Explanation Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: I have known the inexorable sadness of pencils Variant Title(s): Dolour Subject(s): Depression, Mental; Grief; Office Employees; Social Protest; Mentally Depressed; Mental Distress; Sorrow; Sadness; Clerks DOLOR, by THEODORE ROETHKE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I have known the inexorable sadness of pencils Last Line: Dropping a fine film on nails and delicate eyebrows, %glazing the pale hair, the duplicate grey stan Variant Title(s): Dolou Subject(s): Depression, Mental; Grief; Office Employees; Social Protest DOVER BEACH, by MATTHEW ARNOLD Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: The sea is calm to-night Last Line: Where ignorant armies clash by night. Subject(s): Desire; Doubt; Dover, England; England; Faith; Love; Love - Marital; Poetry & Poets; Religion; Sea; Seashore; Social Protest; Time; War; Skepticism; English; Belief; Creed; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love; Theology; Ocean; Beach; Coast; Shore DR. SIGMUND FREUD DISCOVERS THE SEA SHELL, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Science, that simple saint, cannot be bothered Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald Subject(s): Social Protest DR. SIGMUND FREUD DISCOVERS THE SEA SHELL, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Science, that simple saint, cannot be bothered Last Line: What surge is this whose question never ceases? Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald Subject(s): Social Protest DULCE ET DECORUM EST, by WILFRED OWEN Poem Text Poem Explanation Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: Bent double, like old beggars under sacks Last Line: Pro patria mori. Subject(s): Chemical Warfare; Hate; Men; Patriotism; Social Protest; Soldiers; Soldiers' Writings; World War I; First World War DUSK OF THE GODS, SELS., by SOL FUNAROFF Subject(s): Social Protest ECLOGUE: THE 'LOTMENTS, by WILLIAM BARNES Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Zoo you be in your groun' then, I do zee Last Line: If I could get a little patch o' ground. Subject(s): Duty; Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Property; Social Protest; Spring; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Possessions ECLOGUE: THE COMMON A-TOOK IN, by WILLIAM BARNES Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Good morn t'ye, john. How b'ye? How b'ye? Last Line: Or I must goo to workhouse, I do fear. Subject(s): Autumn; Farm Life; Fences; Poverty; Property; Seasons; Social Protest; Fall; Agriculture; Farmers; Possessions ECLOGUE: THE TIMES, by WILLIAM BARNES Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Well, tom, how be'st? Zoo thou'st a-got thy neame Last Line: You'll goo vor wool, an' then come hwome a-sheär'd. Subject(s): Birds; Crows; Economics; Fables; Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Pigs; Politics & Government; Social Protest; Wages; Allegories; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Boars; Hogs; Salaries EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENCY, SELS., by WALT WHITMAN Poet's Biography Subject(s): Social Protest ELEGIAC STATEMENT FOR TWO HUMAN BEINGS NAMED ROSENBERG, by LESLIE WOOLF HEDLEY Poem Source First Line: There are so many deaths to lament Last Line: That their murder brings my own %several steps closer Subject(s): Rosenberg Case; Social Protest ELEGY (FOR 'MOVE' AND PHILADELPHIA), by SONIA SANCHEZ Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Philadelphia / a disguised southern city Subject(s): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Social Protest ELEGY (FOR 'MOVE' AND PHILADELPHIA), by SONIA SANCHEZ Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Philadelphia %a disguised southern city Last Line: Lying in wait. For honor and peace. %one day Subject(s): Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Social Protest ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASS ROOM IN A SLUM, by STEPHEN SPENDER Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Far far from gusty waves, these children's faces Last Line: The history theirs whose language is the sun Alternate Author Name(s): Spender, Stephen (harold), Sir Subject(s): Children; Schools; Slums; Social Protest END OF THE WORLD, by JEREMIAH Poem Source First Line: My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain Last Line: Before the lord, before his fierce anger Subject(s): Social Protest ENOUGH, by WILLIAM MULLINS Poem Source First Line: You speak with hell upon your tongue Last Line: With aisles of worthless cereals and %ancient ten year old traditions Subject(s): Social Protest EVANGELINE; A TALE OF ACADIE, by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks Last Line: Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest. Subject(s): Acadia; Love; Mothers; Social Protest; United States - History EXAMINER, by FRANCIS REGINALD SCOTT Poem Source First Line: The routine trickery of the examination Last Line: The professional mowers drone, clipping the inch-high green Alternate Author Name(s): Scott, F. R. Subject(s): Social Protest EXILED FROM THE LIGHT, by SEBASTIAN SALAZAR BONDY Poem Source First Line: The president caressed the mane of his favorite horse Last Line: Poor peruvians exiled from the light Subject(s): Assassination; Exiles; Grief; Peru; Social Protest FAREWELL OF A VIRGINIA SLAVE MOTHER TO HER DAUGHTERS SOLD INTO BONDAGE, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Gone, gone - sold and gone Last Line: Woe is me, my stolen daughters! Subject(s): Farewell; Mothers; Slavery; Social Protest; Parting; Serfs FAREWELL, MY NATION! FAREWELL, BLACK HAWK, by BLACK HAWK Poem Source First Line: When my last resources were exhausted Last Line: That a brave war chief would prefer death to dishonor Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest FEEDING THE LIONS, by NORMAN JORDAN Poem Source First Line: They come into %our neighborhood Last Line: And get back %before dark Subject(s): Social Protest; Social Workers; Welfare FIRST THEY SLAUGHTERED THE ANGELS, by LENORE KANDEL Poem Source Last Line: Not even us Subject(s): Social Protest FISH PEDDLER AND COBBLER, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Always for thirty years now Last Line: Savage eyed whores paraded the streets Subject(s): Change; Past; Progress; Social Protest; United States; America FISH PEDDLER AND COBBLER, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Always for thirty years now Last Line: Savage eyed whores paraded the street Subject(s): Change; Past; Progress; Social Protest; United States FLOWER-FED BUFFALOES OF THE SPRING, by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: With the pawnees, lying low %lying low Alternate Author Name(s): Lindsay, Vachel Subject(s): Americans; Buffaloes; Railroads; Social Protest; United States FOR A SISTER, by ADRIENNE CECILE RICH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I trust none of them. Only my existence Last Line: To light the stove, get out the typewriter and begin again. Your story Subject(s): Russia; Social Protest FOR RANDOLPH BOURNE, by JAMES OPPENHEIM Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We wind wreaths of holly Subject(s): Bourne, Randolph Silliman (1886-1918); Critics And Criticism; Social Protest FOR THE LOST GENERATION, by GALWAY KINNELL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Oddities composed the sum of the news Subject(s): Social Protest FOR THE LOST GENERATION, by GALWAY KINNELL Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Oddities composed the sum of the news Last Line: (o hiroshima, o jews) - %no generation was so gay as the lost Subject(s): Social Protest FREEDOM FOR ITALY: 1867, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: He is the freeman whom the truth makes free Last Line: Perhaps not now, but when and how he will! Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Freedom; Garibaldi, Giuseppe (1807-1882); Italy; Patriotism; Popes; Social Protest; Liberty; Italians; Papacy FROM BIG MOUNTAIN, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: If you believed the land is holy Last Line: How much time is left to answer? Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest FROM THE EARTH, A CRY, by JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: O christ! And o christ! In thy name the law! Last Line: God purifies slowly by peace, but urgently by fire. Subject(s): French Revolution (1848); Hate; Jesus Christ; Social Protest; War; February Revolution FROM THE PARIS COMMUNE TO THE KRONSTADT REBELLION, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Remember now there were others before this Subject(s): Death; Paris, France; Revolutions; Social Protest; Dead, The FROM THE PARIS COMMUNE TO THE KRONSTADT REBELLION, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Remember now there were others before this Last Line: And people remembering in the future Subject(s): Death; Paris, France; Revolutions; Social Protest FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW, by ANN PRESTON Poem Source First Line: The land whose cradle freedom rocked, the nation of the brave Last Line: Till god himself forsakes his world, this law shall not prevail Subject(s): Slavery; Social Protest GHOSTS OF CONQUEST, by ALBERT EDWARD CLEMENTS Poem Text First Line: We shall break the dry crust of this stale earth, batter it down to ... Despair Last Line: Glory on ghosts of conquest for a year and a day! Subject(s): Ghosts; Social Protest; Soldiers; Supernatural; War GIVE ME LIBERTY, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: It's liberty weekend Last Line: Will dwell in the shadow %of hell's kitchen tonight Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest GIVE US THE SIGN!, by WILLIAM EDWARD BURGHARDT DU BOIS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: From lust of body and lust of blood Last Line: Keep not thou silence, o god! Alternate Author Name(s): Du Bois, W. E. B. Subject(s): African Americans; Social Protest GIVE WAY, by DONALD FINKEL Poem Source First Line: Give way to the man coming at you Last Line: The man coming at you may be armed Subject(s): Social Protest GLOVES, by MARGARET RANDALL Poem Source First Line: Yes we did march around somewhere and yes it was cold Last Line: The gloves are still there, in the cold, %passing from hand to hand Subject(s): Gloves; New York City; Politics; Social Protest GOD TO HUNGRY CHILD, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Hungry child, %I didn't make this world for you Last Line: Not for you, %hungry child Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston Subject(s): African Americans; Poverty; Social Protest GOOD MANNERS, by WASHINGTON DELGADO Poem Source First Line: It's dangerous to walk Last Line: With a name in your lips Subject(s): Depressions, Economic; Politics; Social Protest GOVERNOR EVERETT RECEIVING THE INDIAN CHIEFS, 1837, SELS., by SARAH MARGARET FULLER Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Shorn of his strength, the samson now must sue Last Line: Might makes right here, but god and time are just Alternate Author Name(s): Fuller, Margaret; Ossoli, Marchioness; Ossoli, Margaret Fuller Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest GREENFIELD HILL, SELS., by TIMOTHY DWIGHT Poet's Biography Subject(s): Social Protest GUERRILLA HANDBOOK, by AMIRI BARAKA Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: In the palm Last Line: We must convince the living %that the dead %cannot sing Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi Subject(s): Social Protest HANDS OF LIBERTY, by M. COLLEEN OWEN Poem Source First Line: They came in a manner uniquely their own Last Line: As her arms gave way in the darkness Subject(s): Social Protest; Statue Of Liberty; U.s. - Immigration And Emigration HAP, by THOMAS HARDY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: If but some vengeful god would call to me Last Line: Blisses about my pilgrimage as pain. Subject(s): Fate; Social Protest; Destiny HAVING, by ISIDOR SCHNEIDER Poem Source First Line: Having is an equation; the terms Last Line: They coil a rope around you Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest HE GLIMPSES A NOBLER VISION, by MILLER WILLIAMS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: He worried every morning about the earth [or, bomb] Last Line: And he was back again, with all he could bear Subject(s): Asner, Ed (b. 1929); Social Protest HEAR, O RICHMOND! AND GIVE EAR, O CAROLINA!, by THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: If the attack on the court house has no greater effect Last Line: Henceforth worcester is canada to the slave Subject(s): Slavery; Social Protest HELL A LA MODE, by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Zero hour! / advance! Last Line: The silence of wreckage and ruin and death! Subject(s): Death; Hell; Military; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Dead, The HELPFUL VOCABULARY, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: Where's the toilet? Last Line: I have a north american stomach %with permission %siento Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest HEROES OF WAR AND PEACE, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Ay, that is a story that takes one's breath Last Line: For the martyrs of peace and the victims of wrong? Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs. Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest HIROSHIMA, by MARGARET ROCKWELL Poem Source First Line: A dream of waking in some sleeper's eye Last Line: So to reveal in rage the whisper of %the moment that would force the world to love Subject(s): Social Protest HIROSHIMA LULLABY, by JOSEPH LANGLAND Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Sadako, you have gone Last Line: We fold your paper cranes Subject(s): Social Protest HOLY SONNET: 10, by JOHN DONNE Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Last Line: And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die. Variant Title(s): "sonnet On Death;elegie;death Rebuked;""death Be Not Proud, Though Some Have Called Thee""; Subject(s): Catholics; Death; Freedom; Immortality; Religion; Social Protest; Victory; Roman Catholics; Catholicism; Dead, The; Liberty; Theology HOW LONG?, by FERNER R. NUHN Poem Text First Line: How long this vain, blind lust of power Last Line: Replace their country's battle song? Subject(s): Hate; Patriotism; Social Protest; War HOW THEY CAME FROM THE BLUE SNOWS, by ARNOLD KENSETH Poem Source Last Line: And the flight of birds from the summer hollow %we do not understand, we do not follow Subject(s): Social Protest I AM A RED SLOGAN, by RICHARD WRIGHT Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: All power to the soviets! Subject(s): Communism; Social Protest I CHING, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: Clouds move %on the silent %river mirror Last Line: The inevitable %downward pull Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest I SIT AND LOOK OUT, by WALT WHITMAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I sit and look out upon all the sorrows of the world, and upon all oppression Last Line: See, hear, and am silent. Subject(s): Evil; Social Protest I WANT YOU WOMEN UP NORTH TO KNOW, by TILLIE LERNER OLSEN Poem Source Last Line: I swear it won't Subject(s): Social Protest; Women I'M WITH STUPID, by PETER JOHNSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: There's a thumbprint of lamb's blood Subject(s): Ignorance; Social Protest; Dullness; Stupdity I'M WITH STUPID, by PETER JOHNSON Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: There's a thumbprint of lamb's blood Last Line: Falling from the sky Subject(s): Ignorance; Social Protest ICHABOD, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: So fallen! So lost! The light withdrawn / which one he wore! Last Line: And hide the shame! Subject(s): Slavery; Social Protest; Webster, Daniel (1782-1852); Serfs IF IT COMES TO THIS, by JAMES OPPENHEIM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Bitter, bitter Last Line: Or are you an empty word to cover our feeble spirits? Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest; Wealth; Riches; Fortunes IF WE MUST DIE, by CLAUDE MCKAY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: If we must die, let it not be like hogs Last Line: Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back! Alternate Author Name(s): Edwards, Eli Subject(s): African Americans; Courage; Death; Honor; Social Protest; World War I; Negroes; American Blacks; Valor; Bravery; Dead, The; First World War IF YOUR HANDS BE FULL OF BLOOD, by PETER FOLGER Poem Source First Line: Of later time there had been some Last Line: All this will never do Subject(s): Justice; Social Protest ILOPANGO, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: Still %the stories Last Line: But this much love %I can barely imagine Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest IN A SURREALIST YEAR, by LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: Full of our ashes %floated by Subject(s): Social Protest IN AND OUT OF CHURCH, by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Dogma-dealer, talking treason Last Line: And more just. Alternate Author Name(s): Leigh, Arbor; Guggenberger, Mrs. Ignatz; Bevington, L. S. Subject(s): Churches; Social Protest; Cathedrals IN FLANDERS, by JAMES NORMAN HALL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Could you have seen them marching Last Line: To see ten thousand fighting men. Subject(s): Flanders, Belgium; Reality; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; World War I; First World War IN GEORGETOWN; HOLIDAY INN, WASHINGTON, D.C., by HAYDEN CARRUTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: This is not where the rich and famous pursue their lifestyles Last Line: "melodiously at the door: ""are you all right, sir? Are you all right in there?" Subject(s): Americans; Corruption In Politics & Government; Hotels; Politics; Social Protest; United States; Washington, D.c.; Inns; Innskeepers; Motels; Boarding Houses; Politicians; Political Poetry; America IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 82, by ALFRED TENNYSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I wage not any feud with death Last Line: We cannot hear each other speak. Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron Subject(s): Social Protest IN NICARAGUA, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: I thought all of the children Last Line: If you only expect to live thirty years Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest IN TAMPA YOU CAN SHOOT A MAN FOR THEFT, by CHARLES OWEN LAWSON Poem Source Last Line: In tampa you can shoot a man for theft Subject(s): Crime And Criminals; Social Protest IN THE MEANTIME, by LUCILLE CLIFTON Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The lord of loaves and fishes Last Line: I am become death -- the destroyer of worlds Subject(s): Bible; Death; Nuclear War; Religion; Social Protest IN THE NAME OF GOD, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The american presidemt and the cabinet Last Line: The sweet omen of religion and liberty, %will stink to the world Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest IN THE SUBWAY, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Chaos is tamed and ordered as we ride Last Line: Reading their papers calmly, leisurely. Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael Subject(s): Chaos; Insanity; Social Protest; Madness; Mental Illness INCIDENT, by COUNTEE CULLEN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Once riding in old baltimore Subject(s): African Americans; Baltimore, Maryland; Racism; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry INCIDENT, by COUNTEE CULLEN Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Once riding in old baltimore Last Line: Of all the things that happened there %that's all that I remember Subject(s): African Americans; Baltimore, Maryland; Racism; Social Protest INDIAN AND THE TROUT, by EUGENE FIELD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The president at the break of day Last Line: Turning the heads of the giddy trout Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest INDIAN'S RETORT, SELS., by JONES VERY Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The white man's soul, it thirsts for gain Last Line: The white man steals, his is the name! Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest INSCRIPTION, by EDWARD WHARTON Poem Source First Line: I got two friends to help me set is up in the night Last Line: For vengeance cry Subject(s): Justice; Social Protest INVOCATION, by S. A. DETHALL Poem Text First Line: Christ with the crown of thorns Last Line: Send me your strength for a while. Subject(s): Crucifixion; Hate; Jesus Christ; Pain; Prayer; Social Protest; War; Jesus Christ - Crucifixion; Suffering; Misery IS IT TRUE?, by NORMAN ROSTEN Poem Source First Line: Does the poster lie? Last Line: How do I collect what's mine! Subject(s): Social Protest IT IS NOT ENOUGH, by DAVID HENDERSON Poem Source First Line: It is not enough %to photograph the south vietnam premier Last Line: Red china is not allowed in the league %unless she attacks Subject(s): Social Protest JAMES BALDWIN, by SAM CORNISH Poem Source First Line: Fire in the city and malcolm Last Line: Out like a harlem full of anger %fire make me a world this time Subject(s): African Americans; Baldwin, James (1924-1987); Social Protest; Writing And Writers JOB, SELS., by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE Subject(s): Animals; Courage; Death; Social Protest JOE HILL, by ALFRED HAYES Poem Source First Line: I dreamed in saw joe hill last night Last Line: I never died,' says he Subject(s): Hill, Joe (1879-1915); Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Labor Unions; Social Protest JOE HILL LISTENS TO THE PRAYING, by KENNETH PATCHEN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Look at the steady rifles, joe Last Line: To make songs with. Subject(s): Communism; Hill, Joe (1879-1915); Labor Unions; Social Protest; Hillstrom, Joseph; Hagglund, Joel JOHN CHRISTIAN, by WALTER HENDRICKS Poem Text First Line: John christian knew the bible page by page Last Line: By killing christ and spilling human blood. Subject(s): Bible; Christianity; Hypocrisy; Religion; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Theology KIDNAPPERS!, by JAMES FREEMAN CLARKE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: When anthony burns was taken down state street Last Line: We are kidnappers and man-stealers still Alternate Author Name(s): C., J. F. Subject(s): Slavery; Social Protest KING LEAR, SELS., by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Poet's Biography Subject(s): England; Hate; Lear, King; Mothers; Social Protest KIRKLAND LAKE, by JAMES WREFORD WATSON Poem Text First Line: Under the dark industrial sky Last Line: They die for freedom that are free. Alternate Author Name(s): Wreford, James Subject(s): Freedom; Social Classes; Social Protest; Liberty; Caste LA ESPERANZA, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: My children %he gold me and I could see Last Line: My children are the decoration of my home Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest