Stuck while writing poetry
There comes a moment when you – the writer, the poet – will get to a point when you are stuck. Stuck while writing poetry is something that is not...
Farewell
Unlike many other Dutch poets, there is no online information available in English about the poet Adriaan Morriën. Together with the translation of his poem “Afscheid” (“Farewell”), it’s time to tell more about this poet.
The world
A combination of contradictions forms the basis of the poem “The world” by Christina Rossetti (1830 – 1894). He message is simple: in this world, there is good and bad.
Sail on, Sail on
Don't confuse one Thomas with the other one. Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852) the writer, poet and singer was (of course) not the same person as Sir Thomas More (1478...
Denise Levertov’s secret
Denise Levertov (1923 – 1997) left us with some interesting and beautiful poems. Denise Levertov’s secret, what’s it all about? Is it about the discoveries in life? The mysteries of life? More importantly, is it possible to discover something important when reading poetry?
For tomorrow
“Voor de dag van morgen” is one of the many poems written by the Dutch poet Hans Andreus. This poem translates as “For tomorrow.” This poem is perfection in its simplicity!
Her life is a mystery, but her poems are not
Although there is little information about the life of Sappho, we still can read her poems. These poems are translated. The poem in this article, “A girl” was translated by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. It’s safe to conclude that her life is a mystery, but her poems are not.
Poem 54 – “I went to heaven”
What heaven could be like. Who’s never thought about that? Emily Dickinson did! She wrote the poem we know as Poem 54 and/or “I went to heaven.”
Bombs
The Dutch poet Paul Rodenko was an important Dutch poet, writer and more. The inspiration for many of his poems – just like the translated poem “Bommen” (“Bombs”) – came...
You see, I love you
Herman Gorter (1864 – 1927) is one of the most important Dutch poets of the nineteenth century. This is the translation of the poem “Zie je ik hou van je” (“You see, I love you”).
The Haunted Place
It is a good tradition during Halloween to do something with that which is 'scary'. That can be done very well with Edgar Allan Poe's poem "A Haunted Place". (more…)
Poem 657 – “I dwell in Possibility”
Is Poem 657 – “I dwell in Possibility” a matter of ‘more than meets the eye?’ This poem by Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886) may seem as if it’s about death or the after life. But take a closer look!
There are no rules in art, according to Maxine Marie
It’s somewhat hard not to ask yourself what she does. Is she a poet, is she a musician or perhaps a writer. It’s time to introduce Maxine Marie. There are no rules in art, according to Maxine.
The Blossom
Do not confuse William Blake’s poem (1757-1827) with the poem taken from William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” Yet there are many similarities between both poems.
She also wrote poetry herself
Sometimes the one who inspires you can do the same as you do. In this case, Honoré de Balzac’s inspiration was also active as a poet himself. Marceline Desbordes-Valmore was a creditable poet who left the world many beautiful (French) poems. She also wrote poetry herself, something that must not be forgotten.
Dream Deferred
Originally Langston Hughes (1901 – 1967) named his poem “Harlem.” He would later change the name to “Dream deferred.” A poem in which procrastination seems to be central. But how do you postpone dreams?
Poem 280 – “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain”
There is a good chance that the 280th poem by Emily Dickinson is the first work you read. For many of us, this poem is the introduction to Emily Dickinson. There is a good reason for this because the poem is often quoted and recited. People consider this as a scary kind of poem.
Elizabeth Bishop’s Map
The poem “The map” is part of Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry collection “North and South.” Let’s take a moment to analyse this poem written by Bishop. In other words: Elizabeth Bishop’s Map.
Slavery
The law to abolish slavery was passed the same year she passed away. She was Hannah More, the religious poet and philanthropist who wrote an indictment against slavery. Has this poem been overtaken by history?
(Allerliefste, ek stuur vir jou ‘n) Rooiborsduif
When Breyten Breytenbach's poem first appeared on the website in October 2016, this article grew into one of the most read articles on the website. After the introduction of the...
Sonnet 39 – Come Sleep! O Sleep
It’s one of the 108 sonnets that Philip Sidney (1554 – 1586) wrote during his life. The poem is known as “Come Sleep! O Sleep” or (just) “Sleep.” That is because this poem is officially entitled Sonnet 39. This sonnet is about the effect sleep has on men. This poem is part of another story: the story of Astrophil (star-lover) and Stella (star).
The Blossom
For some people, this is a terrible poem. The poem “The Blossom” is not everyone’s favourite poem by William Shakespeare. Is it that bad? Time to take a closer look...
Preludes
The poem “Preludes” by T.S. Eliot (1888 – 1965) is one of the most prominent poems written by this American-British poet, playwright, cultural philosopher and critic. In this poem, written in an impressionistic style, he shares his thoughts about spirituality set in the modern city.
I am not yours
In her poem “I am not yours” Sara Teasdale dives into love. Her poem speaks about what she is not, but one can’t help to think: was this really what she wanted?
Before the World Was Made
How does a beautiful woman respond to her jealous lover? Read the poem “Before the World Was Made” by William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939) and you will have all the answers!
The Garden
In her poem “The Garden” Hilda Doolittle (H.D.) writes about the wish to be as strong as the rose she sees in her garden. This poem was rediscovered during the Seventies by feminist and LGBTQ-movements. It’s a classic example of Imagism. A classic H.D. poem!
The nymph’s reply to the shepherd
The life of Sir Walter Raleigh (1554 – 1618) shows that you can combine exploration with writing (poetry). Raleigh was the one who was in charge of the colonisation of...
