It was believed that the style of writing calligrammes was originally developed in 1918 by the French poet, Guillaume Apollinaire, when he published a book of poems that did not look like poems. He named the book Calligrammes which means “beautiful writing”. He used words and lines to form his poems. Sometimes the shape related to the subject of the poem.  But actually the calligram style of poetry was written before then. It was called “shaped poetry” or “pattern poetry.”  English poet George Herber wrote “Easter … Continue reading →

The poems and songs of Rod McKuen express a bittersweet, aching tenderness towards life that has endeared him to millions of fans. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, he was perhaps the most popular poet in the United States. His songs have been recorded by over 500 artists, and he himself has produced over 200 albums. Born in a Salvation Army hospital during the Great Depression of the 1930s, driven by brutal abuse to run from his family, and forced to earn his own … Continue reading →

April by Amy Lowell (1874 – 1925) A bird chirped at my window this morning,And over the sky is drawn a light net-work of clouds.Come,Let us go out into the open,For my heart leaps like a fish that is ready to spawn. I will lie under the beech-trees,Under the grey branches of the beech-trees,In a blueness of little squills and crocuses.I will lie among the little squillsAnd be delivered of this overcharge of beauty,And that which is born shall be a joy to youWho love … Continue reading →