Poetry

I have been teaching poetry this summer and enjoying it very much. Growing up my grandfather and father always shared poetry, memorized and read, regularly with us. At the time I didn't fully appreciate it. In school I never really took to poetry. But during my first masters I took a class on poetry which I really enjoyed and teaching it this sumer to seventh graders has been a lot of fun. All of this is a long way of explaining why I am posting on poetry. Here is a poem I came across tonight that I find of interest in regards to the current state of our country/world. I took this from Poets.org. A great website for exploring random poems.

A Nation's Strength
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
What makes a nation's pillars high And it's foundations strong? What makes it mighty to defy The foes that round it throng? It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand Go down in battle shock; Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, Not on abiding rock. Is it the sword? Ask the red dust Of empires passed away; The blood has turned their stones to rust, Their glory to decay. And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown Has seemed to nations sweet; But God has struck its luster down In ashes at his feet. Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor's sake Stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while others sleep, Who dare while others fly... They build a nation's pillars deep And lift them to the sky.