My Poetry Anthology

Welcome to MY FAVORITE POEMS ANTHOLOGY.

In choosing my favorite poems, I had much to choose from.  It was difficult to narrow it down to my favorites as I have so many.  I have divided my poems up into sections of stages of my life.  I have given a highlight below as to what you may expect to find.

MY FAVORITE CHILDHOOD POEMS:
   
1.  TREES  -  By Joyce Kilmer:  -    If I had to choose one favorite poem, this would probably be it. It is to me, the most beautiful poem in the world. My Mother introduced this poem to me when I was a child. It is one that has stayed with me for a lot of years and will always be one of my very favorites.

2.   MY SHADOW -  By Robert Louis Stevenson:  -    I love the style of this author and consider him one of the best.  This is a simple little poem that was written for the carefree days of childhood, and what child hasn't played games with his shadow?  I know I did!

3.   THE SWING  -  By Robert Louis Stevenson: -   This is another poem from my carefree childhood.  Daddy built us a swing in the back yard and I spent many happy hours there, seeing how high I could go and just knowing that if I kept "pumping" a little harder that I would be able to see over our house to my girlfriend's house across the street. What a simply wonderful childhood memory.

4.   THE ARROW AND THE SONG:  -  By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  -  Yet another favorite of my childhood. I passed these poem on to my children and grandchildren and now to my great grandchildren. I hope they bring them as much pleasure as they have brought me

 ALWAYS WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS POEMS

5.    TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - By Clement C. Moore  -  What child or adult does not love this poem.  As a child we always gathered on Christmas Eve and read this poem and shared hot chocolate and cookies (always leaving a generous portion on the table for Santa). After all these years, it is still a family tradition and one of the most wonderful poems ever written.

6.   CHRISTMAS BELLS  -  By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  -  Who could ever have Christmas without hearing the Christmas Bells pealing their glorious message of  Peace on Earth--Good will to Men.

TIME GOES ON AND ON

7.    IT CAN BE DONE  -  Author Unknown  -  I found this poem in an old book that my Mother used to own. I loved it right from the first reading.  How sad that so many people go through life with the attitude of "It can't be done."  This poem takes the opposite approach and is refreshing in it's truths.

8    DON'T QUIT!  -  Author Unknown  -  Whomever wrote this poem has the keys to success.  I love it because it is so uplifting and encouraging.

9.    THE RAVEN  -  By Edgar Allan Poe  -   I think everyone in my family loves this poem.  I like the way the words are arranged, the way they flow, and the way Mr. Poe forms such a clear and interesting word picture for us to enjoy...."quoth the raven...nevermore."

THE OLDER YEARS

10.   ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD  -  By John Ronald Reuel Tolkien  -  I kind of look at this poem as things I have learned over the years. As you get older, you look back on things and sometimes laugh and sometimes cry. I like to look at it as saying to the younger generation - "Hey, it just keeps getting better!"

11.    SISTERS - By Irving Berlin  - This was originally written as a song, but now is often used as a poem also.  I adore the lyrics.  I have two sisters that are close to me in age as well as being best friends.  We have been singing this for many years now and I would be remiss to not include it as one of my favorites.  Sharon and Donna...this one is for you.

12.    THE TWENTY THIRD PSALM  -  From the Bible, The Book of Psalms - I memorized this as a young girl and it has been my partner through good time, sad times and bad times. It is my lantern when times are dark, my reminder not to worry, my strength, my support and a constant comfort to my heart. We all have our favorite poems and I am happy to share mine with you.