LAMENT, by ALEXANDER F. BERGMAN Poem Source First Line: In this time of the year when leaves fall Last Line: The angel of death walks in the corridors, the many-handed stalks all night Subject(s): Death; Social Protest LAMENT, by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Listen, children: / your father is dead Last Line: I forget just why. Alternate Author Name(s): Boyd, Nancy; Boissevain, Eugen, Mrs. Subject(s): Lament; Poverty; Social Protest LANDSCAPE NEAR A STEEL MILL, by HERSCHEL HORN Poem Source First Line: Over the books of bricks Last Line: Crying: fools! Where is our bread? Subject(s): Social Protest LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURE, by NORMAN ROSTEN Poem Source First Line: Black boy, the night hides you Last Line: Come on down, it's time Subject(s): Lynching; Social Protest LAST DAYS OF JOHN BROWN, SELS., by HENRY DAVID THOREAU Poet's Biography Subject(s): Social Protest LAST WILL, by JOE HILL Poem Source First Line: My will is easy to decide Last Line: Good luck to all of you Alternate Author Name(s): Hillstrom, Joesph; Hagglund, Joel Subject(s): Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Labor Unions; Social Protest LATE LATE, by GEORGE STARBUCK Poem Source First Line: Where tomahawks flash in the powwow Last Line: Old glory dissolves into static, %the box is a box is a box Subject(s): Social Protest LEAVING HOME, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: I drove back up the road to home Last Line: We can find the center of that ancient silent grove %or push open the door to a sacred place Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest LET US NOW PASSIONATELY REMEMBER, by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: My little darlings, let us now Last Line: To %no Alternate Author Name(s): Cummings, E. E. Subject(s): Social Protest; War LIBERTY FOR ALL, by WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: They tell me, liberty! That in thy name Last Line: And, by a mighty hand, the oppressed he yet shall save! Subject(s): Brotherhood; Fourth Of July; Slavery; Social Protest; Independence Day; Serfs LINE OF AN AMERICAN POET, by REED WHITTEMORE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: That american poet's future Last Line: To eb just what the country had need of: %poems uniform, safe and sure Subject(s): Social Protest LINES FOR AN INTERMENT, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Now it is fifteen years you have lain in the meadow Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; War; Dead, The LINES FOR AN INTERMENT, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Now it is fifteen years you have lain in the meadow Last Line: Now you are dead Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; War LION AND O'REILLY, by RICHARD WEBER Poem Source First Line: Who'll rage against all government Last Line: Splitting the board with a final hit Subject(s): Social Protest LONDON, 1802 (1), by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH Poem Text Poem Explanation Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: O friend! I know not which way I must look Last Line: And pure religion breathing household laws. Variant Title(s): Written In London, September, 1802;the Times That Are;in London, Setpember 1802;london, 1802 Subject(s): London; Milton, John (1608-1674); Social Protest LOVE AND YOUTH AND WAR, by DERRICK NORMAN LEHMER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Love and youth to the war they sent Last Line: When love and youth to the war have gone? Subject(s): Hate; Love; Murder; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; World War I; Youth; First World War LYNCHING, by SOLOMON BLOOMGARDEN Poem Source First Line: Father of my soul Last Line: On the tree Alternate Author Name(s): Yehoash Subject(s): Lynching; Social Protest M'FINGAL, SELS., by JOHN TRUMBULL Subject(s): American Revolution; Social Protest MADE IN HEAVEN, by PETER PORTER Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: From heals and harrods come her lovely bridegrooms Last Line: But at least I'm safe from everything but cancer - %the apotheosis of the young wife and mediocre da Subject(s): Social Protest MAKING CANNON IN BETHLEHEM, by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: It was long ago in bethlehem town Last Line: The great word is love, the right plan is peace! Subject(s): Arms & Armor; Bethlehem, Palestine; Jesus Christ; Peace; Social Protest; Violence; War; Weapons; Ammunition MAKING IT SAFE FOR CHARLES, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: He stands on the picnic table across the fence Last Line: Can we make a safe place for charles? Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest MAN, THE MAN-HUNTER, by CARL SANDBURG Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I saw man, the man-hater Last Line: The -- son of a bitch. Subject(s): Collective Behavior; Hate; Social Protest; Mobs; Crowds MARCH I; FOR DWIGHT MACDONALD, by ROBERT LOWELL Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Under the too white marmoreal lincoln memorial Last Line: His new-fangled rifle, his green new steel helmet Subject(s): Social Protest; Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975 MARTYRDOM OF THE QUAKERS, by GEORGE JOY Poem Source First Line: Those that in conscience cannot wrong a worm Last Line: To serve the lord, and whips must be their greeting Subject(s): Friends, Religious Society Of; Social Protest MASQUERADE, by SYLVIA K. POLIKOFF Poem Source First Line: In the name of love Last Line: How the gods must weep! Subject(s): Social Protest MAXIMIAN, ELEGY 5, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The sky is perfectly clear Subject(s): Chaos; Grief; Love; Man-woman Relationships; Social Protest; Sorrow; Sadness; Male-female Relations MAXIMIAN, ELEGY 5, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The sky is perfectly clear Last Line: Ever lived, had stepped across my grave Subject(s): Chaos; Grief; Love; Man-woman Relationships; Social Protest MEMORIAL DAY, POST-WAR, by MARGUERITE MOOERS MARSHALL Poem Text First Line: For golden lads, a-faring Last Line: A memory—of rue! Subject(s): Hate; Holidays; Memorial Day; Social Protest; War; Declaration Day MERRY-GO-ROUND, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Where is the jim crow section Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston Subject(s): African Americans; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks MERRY-GO-ROUND, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Where is the jim crow section Last Line: Where's the horse %for a kid that's black? Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston Subject(s): African Americans; Social Protest METAMORPHOSES: 3. THE RE-BIRTH OF VENUS, by GEOFFREY HILL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: And now the sea-scoured temptress, having failed Subject(s): Chicago; Haymarket Square Riot; Newspapers; Social Protest; Journalism; Journalists METAMORPHOSES: 3. THE RE-BIRTH OF VENUS, by GEOFFREY HILL Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: And now the sea-scoured temptress, having failed Last Line: Stayers, and searchers of the fanged pool Subject(s): Chicago; Haymarket Square Riot; Newspapers; Social Protest MIDNIGHT: 1917, by MARY CRAIG SINCLAIR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I drink my blood in secret grief, I weep Last Line: When hate has loosed its hounds of hell and death! Alternate Author Name(s): Sinclair, Upton, Mrs. Subject(s): Grief; Hate; Social Protest; Soldiers; Soldiers' Writings; War; Sorrow; Sadness MIDWAY, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT Poem Text Recitation Poet's Biography First Line: I've come this far to freedom and I won't turn back Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks MIDWAY, by NAOMI LONG (WITHERSPOON) MADGETT Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I've come this far to freedom and I won't turn back Last Line: Mighty mountains loom before me and I won't stop now Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Women; Social Protest MILITARY DRILL, by EDWARD MERRILL ROOT Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: While the clouds float calm and free Last Line: Gouts of blood burn ghastly bright! Alternate Author Name(s): Root, E. Merrill Subject(s): Cruelty; Military; Murder; Social Protest; Soldiers; War MILL MOTHER'S LAMENTS, by ELLA MAY WIGGINS Poem Source First Line: We leave our homes in the morning Last Line: Let's stand together, workers, %and have a union here Subject(s): Labor Unions; Social Protest MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, by JOSEPH BOVSHOVER Poem Source First Line: A mother's at the washtub Last Line: But more than I can bear Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest MOTHERS WITH LITTLE SONS, by ANGELA MORGAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: O mothers with little sons Last Line: And the ravaged earth be right Subject(s): Mothers & Sons; Social Protest; War MY NAME, by DANIEL BERRIGAN Poem Source First Line: If I were pablo neruda Last Line: The long trek homeward begins %into the land of the unknowning Subject(s): Social Protest NAT BACON'S BONES, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH Poem Text Poet's Biography Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald Subject(s): Bacon, Nathaniel (1647-1676); Social Protest NEW APPROACH NEEDED, by KINGSLEY AMIS Poem Source First Line: Should you revisit us, %stay a little longer Last Line: Tell your dad that from me Subject(s): Social Protest NEW CITIZENS, by ELIAS MIGUEL MUNOZ Poem Source First Line: Today %the housewife Last Line: And finally %they raised their hands %like those who hold up with their fingers %the weight of a new Subject(s): Politics; Social Protest NEW ENGLAND LAMENTED, SELS., by JOHN SAFFIN Poem Source First Line: Some of thy judges in superior courts Last Line: In evil times the prudent hold their peace Subject(s): Justice; Social Protest NICE DAY FOR A LYNCHING, by KENNETH PATCHEN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The bllodhounds look like sad old judges Subject(s): Lynching; Social Protest NICE DAY FOR A LYNCHING, by KENNETH PATCHEN Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The bllodhounds look like sad old judges Last Line: I shall be forever killing; and be killed Subject(s): Lynching; Social Protest NORDEAST, by BARTON SUTTER Poem Source First Line: We thought we'd try the new saloons Last Line: Oom-pah-pah of happiness Subject(s): Bars And Bartenders; Egoism And Egotism; Social Protest; Wealth NORETORP-NORETSYH, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Rainy, smoky fall, clouds tower Subject(s): Evil; Social Protest NORETORP-NORETSYH, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Rainy, smoky fall, clouds tower Last Line: Of the world covets your living flesh Subject(s): Evil; Social Protest NORTH AND SOUTH, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: Tonight I sit on a porch watching the northern lights Last Line: Leaving the bud space to grow Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest NOT UNAVANGED!, by WILLIAM HENRY BURLEIGH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Not unavenged, oh brother! Shall thy blood Last Line: Death to oppression! Freedom to the slave! Subject(s): Collective Behavior; Social Protest NOTHING AND THE INCIDENT IN THE STREETS, by GREGORY ORR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Nothing forced those kids Last Line: Will be their voice. Subject(s): Nothingness; Social Protest; Tiananmen Square Incident, 1989; Universities & Colleges; Youth; Nihilism; Voids OBSERVATIONS IN A CORNISH TEASHOP, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: How can they write or paint Last Line: Fed intravenously? Subject(s): Cornwall, England; Social Protest; Speculation OBSERVATIONS IN A CORNISH TEASHOP, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: How can they write or paint Last Line: Would it be nicer to be %fed intravenously? Subject(s): Cornwall, England; Social Protest; Speculation ODD METAPHORS, by WILLIAM LINVILLE Poem Source First Line: Our massive piracy Last Line: Do they remember viet nam? Subject(s): Metaphor; Social Protest ODE INSCRIBED TO W.H. CHANNING, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Though loath to grieve / the evil time's sole patriot Last Line: The astonished muse finds thousands at her side. Subject(s): Channing, William Henry (1810-1884); Napoleon I (1769-1821); Social Protest ON A RECENT PROTEST AGAINST SOCIAL CONDITIONS, by DAVID POSNER Poem Source First Line: The maples have turned. Fire snaps on my tongue Last Line: Only the dead say nothing, %even then not in fear of error Subject(s): Social Protest ON THE DANGER OF WAR, by GEORGE MEREDITH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Avert, high wisdom, never vainly wooed Last Line: To drums whose loudness is their emptiness. Subject(s): Nations; Social Protest; War ON THE FIRST FULL MOON, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source Last Line: It is enough %tell her it is enough Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest ON THE ROAD TO SANTIAGO, by STEPHEN CRANE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Well, they got me,' said reuben mcnab Last Line: That was all Subject(s): Social Protest; Spanish-american War (1898) ONE WHO MOBS THE MOB, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Do you understand how to infuse your reason - among thieves Last Line: He is a wit and a bully himself Subject(s): Collective Behavior; Social Protest ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIER, by FLOYD HARDIN Poem Text First Line: Help me, o christ, to hold thy sacred cross Last Line: (his head appears!—thank god!—I've popped my man!) Subject(s): Christianity; Jesus Christ - Suffering & Sacrifice; Murder; Social Protest; Soldiers; Soldiers' Writings; War OPENING DAY, by DAVID MCKAIN Poem Source First Line: Gusts of wind cruise like fish Last Line: Else gets up, the seagulls yammering upriver. Subject(s): Antinuclear Movement; History; Pacifism; Social Protest; Nuclear Freeze; Historians; Peace Movements ORB WEAVER, by ROBERT FRANCIS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Here is the spinner, the orb weaver Last Line: To thrive in nature and in man's nature Subject(s): Social Protest OSCEOLA, by WALT WHITMAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: When his hour for death had come Last Line: (and here a line in memory of his name and death.) Subject(s): Native Americans; Osceola, Leader Of Seminoles (1804-1838); Social Protest; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America PARADE THE NARROW TURRETS, by LUCIA TRENT Poem Text First Line: Thumb over your well-worn classics with clammy and accurate eyes Last Line: And parade the narrow turrets as a cultivated man! Alternate Author Name(s): Cheyney, Mrs. Ralph; Glass, Mrs. Ernest Subject(s): Academia; Sacco-vanzetti Case (1921); Social Protest PARADOX, by BENJAMIN FRANCIS MUSSER Poem Text First Line: We are a regiment, whose martial cry Last Line: Your own slain march at our side. Subject(s): Contrariness; Military; Pacifism; Peace; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Peace Movements PARK BENCH, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I live on a park bench Last Line: Move on over %to park avenue? Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston Subject(s): African Americans; Homeless; Social Protest PEACE, by EDWIN MARKHAM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: O brother, lift a cry, a long world cry Last Line: To end it in the sacred name of man! Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest; War PEACE, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: At peace'? The world has never been at peace Last Line: And peace no slothful, placid mockery. Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael Subject(s): Social Protest; War PEACE PROSPECT, by DANIELA GIOSEFFI Poem Source First Line: Too many people scribbling on each other's tongues Last Line: Bright animals waiting %for the right genetic moment Subject(s): Pacifism; Peace; Social Protest PEEKSKILL, by AARON KRAMER Poem Source First Line: Through every window of this land our song will go Last Line: It will go through every window of this land! Subject(s): Mccarthyism; Social Protest PEOPLE, YES, SELS., by CARL SANDBURG Poet's Biography Subject(s): Freedom; Religion; Social Protest PERMANENT DELEGATE, by YURI SUHL Poem Source First Line: My name is jew Last Line: And you will never get rid of me %until the world is hitler-free Subject(s): Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); Jews; Social Protest PHILADELPHIA: SPRING, 1985, by SONIA SANCHEZ Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: To see those eyes Subject(s): Social Protest PHILADELPHIA: SPRING, 1985, by SONIA SANCHEZ Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: To see those eyes Last Line: How still is the spiderless city. %the earth is immemorial in death Subject(s): Social Protest PHILIPPINE CONQUEST, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: It is the army of an empire not a republic Last Line: As the englishman is fighting for the banks of london Subject(s): Social Protest; Spanish-american War (1898) PLAINT (BEFORE A MOB OF 10,000 AT OWENSBORO, KY.), by CHARLES HENRI FORD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I, rainey betha, 22 / from the top branch of race-hatred look at you Alternate Author Name(s): Ford, Charles Henry Subject(s): Social Protest PLAINT (BEFORE A MOB OF 10,000 AT OWENSBORO, KY.), by CHARLES HENRI FORD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I, rainey betha, 22 %from the top branch of race-hatred look at you Last Line: Oh, who is the forester must tend such a tree, lord? %do angels pick the cherry-blood of folk like m Alternate Author Name(s): Ford, Charles Henry Subject(s): Social Protest PLOT TO ASSASSINATE THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, by CARL LARSEN Poem Source First Line: To assassinate the chase manhattan bank %is not as easy as you'd think Last Line: Discarded, like the stars, %and sea-foam, and the earth Subject(s): Social Protest POEM TO DELIGHT MY FRIENDS WHO LAUGH AT SCIENCE-FICTION, by EDWIN ROLFE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: That was the year %the small birds in their frail and delicate battalions Last Line: They may still be there, %may still be there Alternate Author Name(s): Fishman, Solomon Subject(s): Social Protest POEM, SMALL AND DELIBLE, by CAROLYN KIZER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: We have been picketing woolworth's Last Line: Picketing woolworth's. Subject(s): Civil Rights Movement; Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand (1869-1948); India; Social Protest; Racism; Women; Women's Rights; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry; Feminism POLITICAL BALLADS: DATE OBOLUM BELLESARIO, by FRANCIS HOPKINSON Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: As I travell'd o'er the plain Last Line: A penny to the poor Subject(s): Charity; Poverty; Social Protest POLITICAL COMPASSION (A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS), by TIM DIVITO Poem Source First Line: On this divided earth, play time is over Last Line: So we can preserve a strong america Subject(s): Social Protest; United States POLITICAL POEM, by AMIRI BARAKA Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Luxury, then, is a way of / being ignorant, comfortably Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi Subject(s): Social Protest POLITICAL POEM, by AMIRI BARAKA Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Luxury, then, is a way of %being ignorant, comfortably Last Line: Lamenting thru gipsies his fast suicide Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi Subject(s): Social Protest POOR MINER'S FAREWELL, by MOLLY JACKSON Poem Source First Line: They leave their dear wives and little ones too Last Line: Your mining's all over, poor miner, farewell Subject(s): Mines And Miners; Social Protest POPULIST, by GEORGE OPPEN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I dreamed myself of their people, I am of their people Subject(s): Social Protest; Alienation (social Psychology); Estrangement; Outcasts PORT AUTHORITY TERMINAL: 9 A.M. MONDAY, by CHAD WALSH Poem Source First Line: From buses beached like an invasion fleet Last Line: They fill the waiting room with striding feet Subject(s): Social Protest PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR AS A YOUNG ANARCHIST, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: While things were going on in europe Subject(s): Anarchism And Anarchists; Poverty; Social Classes; Social Protest; Wealth; Youth; Caste; Riches; Fortunes PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR AS A YOUNG ANARCHIST, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: While things were going on in europe Last Line: Stole out and shat in the golf holes Subject(s): Anarchism And Anarchists; Poverty; Social Classes; Social Protest; Wealth; Youth PRAYER AT THE GRAVES OF THE MURDERED STRIKERS, by CICERO QUEENS Poem Source First Line: O lord jesus christ, here are my men in their coffins Last Line: If he were to come to carolina? Subject(s): Labor Unions; Social Protest; Strikes PROGRESS, by GEORGE MEREDITH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: In progress you have little faith, say you Last Line: And naming progress, both shall have the word. Subject(s): Progress; Social Protest; War PROTEST, by JOSE SANTOS CHOCANO Poem Source First Line: Who and where are they that have done their best Last Line: Heeding no cries, no signals from the sea! Subject(s): Enemies; Social Protest PROTESTS (AFTER A PAINTING BY HUGO BALLIN), by LOUIS UNTERMEYER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Something impelled her from the / hearth Last Line: And all the sudden singing skies! Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael Subject(s): Social Protest PSALM 5, by ERNESTO CARDENAL Poem Source First Line: Give ear to my words, o lord Last Line: As with armor-plated tanks Subject(s): Central America; Peace; Political Campaigns; Social Protest; War QUERY, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: Did you see %god today Last Line: On the sand %by a wind-blown weed Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest RECRUITING DRIVE, by CHARLES STANLEY CAUSLEY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Under the willow the willow Alternate Author Name(s): Causley, Charles Subject(s): Military Service, Compulsory; Social Protest; War; Conscription; Military Draft; Selective Service RECRUITING DRIVE, by CHARLES STANLEY CAUSLEY Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Under the willow the willow Last Line: And caught in the snare of the bleeding air %the butcher-bird sings, sings, sings Alternate Author Name(s): Causley, Charles Subject(s): Military Service, Compulsory; Social Protest; War REGARDING THE ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE ON ARMISTICE DAY, by HENRY STEPHENS SALT Poem Text First Line: Small help from that famed silence can we win Last Line: Brief spell of silence? Nay! Long spell of thought! Subject(s): Holidays; Silence; Social Protest; Veterans Day; War REMARKS ABOUT KINGS, by HENRY VAN DYKE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: God said, 'I am tired of kings' Last Line: Smiled in the dark. Alternate Author Name(s): Civis Americanus Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; God; Government; Mankind; Social Protest; War; Human Race REMEMBER AGAIN, by R. W. S. Poem Text First Line: Rain in the blackness. Stabs of flame in the blackness Last Line: Remember again. Subject(s): Army - United States; Army Life; Memory; Pain; Social Protest; Soldiers; Soldiers' Writings; Veterans Day; War; Drills & Minor Tactics; Suffering; Misery REMEMBERING AND HONORING TONI CADE BAMBARA, by SONIA SANCHEZ Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: How to respond to the genius Last Line: Read everything? Saw everything? Subject(s): Bambara, Toni Cade (1939-1995); African Americans – Women; Social Protest; Writing & Writers REMEMBERING THAT ISLAND LYING IN THE RAIN, by THOMAS MCGRATH Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: While the rich oratory and the lying famous corrupt %senators mine our lives for another war Subject(s): Social Protest RETROSPECT OF SONG, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I've sung of spring, her buds and flowers Last Line: Of civil war! O lord, how long? Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Peace; Scotland; Social Protest; War RETURN TO THE OLD GODS, by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: The land was very dry, the crops suffered Last Line: And kick him off the mesa Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest RHYMES FOR THE TIMES: 5, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Again I ha'e ta'en to the clinkin' o' rhymes Last Line: The van of progression, oor post, an' oor part. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Rhyme; Social Protest RIOT RIMES U.S.A., by RAYMOND RICHARD PATTERSON Poem Source First Line: The foodstore owned by old man meyer Last Line: But some of us were more afraid %to keep on living like we been Alternate Author Name(s): Patterson, Ray Subject(s): African Americans; Social Protest RUFFIAN RALLY, SELS., by JOHN PIERPONT Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Brother ruffians! Ye who dwell Last Line: Shout, 'hurra for law and order!' Subject(s): Collective Behavior; Social Protest SALVOS FOR RANDOLPH BOURNE, by HORACE GREGORY Poem Source First Line: O bitterness never spoken, the death mask etched in Last Line: Or not to be Subject(s): Bourne, Randolph Silliman (1886-1918); Critics And Criticism; Social Problems; Social Protest SECURITY, by ROBERT G. TUCKER Poem Source First Line: Filthy, sick, and dying, %they wait, they mill and wait Last Line: Oh, at the gates, they move, %but - fear no evil Subject(s): Social Protest SERMON OF SPRING, SELS., by JULIA WARD HOWE Poet's Biography Subject(s): Social Protest SHE'S FREE!, by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: How say that by law we may torture and chase Last Line: For the child of her love is no longer a slave. Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Slavery; Social Protest; Women; Serfs SHOOT THE BEAST!, by MORRIS ROSENFELD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Don't spare the bullets! Load your gun Last Line: No man will hear, no god assist him Subject(s): Labor Unions; Social Protest; Strikes SLAVE-HUNTERS ARE IN BOSTON, by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: Dirty work for a country that is so loud about freedom as ours! Subject(s): Slavery; Social Protest SLAVERY, by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Slavery is a foul and monstrous idol Last Line: To be worshipped again %with human sacrifice Subject(s): Slavery; Social Protest SLEEP-WALKERS, by EDWARD MERRILL ROOT Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Black congo and red amritsar Last Line: Somnambulists who wake in hell? Alternate Author Name(s): Root, E. Merrill Subject(s): Evil; Military; Social Protest; Soldiers; War SOCIAL DISTORTION, by A. K. HUTCHINSON Poem Source First Line: When grandmothers and children are shot Last Line: Which could not decide what was important Subject(s): Social Protest SONG AND CRY OF A SOLDIER IN THE LINES, by ALBERT EDWARD CLEMENTS Poem Text First Line: Sharpen the sky to flashes of flame Last Line: When a cross and dust mark where you fell? Subject(s): Death; Government; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; World War I; Dead, The; First World War SONNET - REALITIES: 1, by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls Last Line: Moon rattles like a fragment of angry candy Alternate Author Name(s): Cummings, E. E. Subject(s): Cambridge, Massachusetts; Social Protest SOUNDING, by AMIRI BARAKA Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: And so the seasons, they tell us Last Line: Blind visionaries babbling Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi Subject(s): African Americans; Racism; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry SOUNDING, by AMIRI BARAKA Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: And so the seasons, they tell us Last Line: All no no no self no no no no selves no no no no world no no no no no no Alternate Author Name(s): Jones, Leroi Subject(s): African Americans; Racism; Social Protest SPEECH TO THE COURT, by WALTER LOWENFELS Poem Source First Line: Even now the question has changed since I started this Last Line: And we know we are moving %towards the songs of others Subject(s): Social Protest SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: CARL HAMBLIN, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The press of the spoon river clarion was wrecked Last Line: "but the multitude saw why she wore the bandage." Subject(s): Chicago; Haymarket Square Riot; Newspapers; Social Protest; Journalism; Journalists SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: EUGENE CARMAN, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Rhodes' slave! Selling shoes and gingham Last Line: From a broken vein in my head. Subject(s): Social Protest SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: HARRY WILMANS, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I was just turned twenty-one Last Line: A flag! A flag! Subject(s): Patriotism; Social Protest; Spanish-american War (1898) SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: PETIT THE POET, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Seeds in a dry pod, tick, tick, tick Last Line: While homer and whitman roared in the pines? Variant Title(s): Petit, The Poet Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Social Protest SPRING AND FALL: TO A YOUNG CHILD, by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Margaret, are you grieving Last Line: It is margaret you mourn for. Variant Title(s): Spring And Fall Subject(s): Autumn; Children; God; Grief; Holidays; Labor & Laborers; Mnemonics; Mourning; New Year; Seasons; Social Protest; Spring; Fall; Childhood; Sorrow; Sadness; Work; Workers; Bereavement STANZAS TO AN ALIEN, SELS., by PHILIP FRENEAU Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I thought you wrong to come so far Last Line: You'll see them to the devil drive Subject(s): Justice; Social Protest STRANGE FUNERAL IN BRADDOCK, by MICHAEL GOLD Poem Source First Line: Listen to the mournful drums of a strange funeral Last Line: Listen to the story of a strange american funeral Subject(s): Communism; Labor And Laborers; Poverty; Social Protest STRANGERS IN YOUR TOWN, by PETER LA FARGE Poem Source First Line: I'm an indian, I'm an alien Last Line: On the road that's freedom bound Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest STRIKERS, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: In the mud and scum of things Last Line: Nothing shall keep us dumb! Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael Subject(s): Insanity; Labor Unions; Social Protest; Strikes; Madness; Mental Illness; Labor Disputes; Lockouts STRONG MEN, by STERLING ALLEN BROWN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: They dragged you from the homeland Subject(s): African Americans; Racism; Slavery; Social Protest; Strength; Negroes; American Blacks; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry; Serfs STRONG MEN, by STERLING ALLEN BROWN Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: They dragged you from the homeland Last Line: The strong men gittin' stronger %strong men %stronger Subject(s): African Americans; Racism; Slavery; Social Protest; Strength SUFFICIENT, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Ancre ridgedge et poissoble gongpoint Last Line: Invariant as grace, as the answer %plenum Subject(s): Social Protest; Thought SUNDAY, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: It was sunday-/ eleven in the morning; people were at / church Last Line: It was sunday! Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael Subject(s): Insanity; Marching & Marches; Sabbath; Social Protest; Madness; Mental Illness; Sunday SURRENDER SPEECH OF CHIEF JOSEPH, by JOSEPH Poem Source First Line: I am tired of fighting Last Line: I will fight no more forever Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest SWEATSHOP, by MORRIS ROSENFELD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Corner of pain and anguish, there's a worn old house Last Line: And they must obey him, bow to everything Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest; Sweatshops TARRIERS' SONG, by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: Every morning at seven o'clock Last Line: And rill, ye tarriers, drill Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest TEAR GAS, by ADRIENNE CECILE RICH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: This is how it feels to do something you are afraid of Last Line: It's not the worst way to live Subject(s): Social Protest TENEBRAE (FALL OF 1967), by DENISE LEVERTOV Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Heavy, heavy, heavy, hand and heart Subject(s): Social Protest; Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975 TENEBRAE (FALL OF 1967), by DENISE LEVERTOV Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Heavy, heavy, heavy, hand and heart Last Line: Of the war. They are %not listening, not listening Subject(s): Social Protest; Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975 THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS: 1, by HAYDEN CARRUTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: You live in a sinking nation, stephen, in a stinking Last Line: Of all the beauty and comradeship I've lost. Subject(s): Corruption In Politics; Dobyns, Stephen; Future Life; Letters; Social Protest; United States; Retribution; Eternity; After Life; America THE BATH: AUGUST 6, 1945, by KIMIKO HAHN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Bathing the summer night Last Line: And to take hold. Subject(s): Antinuclear Movement; Atomic Bomb - Victims; Hiroshima, Japan; Nuclear War; Peace; Radiation & Radiation Sickness; Social Protest; Survival; War; Nuclear Freeze; Atomic Bomb; Hydrogen Bomb THE BATTLE-FIELD, by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Once this soft turf, this rivulet's sands Last Line: The blast of triumph o'er thy grave Subject(s): Peace; Religion; Social Protest; Theology THE BELLS OF HEAVEN, by RALPH HODGSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Twould ring the bells of heaven Last Line: And little hunted hares. Subject(s): Animals; Social Protest THE BLIND MAN, by WILLIAM HERVEY ALLEN JR. Poem Text First Line: At nogent, on the river marne Last Line: "my little eleanor is dead." Alternate Author Name(s): Allen, Hervey Subject(s): Blindness; Death; Death - Children; Democracy; Fathers; Innocence; Schools; Social Protest; War; Visually Handicapped; Dead, The; Death - Babies; Students THE BOY IN ARMOR; HE SPEAKS TO THE GATHERED NATIONS, by HERMANN HAGEDORN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Tremble, o world! Bow down! Cringe! Be afraid! Last Line: For you shall think! And ghosts will drive you on! Subject(s): Death; Ghosts; Lectures; Patriotism; Social Protest; Soldiers; Supernatural; Thought; War; Dead, The; Addresses; Speaking; Public Speaking; Thinking THE CRIMINALITY OF WAR, by EDWARD YOUNG (1683-1765) Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: One to destroy is murder by the law Last Line: War's glorious art, and gives immortal fame. Subject(s): Crime & Criminals; Fame; Injustice; Murder; Social Protest; War; Reputation THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Do ye hear the children weeping, o my brothers Last Line: Than the strong man in his wrath.' Variant Title(s): The Bitter Cry Of The Children Subject(s): Child Labor; Coal Mines & Miners; Freedom; Social Protest; Liberty THE CRY OF YOUTH, by HARRY HIBBARD KEMP Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I heard youth crying in the night Last Line: "yea, I am youth because I die!" Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; Youth; Dead, The THE DESERTED VILLAGE, by OLIVER GOLDSMITH Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Sweet auburn! Loveliest village of the plain Last Line: As rocks resist the billows and the sky. Subject(s): Country Life; Freedom; Lishoy, Ireland; Mothers; Religion; Social Protest; Villages; Liberty; Theology THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY, SELECTION, by AMBROSE BIERCE Poem Text Poet's Biography Last Line: Frequent oil your safety-clutch. Subject(s): Death; Egoism & Egotism; Holidays; Noses; Physicians; Social Protest; Dead, The; Doctors THE DYING OLD YEAR: 1867, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Avaunt, away! Dread shapes of hate and fear Last Line: Then passed away, with one low, moaning sigh. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Crime & Criminals; Death; Holidays; Italy; Law & Lawyers; New Year; Social Protest; Treason & Traitors; Dead, The; Italians; Attorneys THE ENEMY IN THE GATE; TO BRITANNIA, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Nay, all this availeth thee nothing Last Line: The captives of drink, on her shore. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; England; Evil; Social Protest; Temperance; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; English; Prohibition THE FARMERS OUTLAW WEEDS, by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The farmer lords of podunkville proclaimed a big conclave Last Line: For diplomats who resolute against the weed called war! Subject(s): Brotherhood; Diplomacy & Diplomats; Farm Life; Government; Law & Lawyers; Social Protest; War; Weeds; Agriculture; Farmers; Attorneys THE FLOWER MARKET, by PO CHU-YI Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: In the royal city spring is almost over Last Line: "would pay the taxes of ten poor houses." Alternate Author Name(s): Bai Juyi; Bo Juyi; Po Chu-i; Lo T'ien; Jyu-yi Subject(s): China - Tang Dynasty (618-905); Flowers; Social Protest THE GOLF LINKS, by SARAH NORCLIFFE CLEGHORN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The golf links lie so near the mill Last Line: And see the men at play. Variant Title(s): Quatrain Subject(s): Child Labor; Golf; Social Protest; Sports THE HELL-GOD, by LOUISE MORGAN SILL Poem Text First Line: I am the hell-god, war! Last Line: I am the hell-god, war! Subject(s): Hell; Social Protest; War THE HOUSE-TOP; A NIGHT PIECE, by HERMAN MELVILLE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: No sleep. The sultriness pervades the air Last Line: And -- more -- is nature's roman, never to be scourged. Subject(s): New York Draft Riots (1863); Social Protest THE JEWISH CEMETERY AT NEWPORT, by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: How strange it seems! These hebrews in their graves Last Line: And the dead nations never rise again. Subject(s): Bible; Cemeteries; Jews; Newport, Rhode Island; Religion; Social Protest; Graveyards; Judaism; Theology THE KINGS, by HENRY WILLIAM HOYNE Poem Text First Line: Three kings riding forth of old Last Line: You have wandered from your star! Subject(s): Christianity; Courts & Courtiers; Religion; Social Protest; War; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Theology THE LAST RESERVATION, by WALTER LEARNED Poem Text First Line: Sullen and dull, in the september day Last Line: In the last reservation. Subject(s): Native Americans - Reservations; Patriotism; Social Protest THE LATEST DECALOGUE, by ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Thou shalt have one god only; who Last Line: More than thyself to love thy neighbour. Subject(s): Bible; Calvinists; Hypocrisy; Religion; Social Protest; Ten Commandments; Theology THE LEADEN-EYED, by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Let not young souls be smothered out before Last Line: Not that they die, but that they die like sheep. Alternate Author Name(s): Lindsay, Vachel Subject(s): Poverty; Religion; Social Protest; Theology THE LEANE, by WILLIAM BARNES Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: They do zay that a travellen chap Last Line: An' went vurder wi' them than a dreat. Subject(s): Grass; Greed; Property; Roads; Social Protest; Avarice; Cupidity; Possessions; Paths; Trails THE LIE, by WALTER RALEIGH Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Go, soul, the body's guest Last Line: No stab the soule can kill. Alternate Author Name(s): Ralegh, Walter Variant Title(s): The Soul's Errand;the Lye Subject(s): Courage; Freedom; Lies; Social Protest; Soul; Truth; Valor; Bravery; Liberty THE LITTLE STONES; REMEMBERING A SIGHT OF ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY, by BARBARA YOUNG Poem Text First Line: I saw them shining in the sun Last Line: And no more stones in arlington. Subject(s): Arlington National Cemetery; Death; Social Protest; Soldiers; Unknown Soldier; War; Dead, The THE MAN WITH THE HOE, by EDWIN MARKHAM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Bowed by the weight of centuries he leans Last Line: After the silence of the centuries? Subject(s): Art & Artists; Farm Life; Freedom; Labor & Laborers; Mankind; Millet, Jean Francois (1814-1875); Oppression; Paintings & Painters; Religion; Social Protest; Soldiers; Agriculture; Farmers; Liberty; Work; Workers; Human Race; Theology THE MARCH I; FOR DWIGHT MACDONALD, by ROBERT LOWELL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Under the too white marmoreal lincoln memorial Subject(s): Social Protest; Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975 THE MARCH: 2, by ROBERT LOWELL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Where two or three were flung together, or fifty Subject(s): Social Protest; Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975 THE MOB, by ADA CAMBRIDGE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Why stand dumbfounded and aghast Last Line: To live so fast and be so slow to learn! Alternate Author Name(s): Cross, George, Mrs. Subject(s): Social Protest THE NEW ANTHEM, by NORMAN BOLKER Poem Text First Line: Hammered steel strips laid out Last Line: With joy and peace on every face. Subject(s): Poverty; Racism; Religious Discrimination; Social Protest; United States; Racial Prejudice; Bigotry; Religious Conflict; America THE NEW MARS, by FLORENCE EARLE COATES Poem Text First Line: I war against the folly that is war Last Line: For peace on earth,—a lasting peace, and just! Subject(s): Brotherhood; Peace; Social Protest; War THE NEWSPAPER, by GEORGE CRABBE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: A time like this, a busy, bustling time Last Line: And rise the thurlow of the future age. Subject(s): Newspapers; Social Protest; Journalism; Journalists THE NIGHT COURT, by RUTH COMFORT MITCHELL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Call rose costara!' / insolent, she comes Last Line: Call each and all! Call us! And then call her! Alternate Author Name(s): Young, Sanborn, Mrs. Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Novels & Novelists; Social Protest; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens THE PHANTOM REVIEW, by SQUIRE OMAR BARKER Poem Text First Line: Come phantom feet in the wind tonight and soundless drumbeats roll Last Line: "our pledge, to ease the watch you tread, ""it shall not be again!" Alternate Author Name(s): Barker, S. Omar Subject(s): Army Life; Death; Honor; Military; Social Protest; Soldiers; Drills & Minor Tactics; Dead, The THE PHILIPPINE CONQUEST, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poet's Biography First Line: It is the army of an empire not a republic Subject(s): Social Protest; Spanish-american War (1898) THE PLAGUE OF OUR ISLE, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: It is said, it is sung, it is written, and read Last Line: Less deadly by far than the plague of our isle. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Social Protest; Temperance; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; Prohibition THE PORTENT, by HERMAN MELVILLE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Hanging from the beam Last Line: The meteor of the war. Subject(s): Abolitionists; American Civil War; Brown, John (1800-1859); Slavery; Social Protest; United States - History; Anti-slavery; Serfs THE PREACHER AND THE SLAVE, by JOE HILL Poem Text First Line: Long-haired preachers come out every night Last Line: And you'll eat in the sweet bye and bye. Alternate Author Name(s): Hillstrom, Joesph; Hagglund, Joel Subject(s): Social Protest THE RIFLE, by COVINGTON HALL Poem Text First Line: Tis made of hard, death-tempered steel Last Line: The message men to tyrants speak! Alternate Author Name(s): Ami, Covington; Ami, Covami Subject(s): Arms & Armor; Assassination; Death; Militarism; Murder; Rifles; Social Protest; War; Weapons; Ammunition; Dead, The THE SEVEN ARTS, by ROBERT FROST Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: In the dawn of creation that morning Last Line: And the seven will all die a-bourneing. Subject(s): Bourne, Randolph Silliman (1886-1918); Critics & Criticism; Seven Arts (magazine); Social Protest THE SOCIAL SWIM, by RAY CLARKE ROSE Poem Text First Line: The social swim! You know the rules Last Line: The social swim. Subject(s): Popular Culture - United States; Social Classes; Social Protest; Caste THE SONG OF THE SHIRT, by THOMAS HOOD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: With fingers weary and worn Last Line: "she sang this ""song of the shirt!" Subject(s): Adversity; Freedom; Labor & Laborers; Religion; Social Protest; Liberty; Work; Workers; Theology THE STARS' ACCUSAL, by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY Poem Text First Line: How can the makers of unrighteous wars Last Line: Through these our sufferings we learn thy will. Alternate Author Name(s): Oxenham, John Subject(s): God; Social Protest; Stars; War THE SUFFICIENT, by KENNETH REXROTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Ancre ridgedge et poissoble gongpoint Subject(s): Social Protest; Thought; Thinking THE TRIBUTE: 1, by HILDA DOOLITTLE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Squalor spreads its hideous length Last Line: Offer refuse for meat. Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs. Subject(s): Bible; Poverty; Social Protest THE TRIBUTE: 2, by HILDA DOOLITTLE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: While we shouted our wares Last Line: The songs withered black on their lips. Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs. Subject(s): Bible; Poverty; Social Protest THE TRIBUTE: 3, by HILDA DOOLITTLE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: And we turn from the market Last Line: One bright god with a lance. Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs. Subject(s): Bible; Poverty; Social Protest THE TRIBUTE: 4, by HILDA DOOLITTLE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: They have sent the old gods from the city Last Line: Beside one young life that is lost. Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs. Subject(s): Bible; Poverty; Social Protest THE TRIBUTE: 5, by HILDA DOOLITTLE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Though not one of the city turned Last Line: As light circles an olive-branch. Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs. Subject(s): Bible; Poverty; Social Protest THE TRIBUTE: 6, by HILDA DOOLITTLE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: With these we will cry to another Last Line: For our city's sake. Alternate Author Name(s): H. D.; Aldington, Richard, Mrs. Subject(s): Bible; Poverty; Social Protest THE UNKNOWN CITIZEN, by WYSTAN HUGH AUDEN Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: He was found by the bureau of statistics to be Alternate Author Name(s): Auden, W. H. Subject(s): Bourgeoisie; Bureaucracy; Conformity; Modern Man; Social Protest; Statistics & Statisticians; Middle Class THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, by WITTER BYNNER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: And then I felt a fever in my veins Last Line: Was that a whisper in the evening breeze? Alternate Author Name(s): Morgan, Emanuel Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; Unknown Soldier; War; Dead, The THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, by ARTHUR B. RHINOW Poem Text First Line: I - they look so solemn and fine. Who are they? Last Line: Myself—ah, the music. Subject(s): Honor; Social Protest; Unknown Soldier; War THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, by MARGARET STINEBACK Poem Text First Line: His dreams have all grown lovely with the years Last Line: Along the path of peace—god's path—instead! Subject(s): Courage; Graves; Peace; Social Protest; Soldiers; Unknown Soldier; War; Valor; Bravery; Tombs; Tombstones THE VANITY OF THE WORLD, by FRANCIS QUARLES Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: False world, thou lyest; thou canst not lend Last Line: Can these bring cordial peace? False world, thou ly'st. Variant Title(s): The World's Fallacies;wilt Thou Set Thine Eyes Subject(s): Adversity; Social Protest THE VICTIM OF DRINK; THE EARLY LOST, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The early lost I mourn Last Line: For ever pray. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Drinks & Drinking; Social Protest; Temperance; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; Wine; Prohibition THE VIRGINIA SCAFFOLD; JOHN BROWN, DECEMBER 2, 1859, by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Rear on high the scaffold-altar! All the world will turn to see Last Line: And his sowing find its reaping in the birthday of the free! Alternate Author Name(s): Dean Subject(s): Abolitionists; American Civil War; Brown, John (1800-1859); Slavery; Social Protest; U.s. - History; Anti-slavery; Serfs THE WAR AGAINST THE TREES, by STANLEY JASSPON KUNITZ Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: The man who sold his lawn to standard oil Subject(s): Social Protest THE WARS IN SWEDEN, by CAROLYN KIZER Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The streets of stockholm are churning with guerrillas Last Line: Being the conscience of the white race isn't much fun. Subject(s): Social Protest; Sweden; Women; Women's Rights; Feminism THE WATCHER AT THE GATE, by SAMUEL HAWKINS MARSHALL BYERS Poem Text First Line: Hark - from yonder east there come Last Line: Love alone can save the world. Subject(s): Love; Nations; Salvation; Social Protest; War THE WORLD; SONNET, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: The world is too much with us: late and soon Last Line: Or hear old triton blow his wreathed horn. Variant Title(s): Rather A Pagan;worldliness Subject(s): Alienation (social Psychology); Melancholy; Men; Nature; Paganism & Pagans; Social Protest; Estrangement; Outcasts; Dejection THE WRAITHS, by EDYTHE C. TONER Poem Text First Line: Hosts of the martyred dead! Last Line: "thus die ... Thus die?" Subject(s): Death; Ghosts; Social Protest; Soldiers; Supernatural; War; Youth; Dead, The THESE OLD CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN FARMS, by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: It's hard to be bound down in prison Last Line: See red campbell, for he composed this song Subject(s): Sharecroppers; Social Protest THEY ARE DEAD NOW, by JOHN DOS PASSOS Poem Source First Line: This isn't a poem Last Line: Make a poem of that if you dare Subject(s): Sacco-vanzetti Case (1921); Social Protest THIS MORNING THE SUN, by OLGA CABRAL Poem Source Last Line: Seven-year-old boy %in a village that went up in napalm Subject(s): Social Protest THIS NEWER BONDAGE, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: What, was it all for naught, those awful years Last Line: Nay, not for this, a nation's heroes bled, %and north and south with tears beheld their death Subject(s): African Americans; Social Protest THIS NOBLE HEAD, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The very conditions of the game must always be Last Line: Werever they may wander in the earth Subject(s): Social Protest; Sumner, Charles (1811-1874) THIS SOIL SHALL BE OURS, by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: We own not your laws nor your treaties: this soil Last Line: Has coiled round our vitals: let time tell the rest Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL HELL, by FLORENCE MARGARET SMITH Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Is it not interesting to see Last Line: Oh oh have none of it, %blow it away, have done with it Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, Stevie Subject(s): Social Protest TIMES ARE GETTIN' HARD, BOYS, MONEY GETTIN' SCARCE, by LEE HAYS Poem Source Last Line: Goin' to have the best farm you have ever seen Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest TIRED, by FENTON JOHNSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I am tired of work; I am tired of building up somebody else's civilization Last Line: I am tired of civilization. Subject(s): African Americans; Civilization; Social Protest; Negroes; American Blacks TO A CERTAIN VERY UGLY BUILDING: THE ARMORY, by VINCENT GODFREY BURNS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Minotaur of madness, you certainly belong there Last Line: O slumtown symbol of war's grim insanity! Subject(s): Arms & Armor; Army - Ireland; Buildings & Builders; Death; Pacifism; Social Protest; War; Weapons; Ammunition; Dead, The; Peace Movements TO A FRIEND WANTING WAR, by MAXWELL STRUTHERS BURT Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I trust that when the bugles blow Last Line: To think on death's monotony. Alternate Author Name(s): Burt, Struthers Subject(s): Death; Murder; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; World War I; Dead, The; First World War TO COLONEL CHARLES, by GEORGE MEREDITH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: An english heart, my commandant Last Line: Where chlum drove deep in smoky jets. Subject(s): Austria; Social Protest; War TO MAKE THE PEOPLE HAPPY, LASH THEM WITH GUNS, by VICTOR MARIE HUGO Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: Turns flabby and trembles; and - peace! Says war Subject(s): Social Protest TO MOTHER EARTH, by JANET HAMILTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: O earth, earth, earth! Where wilt thou hide thy slain? Last Line: The wrath of man but works his will, earth's sovereign judge is he. Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson Subject(s): Earth; Social Protest; War; World TO PEACE, by W. W. M. Poem Text First Line: We are the dead Last Line: Make green thy fields for us, and bring us tears and laughter? Subject(s): Death; Military; Peace; Social Protest; War; Women; Dead, The TO SCIENCE; SONNET, by EDGAR ALLAN POE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Science! True daughter of old time thou art! Last Line: The summer dream beneath the tamarind tree? Variant Title(s): Sonnet - To Science;to Science Subject(s): Hate; Mythology; Social Protest TO SIR TOBY, by PHILIP FRENEAU Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: If there exists a hell, the case is clear Last Line: And hardly safe from brother traitors there. Subject(s): Slavery; Social Protest; Serfs TO THE LADIES, by ARNOLD KENSETH Poem Source First Line: Moves in me now the tongues, the gongs Last Line: Hearing her sister come, waiting the hiss %to turn her to a mrs. From a miss ... ? Subject(s): Social Protest TODAY, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: This is her life. She makes coffee in the morning Last Line: Seeing each detail with her heart Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest TOWARD THE JURASSIC AGE, by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Someone brought them to palma Last Line: Impossible to bury them Alternate Author Name(s): Flakoll, Darwin, Mrs. Subject(s): Central America; Social Protest; Tyranny & Tyrants; War; Dictators TOWARD THE JURASSIC AGE, by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Someone brought them to palma Last Line: Impossible to bury them Alternate Author Name(s): Flakoll, Darwin, Mrs. Subject(s): Central America; Social Protest; Tyranny And Tyrants; War TRANSFIGURATIONS, by JAMES OPPENHEIM Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: We spat on the dirt and the flesh Last Line: Then hell will be emptier. Subject(s): Poverty; Social Protest TRANSFORMATION, by CARL SANDBURG Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: In many homes / one sees old shrapnel cases Last Line: Let me work. Subject(s): Change; Death; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; World War I; Dead, The; First World War TRICKLE DOWN, by CARL STILLWELL Poem Source First Line: Corporate downsizing Last Line: If it doesn't dribble through Subject(s): Corporate Downsizing; Economics; Social Protest TRIUMPH OF INFIDELITY, SELS., by TIMOTHY DWIGHT Poem Source Poet's Biography Subject(s): Clergy; Social Protest TRUE GREATNESS?, by TIM DIVITO Poem Source First Line: Cold and alone in the world Last Line: As long as people eat out of garbage cans Subject(s): Social Protest TWENTY MILLION, FROM LOST YOUTH: THE LAST WAR, by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: In nineteenfourteen Last Line: Than there are stars in heaven Subject(s): Social Protest; War TWO BUMS WALK OUT OF EDEN. EVENING APPROACHES, by ROBERT FRANCIS Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: Now there is room for evening in the park %where cool episcopal bells are calling, calling Subject(s): Social Protest TWO SONNETS, IN 1972: 2. MAY, by DAVID LEHMAN Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: With little to do, and less to say Subject(s): Social Protest UNHAPPY BOSTON, by PAUL REVERE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Unhappy boston! See thy sons deplore Last Line: Shall reach a judge who never can be bribed. Subject(s): Boston