Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poet Lyric

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Doth if not thrill thee, Poet,
Dead and dust though thy art, 
To feel how I press thy singing 
Close to my heart? 

Published first at age thirteen,
Historical stanzas
Expressions of the patriot thou art
Lyrics singing.

Your candles nightly glowing,
Great writings to impart,
Signaled from the Old north Church
Paul Revere’s Ride.

Do you revel from above,
“Poems of Slavery” roused,
Oh, abolitionist, thou famed
Compassion heard.

The Villiage Blacksmith sweating
Working his way through life,
Remembers your ancestral past.
Honored through time.

My favorite childhood poet
Sharing my same birthdate*,
You crossed the decades to my youth
And made me see.

Where lies, now, thy influence?
Embedded in my soul –
Patriotic heart and poet,
Grown from thy art.

Ó November 19, 2011
Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest:  The Passionate Reader 	
Sponsored by: Constance ~ My Dear Heart ~

See Notes:

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Tony Lane November 19, 2011 at 6:51 AM I went to Longfellow Grade School in Toledo, Ohio. I read his poems when I was a kid because I wanted to know the man that my school was named after. He became my favorite also. Tony