Poem Americans like the best -- Part 2

Robert Frost was perhaps the most popular and beloved of twentieth century American poets. So it is not surprising that six of his poems are included in the book "Americans' Favorite Poems."

He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry four times. He often

wrote about the land and people of the northeastern American

states

His poems often combine images of nature with ideas about how to live one's life. This one is called "The Road Not Taken." It is one of his most famous poems

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference



Langston Hughes published more than thirty books. He started with poetry and then expanded into novels, short stories, plays and personal memories.

He was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. This was the celebration of African-American literature, art and music in New York City in the

nineteen twenties.

He continued writing into the nineteen sixties. Hughes' work often spoke plainly about the difficult lives of black people living in big cities.

This poem is called "Mother to Son."

Well son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

It's had tacks in it,

And splinters,



And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor -

Bare.

But all the time

I'se been a-climbin' on,

And reachin' landin's,

And turnin' corners,

And sometimes goin' in the dark

Where there ain't been no light.

So boy, don't you turn back.

Don't you set down on the steps

'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.









Don't you fall now -

For I'se still goin', honey,

I'se still climbin,'

And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

Edna Saint Vincent Millay's poetry is also included in "Americans' Favorite Poems." She lived during the first half of the twentieth century. She was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, in nineteen twenty-three.

She was also famous for the free way she lived her life and for her many lovers. Here is one of her poems about love, called "Sonnet Twenty-four."

Edna Saint Vincent

Millay



When you, that at this moment are to me



Dearer than words on paper, shall depart,



And be no more the warder of my heart,



Whereof again myself shall hold the key;

And bed no more - what now you seem to be -

The sun, from which all excellences start

In a round nimbus, nor a broken dart

Of moonlight, even, splintered on the sea;

I shall remember only of this hour -

And weep somewhat, as now you see me weep -

The pathos of your love, that, like a flower,

Fearful of death yet amorous of sleep,

Droops for a moment and beholds, dismayed,

The wind whereon its petals shall be laid.