Massacre; Collective Behavior; Social Protest; U.s. - History; Mobs; Crowds UNKNOWN CITIZEN, by WYSTAN HUGH AUDEN Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: He was found by the bureau of statistics to be Last Line: Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd: %had anything been wrong, we should certainly hav Alternate Author Name(s): Auden, W. H. Subject(s): Bourgeoisie; Bureaucracy; Conformity; Modern Man; Social Protest; Statistics And Statisticians UNNATURAL ACT, by MICHAEL CERAOLO Poem Source First Line: The axiom has always held that money is the mother's milk of politics Last Line: Resulting in the malnutrition of the body politic Subject(s): Politics; Social Protest UNTIL WE DROOL AND PISS OURSELVES, by STEPHEN DOBYNS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Car honk, donkey bray, seal bark - it's only since Last Line: This tumult, undefined, forms the footpath to the final death: his own Subject(s): Change; Death; Social Protest UNWANTED, by EDWARD FIELD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The poster with my picture on it Alternate Author Name(s): Elliot, Bruce Subject(s): Gays & Lesbians; Labor & Laborers; Poetry & Poets; Social Protest; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men; Work; Workers UNWANTED, by EDWARD FIELD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: The poster with my picture on it Alternate Author Name(s): Elliot, Bruce Subject(s): Gays & Lesbians; Labor & Laborers; Poetry & Poets; Social Protest; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men; Work; Workers UNWANTED, by EDWARD FIELD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The poster with my picture on it Last Line: Warning: this man is not dangerous, answers to any name %responds to love, don't call him or he will Alternate Author Name(s): Elliot, Bruce Subject(s): Homosexuality; Labor And Laborers; Poetry And Poets; Social Protest UPON THE WINDS OF SPRING, by MARY CRAIG SINCLAIR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I feel the terror in the world tonight Last Line: Pain stabs my heart and binds the wound with fear! Alternate Author Name(s): Sinclair, Upton, Mrs. Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; Soldiers; Spring; World War I; Dead, The; First World War VANZETTI SPEAKS TO THE COURT, by BARTOLOMEO VANZETTI Poem Source First Line: If it had not been for these things Last Line: That last moment belong to us - %that agony is our triumph Subject(s): Sacco-vanzetti Case (1921); Social Protest VERSES FROM ANTI-TURNPIKE RIOTS; PEMBROKESHIRE, 1843, by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: Where is rebecca? That daughter of my story! Last Line: Bu all to no purpose - good-bye then, rebecca! Subject(s): Social Protest; Toll Roads VERSES TO THE TOLL-COLLECTOR, CARMARTHEN, WALES, by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: By blood and fire christ strikes the blow Last Line: Who admits none, except they pay %the piper Subject(s): Social Protest; Toll Roads VICARIOUS ATONEMENT, by RICHARD ALDINGTON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: There is an old and very cruel god Last Line: This bitter cup from us. Subject(s): Death; Goddesses & Gods; Military; Mythology; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Dead, The VISION OF PIERS PLOWMAN, SELS., by WILLIAM LANGLAND Subject(s): Brotherhood; Freedom; Social Protest W (VIVA): 30, by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I sing of olaf glad and big Alternate Author Name(s): Cummings, E. E. Subject(s): Social Protest; World War I; First World War W (VIVA): 30, by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I sing of olaf glad and big Last Line: More brave than me:more blond than you Alternate Author Name(s): Cummings, E. E. Subject(s): Social Protest; World War I WAGE-SLAVES TO WAR-MAKERS, by EDWARD RALPH CHEYNEY Poem Text First Line: We have no land for which to fight Last Line: It will be you, it will be you! Alternate Author Name(s): Cheyney, Ralph Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Russian Revolution; Social Protest; War; Work; Workers WAIL FOR MASSACHUSETTS, SELS., by DANIEL S. WHITNEY Subject(s): Social Protest WAKING NIGHTMARES: I, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: I think that when they slit open Last Line: But you have know the devil Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest WAKING NIGHTMARES: II, by JUDITH MCDANIEL Poem Source First Line: Declaring thursday that the nation's limits Last Line: Who have too little regard for human life Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest WAR, by ARTHUR JOHN ARBUTHNOTT STRINGER Poem Text First Line: From hill to hill he harried me Last Line: Who'd wronged not mine nor me! Alternate Author Name(s): Arbuthnott, John Subject(s): Injustice; Murder; Social Protest; Soldiers; War WAR AGAINST THE TREES, by STANLEY JASSPON KUNITZ Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The man who sold his lawn to standard oil Last Line: One witness-moment, caught %in the rear-view mirrors of the passing cars Subject(s): Social Protest WAR BETWEEN TWO RACES OF ANTS, by HENRY DAVID THOREAU Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: It was - a war between two races of ants Last Line: The battle which I witnessed %took place in the presidency of polk Subject(s): Polk, James Knox (1795-1849); Social Protest; U.s. - Mexican War (1846-1848) WAR DEAD, by PATRICK JOHN MCALISTER ANDERSON Poem Text First Line: Always the dead seem unsuccessful Last Line: Of those in whom we might have been justified. Subject(s): Death; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Dead, The WAR DISPLAY, by EDMUND VANCE COOKE Poem Text First Line: This is the song of the thousand who are multipled by twelve Last Line: For oh, we are proud that we flaunt this flesh in the markets of dismal death! Subject(s): Death; Military Service, Compulsory; Military Service, Voluntary; Social Protest; Soldiers; War; Youth; Dead, The; Conscription; Military Draft; Selective Service WAR FOR SLAVERY WAS WAGED FOR BASEST ENDS, by WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON Poem Source Poet's Biography Last Line: How can I ppray to heaven for thy success? Subject(s): Social Protest; U.s. - Mexican War (1846-1848) WAR IN CHANG-AN CITY, by WANG TS'AN Poem Source First Line: Chang-an in utter confusion Last Line: Who lies there, long with a broken heart %for the sweet day of peace Subject(s): Social Protest WAR IS KIND: 1, by STEPHEN CRANE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind Last Line: War is kind. Subject(s): American Civil War; Americans; Men; Social Protest; United States - History; United States; America WAR WITH SPAIN, by BERTRAND SHADWELL Poem Source First Line: Where fever does its deadly work Last Line: And raise the despot's flag of the grim old world Subject(s): Social Protest; Spanish-american War (1898) WAR YEAR, by TS'AO SUNG Poem Source First Line: Lowland hills and rivers %dragged on to the war map Last Line: Ten thousand corpses %to rot! Subject(s): Social Protest WAR!, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: "war - a dirty, loathesome, servile murder-job" Last Line: Because he made them in his image Subject(s): Death;injustice;military;social Protest;soldiers;war; "dead, The; WARMEST AND COLDEST DAY EVER, by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I'll never %forget how Last Line: And the papers we caught %turned to snow Subject(s): Social Protest; War WATERLOO, by HAYDEN CARRUTH Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Overlooking the battlefield, on that grassy Last Line: At him. Perhaps he wasn't there. But he was. Subject(s): Sadism; Social Protest; War; Waterloo; Battle Of Waterloo WE DIDN'T KNOW, by TOM PAXTON Poem Source First Line: We didn't know, said the burgermeister %about the camp on the edge of town Last Line: I wish this war was over abd through, %but what do you expect me to do? Subject(s): Social Protest WEBSTER, by FREDERICK DOUGLASS Poem Source First Line: A thunder-shivered column stood before me Last Line: And as a house divided against itself must fall, %so daniel webster has fallen Alternate Author Name(s): Bailey, Frederick Augustus Washington Subject(s): Slavery; Social Protest WEBSTER, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Why did all manly gifts in webster fail? Last Line: He wrote on nature's grandest brow, for sale. Subject(s): Nature; Social Protest; Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO AMERICA, by RAYMOND RICHARD PATTERSON Poem Source First Line: What ever happened to %those crazy white Last Line: They had lots of friends Alternate Author Name(s): Patterson, Ray Subject(s): Civil Rights Movement; Social Protest WHEN THE COCK CROWS; TO THE MEMORY OF FRANK LITTLE, by ARTURO GIOVANNITTI Poem Source First Line: Six men drove up to hsi house at midnight and woke the poor woman who kept it Last Line: Even then, even then, I shall not deny him Subject(s): Labor Unions; Social Protest; Strikes; World War I WHEN VIRTUE'S TEMPLE FALLS, by SOPHIA L. LITTLE Poem Source First Line: And did ye think, ye tyrants! That these deeds Last Line: And lifts, in faith, to heaven, her glory-streaming eyes! Subject(s): Collective Behavior; Social Protest WHILE THESE IS A COUNTRY TO SHARE, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We hear the screams of hunted wives and children Last Line: And depart to some land where freedom exists Subject(s): Social Protest; Sumner, Charles (1811-1874) WHITE CHRISTMAS, by WILLIAM ROBERT RODGERS Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Punctually at christmas the soft plush Last Line: Of repentance for the false day that's fled Alternate Author Name(s): Rodgers, W. R. Subject(s): Christmas; Social Protest WHITE FEATHER, by PHILIP M. HARDING Poem Text First Line: Strike on, great nations, wage new armaments Last Line: To watch your bodies rotting clean again. Subject(s): Evil; Nations; Social Protest; War WINE FOR THE KING, by CLINTON SCOLLARD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: What is the word of the wind? The word of the wind is war! Last Line: Naught, for there must be wine—red, red wine for the king! Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; Government; Social Protest; War WOLVES OF THE BORDER, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The foul human vultures Last Line: And the crown of his harvest %is life out of death Subject(s): Collective Behavior; Social Protest WOMAN MOURNS FOR HER HUSBAND, by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: They came. They brought the ones Last Line: But when one's husband dies there is no happiness Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest WORLD-WINTER, by LAURA BELL EVERETT Poem Text First Line: Wandering on yestereen Last Line: Of lasting peace? Subject(s): Peace; Social Protest; War YOU ARE BARBARIANS, by ROGER WILLIAMS (1603-1683) Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: When indians hear the horrid filths Last Line: In the end they will bereave us Subject(s): Native Americans; Social Protest YOU AT WASHINGTON, by ERNEST HOWARD CROSBY Poem Source First Line: There is 'great rejoicing at the nation's capital.' so says the morning's paper Last Line: May wait long for victory, but never waits in vain Subject(s): Social Protest; Spanish-american War (1898); War YOU WHO DENY: A HARANGUE, by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER Poet's Biography First Line: You who deny, my impulse is to shake you Last Line: We go on Subject(s): Social Protest |
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