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Poetry Country

“The Republic of Poetry,” by Martín Espada, begins,

In the republic of poetry,
a train full of poets
rolls south in the rain
as plum trees rock
and horses kick the air,

To read the rest, go to poets.org

Don't you wish we lived in such a republic? Gosh, I love this poem. I came across it while reading around in Latino Poetry: The Library of America Anthology, edited by Rigoberto González. The anthology features "[m]ore than 180 poets, spanning from the 17th century to today...," , as the LOA website says.

The Poetry Friday roundup is at Michelle Kogan's place, MoreArt4All, on December 19th. Go, visit. You're sure to see some fine art over there, too.

Happy holidays to all! 

Photo by Susan Thomsen

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31 responses to “Poetry Country”

  1. Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing Avatar
    Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

    Gosh Susan, that’s a terrific poem, let’s go! Love the poets reading to baboons, bombarding  “the national palace/with poems on bookmarks,” and the closing with the guard’s “Ah! Beautiful.” Thanks!

    I think your link to “The Republic of Poetry at Poets.org might be off, I went to the site with this link: https://poets.org/lesson-plan/teach-poem-republic-poetry-martin-espada

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Thanks for that catch, Michelle! I was walking around with code stuck to my shoe again. I think I’ve fixed it. Now I’m ready to go!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing Avatar
    Michelle Kogan Art, Illustration, & Writing

    Yep, I like the train pic too! Such a magical ride on that train…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
    Susan.Thomsen

    The Poetry Friday Express!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. rosecappelli Avatar
    rosecappelli

    Thanks for the link to the poem, Susan. It’s full of great images. The Republic of Poetry sounds like a very special place indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      I especially want to see the “train full of poets” rolling through the landscape.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Irene Latham Avatar
    Irene Latham

    The Republic of Poetry is quite a happening place! We can all create our own little republics of poetry, can’t we?? Thanks, Susan!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Yes, we do. The Republic of Poetry is a good place to be on a rainy Friday morning.

      Like

      Reply
  6. lindabaie Avatar
    lindabaie

    I tried to choose a favorite part, but it’s too difficult, Susan. It’s all wonderful! I believe that Poetry Friday could make an addition, though! Thanks for a beautiful start to my day!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Oh, for sure we could work Poetry Friday in there. Good idea!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Mona Voelkel Avatar
    Mona Voelkel

    Susan, where do I buy my ticket? I just printed this poem out and will be rereading as it uplifted me with every word!!!! I LOVE the monks printing poems on the chocolate boxes!!!! Thank you for the joy and Happy Holidays!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Mona, today the train full of poets is free! I’m glad you liked this one. Maybe we need to talk MetroNorth into becoming a Poetry Train. Ha.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Mona Voelkel Avatar
    Mona Voelkel

    OMG!!! Yes!!! YES!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Tabatha Avatar
    Tabatha

    I have a map of a land of poetry (“poesia”) from a vintage book, framed. Thanks for taking us to visit!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      De nada, Tabatha! The map sounds like a treasure.

      Like

      Reply
  10. Alan j Wright Avatar
    Alan j Wright

    Where can I purchase a ticket? Sounds like my kind of gathering. Since I was a small child, poetry and trains have been along for the journey. All aboard! Thanks for this gem, Susan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      You’re welcome, Alan! I like trains, too; the photo is actually from a MetroNorth (commuter rail line) open house last fall in New Haven CT. All the local train buffs were there!

      Like

      Reply
  11. maryleehahn Avatar
    maryleehahn

    Count me in, too! What a dream, but to make it a reality we’ll have to start small. Perhaps, for instance, a weekly gathering online! heh heh!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Yes, ma’am, that’s the ticket! (haha) A weekly poetry ride—let’s call it Poetry Friday.

      Like

      Reply
  12. Mitchell Linda Avatar
    Mitchell Linda

    Count me in! I want to live in this marvelous, magical place. Thanks for sharing this poem with us. It’s perfect.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Me, too, Linda! I’m glad you liked this one. It does have a spirit of Poetry Friday, doesn’t it?

      Like

      Reply
  13. margaretsmn Avatar
    margaretsmn

    I feel, like others, that the train of poetry is Poetry Friday. What a wonderful community we share learning each week about poetry and poets and what we each experience in this republic of poetry. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Well said, Margaret. I agree!

      Like

      Reply
  14. Karen Edmisten Avatar
    Karen Edmisten

    Oh, yes, I do love this poem! It’s marvelous. 

    And it reminded of a delightful conversation at my blog last year about “Poetry Town.” (Just went to find it to share. It’s here. Everyone was all in on the idea of moving to Poetry Town.) 🙂 

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      I love the idea of Poetry Town! So fun, like the Republic of Poetry and the train full of poets.

      Like

      Reply
  15. cathystenquist Avatar
    cathystenquist

    Wow, that is a wonderful poem. Thank you so much for sharing. Yes, boy would I like to reside in that Republic. I guess in our own way we’re helping create that by putting Poetry out into the world on Fridays our own virtual Republic I guess 🙂 I love this phrase:

    and everyone in the courtyardrushes to grab a poemfluttering from the sky,blinded by weeping.

    Beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      I can just see it, the poems dropping down from the sky. The images in this poem are amazing.

      Like

      Reply
  16. cvarsalona Avatar
    cvarsalona

    Susan, oh to live in land that touches poetry at every level; that’s joyful and filled with positivity as words flow through the sky. You found a great poem for all of us. I am ready to jump on that train.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      Me, too, Carol! Happy holidays to you and your family.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. patriciafranz Avatar
    patriciafranz

    Oh I would love to stand beneath a sky fluttering with bookmarks falling! Thank you for sharing this lovely poem, Susan!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Susan.Thomsen Avatar
      Susan.Thomsen

      My pleasure, Patricia! The poem really spoke to me when I read it.

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