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Fable for Blackboard

Here is the grackle, people.

Here is the fox, folks.

The grackle sits in the bracken. The fox

   hopes.

Here are the fronds, friends,

that cover the fox.

The fronds get in a frenzy. The grackle

   looks.

Here are the ticks, tykes,

that live in the leaves, loves.

The fox is confounded,

and God is above.

41,493

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4,155

poets

207

poetic terms

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Selected

Poems worth returning to

where the fish had withdrawn …

Kerri Sonnenberg

Meanwhile, meanwhile used to be my limp’s …

Rachel Wetzsteon

There are faces you own- …

William E. Stafford

They change from purple to brown …

John R. Carpenter

so thunders sea …

Russell Atkins

When she came to visit me, I turned my face to the wall— …

Carol Muske-Dukes

I . …

Shann Ray

House, as in abode, as in dwelling, as in crib, as in where your inhibitions go to rest. as in jack, loft, footwork. as in sweating out that press and curl. as in yo momma steppin out tonight. as in yo daddy put on his good shoes. as in this movement gradually getting Bigger Thomas. as in Pump Up the Volume. House as in bull pen. as in Detroit stay trying to claim our shit. as in we pledge allegiance to House Nation. as in The Warehouse. as in Professor Funk in full regalia. as in Chris Underwood on the 1s and 2s. as in The Chosen Few. as in Jackson Park. as in Black kids reading poems at The HotHouse. as in Hands Off Assata. as in shutdown. as in too many educated Black people downtown. as in “shiiid, we still got The Silver Room.” as in the Godfather himself teaching you how to pray with a beat. as in Rest in Rhythm Frankie Knuckles. as in a sea of Black bodies. as in Black bodies draped across poplar trees. …

Britteney Black Rose Kapri

The glossary

The language about poetry

From aubade to zuihitsu, 207 definitions of the forms, figures, and schools that shape the line.

Explore the glossary→
Accentual verseAccentual-syllabic verseAcmeismAlcaicAlexandrineAmbiguity