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Article: The money in poetry.
- Article from:
- Poetry
- Article date:
- November 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Modern Poetry Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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"The View from Here" is an occasional feature in which people from various fields comment on their experience of poetry. This is the fourth installment of the series.
I grew up in New York City during the Great Depression: widespread unemployment, shattered dreams, and the world lurching toward war and totalitarianism. But even during those terrible times there was one consolation--the public schools were excellent.
Even in the early grades we were asked to stand and recite. We memorized poems (mainly patriotic types) and "sawed the air" to the lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner" or the haunting notes of "Casabianca" by Felicia Dorothea Hemans. My own ...