Wash of Cold River by Hilda Doolittle

The fact that Hilda Doolittle prefers to go by "H.D." made me skeptical. It turns out, however, that she is an expert poet. Her rhymes flow perfectly and her voice seems efffortless. She is a natural poet.

Morning at the Window by T.S. Eliot

This poem is about the peasant life during the early twentieth century. This is a powerful poem but must be read twice. It is short but compact, containing everything necessary and nothing more. I like Eliot's style.

A Soldier by Robert Frost

This poem was the only one I read twice. The first time I read too superficially and didn't grasp the story. Frost is using a lance as a metaphor for a fallen soldier. This poem is actually pretty powerful and I rate it a nine out of ten. The ending subtly implies the great power of God and I found that very interesting how well he put that in there.

(The Soldier) by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Gerard Manley Hopkins has a really cool middle name. But his poems are not that cool. I was hoping to read an inspiring poem about a soldier. Instead I got a whiney first stanza about how soldiers are overpraised and then become proud. This may have been true in his time (he wrote about 'redcoats') but is not true today. three out of ten.

Sea Calm by Langston Hughes

How still,
How strangely still
The water is today,
It is not good
For water
To be so still that way.


I was expecting Langston Hughes' poems to be about racism but I clicked on a random poem and this one came up. I like it. Its short and to the point. And it is confidently written.

Robin Hood by John Keats

This poem is about Robin Hood. It is too long, though. He could have shortened it and it would have been good. It tells the story well but the language is too complex. I rate it a four out of ten.

Solitude by Alexander Pope

This poem is about the peacefulness of being alone. I like this because I can relate to what he's saying. Some people look at being alone as sad but really it is very relaxing.