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.
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!
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?
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...
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Raven
According to today’s categorisation the poem written by Edgar Allan Poe entitled “The Raven” is a gothic novel. This poem is indeed more like a short story. Let’s dive into this dark poem where a raven has a conversation with a man, about his lost love.
Still I Rise
Whoever fights injustice and prejudice should take a look at Maya Angelou’s poem “Stil I rise.” In this poem, she showed us there is always something that needs to be fought for. This is one of her most popular poems.
Be the first!
You can be the first to benefit from our promotion! This concerns paid or free promotion for poets via the website and social media channels used by The Ministry of Poetic Affairs. What are you waiting for?
How can I get my work promoted?
With the reboot of The Ministry of Poetic Affairs, it’s again possible to have your work featured on the website. Some things have changed over the years. In this article, you will find the answer to the question “How can I get my work promoted?”
Design whatever you want
It’s not just a website, it’s a platform. Canva.com helps you with all your creative solutions or challenges. You can decide if you apply for a free or paid membership.
Images and photos without copyrights
The images and photos you find on Google aren’t free to use. Well, some of them are. There’s no way to tell if you can use the images for your work. In this article, you can find out what sources there are for images and photos without copyrights.
First they came for the Jews
When no one else can be prosecuted, who is left? Why didn’t he speak out before? Eventually, he did and he wrote a poem about it. This is “First they came for the Jews” by Martin Niemöller. There is a side note to this poem though.
Your lips, that I have kissed
This poem is inspired by horrific events. The poem that the Dutch historian, professor, writer and poet wrote in March 1943 was inspired by the arrest of his wife by the Germans. His wife would not live to see the and of the war. She died in the Sobibor death camp.
Lorelei
Many poets wrote about geographic locations. Christian Johann Heinrich Heine is no exception. He wrote a poem about rock Lorelei in Germany. His poem, “Lorelei” is all about this famous geographic location.
How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
There are so many ways to describe the feeling of love. What about the need to express how much ways there are to show your love? Or what about the need to know how to love the other one? This is what the poem Sonnet 43, also known as: “How do I love thee?” by Elizabeth Barret Browning is about.
Translations of Paul van Ostaijen’s work
As not everyone in this world can understand the Dutch language, it was a good idea to translate some of the work written by the Belgian poet Paul van Ostaijen. This makes the work of this abstract poet more accessible.
Desespoir
A poem written by Oscar Wilde.
I think of you
You probably have heard of the name Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Mostly just the last part of his name, Goethe. He was a German writer and statesman. He is also...
I Hear America Singing
Let’s not confuse the title of this poem with a political slogan, shall we? This is about the poem “I Hear America singing”, written by Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892). It’s an entirely different poem or title than the political slogan “Make America great again.” But, what is the poem of Whitman about?
On the longing of the wind
Is the poem written by Floris Brown a love poem or is it about music? You decide what to do with the poem “On the longing of the wind.”
La Beauté
Do words about beauty seem more intense, when they are written in the French language? It’s up to you, to decide this. For your convenience, the translated version of “La Beauté” is also included in this article.