Sonnet 30
“Sonnet 30” written by Edmund Spenser (1552 – 1599) is often titled “Fire and Ice” or “My love is like to ice.” What were the thoughts of Spenser behind this poem?
Dream land
The contrast in the works of Christina Rossetti is impressive. At one side there are the more sexual oriented poems and on the other side there are poems such as “Dream land.” A romantic, devotional poem.
The hours rise
Dreaming is a state of mind when you can truly be free. This is what “The hours rise” by E.E. Cummings is all about. This poem is also known as “The hours rise up” or “Sonnet IX” (the official title). It was written in 1922.
A daughter of Eve
“A daughter of Eve” was written by Christina Rosetti. She wrote this poem when she volunteered at a charity house. Who is the woman, this daughter of Eve, who Rossetti refers to?
On being brought from AFRICA to AMERICA
A life-changing event can lead to a poem such as the one written by Phillis Wheatley (1753 – 1784). At a very young age, she was sold as a slave. With a ship, she sailed from Africa to America and was bought by a wealthy family from Boston. In her poem “On Being Brought From Africa To America,” she writes about her journey to another world. But in a way, this poem is a paradox. What makes part of this poem produce a bitter aftertaste?
I’ve a pain in my head
Jane Austen has a certain mythical status. Her six novels are in the lists of most read books across the globe. She also wrote poetry and that too deserves to get the same attention. In the poem “I’ve a pain in my head” it seems that she is into medicine for headaches.
A Child said , What is the grass?
When you read the poem “A Child said, What is the grass?” you may not realise this, but it’s a reflection about a changing world. A world that was more than green fields of grass. Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892) wrote the poem as if he was describing the thoughts of a child.
Divinely superfluous beauty
It’s needless to say that the inspiration for the poem “Divinely superfluous beauty” by John Robinson Jeffers might have come from the countryside he lived in. The countryside in Carmel-at-Sea was a great inspiration for Jeffers to write about. There is more to his beauty he describes. What is real beauty?
A Thought of the Nile
There are a few rivers in the world that inspire people to write about. The river Nile is one of these rivers. It’s not that strange, since you consider that this is the world’s longest river. The river inspired James Leigh Hunt to write a poem about this river: “A Thought of the Nile.”
About nightmares
Nightmares and poetry. They are a good combination. What better way to write about your fears in a nightmare scenario? Many poets have shared their deepest fears, their nightmares in...
Beer Street and Gin Lane
Did you know two famous engravings of the eighteenth century come with poems? These two artistic creations by William Hogarth would eventually lead to the Gin Act of 1751. Let’s take a moment to talk about “Beer Street” and “Gin Lane.”
She walks in beauty
There are many ways to describe true love or the things about this love that makes you want to fly. Lord Byron (1788-1824) did it like no other in the poem “She walks in beauty.”
Time for a reboot
It’s time for a reboot! The Ministry of Poetic Affairs was having a break from the internet for more than two years. The project was relaunched.
Buffer or Later?
When you’re the proud owner of a website, you don’t want any hassle when it comes to posting to social media. There are many solutions to post from your website to social media, but most of them are too limited to use the free versions. Buffer and Later are solutions that let you do more, but which one is the best? Buffer or Later?
Sonnet 65
In “Sonnet 65” William Shakespeare doesn’t only bring forward the way someone can express love. It also brings forward the love towards a young man. The sexuality of Shakespeare has always been a subject of recurring debate. A poem like “Sonnet 65” is a piece of evidence, some say, about Shakespeare’s sexual orientation.
Jabberwocky
“Jabberwocky” is a nonsense poem written by Lewis Caroll (1832 – 1898). This poem was included in the book “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.” The poem is one of the nonsense poems ever written.
My Shadow
It can happen: someone is more famous forever written word except poetry. This is true when it concerns the literary works of Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 – 1894). He is mostly remembered for his books “Treasure Island”and “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.” But he also wrote some beautiful poems, such as “My shadow.”
A hymn to the morning
She was considered to be one of a kind, during the time she lived. She was able to write and publish in a time when women weren’t supposed to do so. She was the first African-American poetess whose work got published. This is the poem “An hymn to the morning” by Phillis Wheatley.
Mont Ventoux
From time to time, The Ministry of Poetic Affairs translates some Dutch poems into English and analyses these poems. This isn’t any different with the poem by Jan Kal (born 1946) entitled “Mont Ventoux.” This mountain is related to a sporting event that is known all over the world.
The Cold Heaven
Some poems start with an introduction, while others suddenly start. The poem written by William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939) is such a poem. This is his poem entitled “The...
Stanzas for music
Music is of all ages. It’s true, music did change since the moment Lord Byron wrote down his poem “Stanzas for music”, during the Romantic Era. Stanzas for music doesn’t seem to handle music, find out why.
Song lyrics: “Time in a bottle”
Song texts as poetry. It’s possible. Rhyming is poetry (not always necessary). The words of the song by Jim Croce are so beautiful. They can pass off as poetry! The lyrics of your favourite song can be considered as poetry as well. Here’s just an example of a song, that shows us how beautiful words are.
The House Was Just Twinkling In The Moon Light
The poem “The House Was Just Twinkling In The Moon Light” is a perfect example of Modernism, written by Gertrude Stein (1874 – 1946). This poem may well be written about any house in the French countryside. The other option that it is about the house she grew up in Pennsylvania.
