Famous Friction Poems by Famous Poets

These are examples of famous Friction poems written by some of the greatest and most-well-known modern and classical poets. PoetrySoup is a great educational poetry resource of famous friction poems. These examples illustrate what a famous friction poem looks like and its form, scheme, or style (where appropriate).

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Marriage

by Marianne Moore
 This institution,
perhaps one should say enterprise
out of respect for which
one says one need not change one's mind
about a thing one has believed in,
requiring public promises
of one's intention
to fulfill a private obligation:
I wonder what Adam and Eve
think of it by this time,
this firegilt steel
alive with goldenness;
how bright it shows --
"of circular traditions and impostures,
committing many spoils,"
requiring all one's criminal ingenuity
to...Read more of this...

Crowride

by A R Ammons
 When the crow
lands, the
tip of the sprung spruce

bough weighs
so low, the
system so friction-free,

the bobbing lasts
way past any
interest in the subject....Read more of this...

Forard

by Henry Lawson
 It is stuffy in the steerage where the second-classers sleep, 
For there's near a hundred for'ard, and they're stowed away like sheep, -- 
They are trav'lers for the most part in a straight 'n' honest path; 
But their linen's rather scanty, an' there isn't any bath -- 
Stowed away like ewes and wethers that is shore 'n' marked 'n'...Read more of this...

The Aliens

by Charles Bukowski
 you may not believe it
but there are people
who go through life with
very little
friction or
distress.
they dress well, eat
well, sleep well.
they are contented with
their family
life.
they have moments of
grief
but all in all
they are undisturbed 
and often feel
very good.
and when they die
it is an easy
death, usually in their
sleep. 
you may not believe 
it 
but such people do
exist. 
but I am not one of
them.
oh...Read more of this...

Tranquilism

by Robert William Service
 I call myself a Tranquilist;
With deep detachment I exist,
 From friction free;
While others court the gilded throng
And worship Women, Wine and Song,
 I scorn the three.
For I have reached the sober age
When I prefer to turn a page
 Beside the fire,
And from the busy mart of men
To meditative book and pen
 With grace retire.

If you are craving peace of...Read more of this...

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