Responses to American Poetry

The aim of this online space is to host the research work of university students or young scholars as this emerges from larger projects focusing on the American poetry scene. The objective of this initiative is to bring this kind of research activity to the attention of the general public in an attempt to further promote the exchange of ideas with regard to the process of reading, understanding and appreciating poetry writing.

Tatiani Rapatzikou 
(Associate Professor, School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Advisor and initiative co-ordinator trapatz@enl.auth.gr)

Daniel Ryan

Daughters of Sons of Daughters

The children were named in honor of members of the family
There was a secret, however, as there always is
There still is. And it terrifies you. Nameless in dark
The cracked skin of the knuckle wishes you’d pay more attention

There was a secret, however, as there always is
Creation was created in the shadows they were born in
The cracked skin of the knuckle wishes you’d pay more attention
Love, when you do, will be one hand on the other

Creation was created in the shadows you were born in
It’s just hard to justify what we’re doing here man
Love, when you do, will be one hand on the other
Functionally there’s no difference between you and the market

It’s just hard to justify what we’re doing here man
People’s savings will rest in my heart and appreciate interest
Functionally there’s no difference between you and the market
When poetry ceases to be the most lucrative profession, what then?

People’s savings will rest in my heart and appreciate in interest
Beautiful, luscious skin that is younger and younger everyday
When poetry ceases to be the most lucrative profession, what then?
The family will have to rise, the children will remember their names

Beautiful, luscious skin that is younger and younger everyday
Eyes. Eyes that you look into and do not look out of. You see
The family will have to rise, the children will remember their names
You must. Do you hear me? You are right. It is you. You must. Now

Eyes. Eyes that you look into and do not look out of. You see
Everything happens like it did already and like it will when it does
You must. Do you hear me? You are right. It is you. You must. Now.
You were so fortunate to have benevolent spirituality around you

Everything happens like it did already and like it will when it does
Fear of the unknown turns out to be fear of the same old again and again
You were so fortunate to have benevolent spirituality around you
There are so many other kinds

Befriended chaos organizes itself into a path. There’s time.
There still is. And it terrifies you. Nameless in dark
Finally, out stepped a father
The children were named in honor of members of the family

Contributor Bio: Daniel Ryan
Reflective Piece: My First Pantoum

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