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Brianna Carle
Venturing into the Mind of a Poet: Poetry Analysis of the 1930’s Final Project
Take a minute to ponder over the life of someone stumbling through the Great
Depression. Life was never easy for most people. The decade of the 1930’s is a decade full of a
great deal of a changing lifestyle. For many, times were nearly unbearable. How, then, did
people make it through? The answer varies for each individual, but some commonalities
included, family, faith, films, fantasy, new technology and literature. Analyzing three great poets
of the time, one can really feel the struggles people were experiencing. These poets were real;
they told it the way it was. They had no need to cover poor conditions up. Robert Frost, Langston
Hughes, and William Carlos Williams are three contributors to great poetry of the 1930’s.
Looking deep into a few of each of their poems, one can hopefully gather a better sense of their
particular observations of this time period. Following the analysis, will then come an explanation
of unpublished, personal works of poetry that have been written with the intention of coming
from a lay person from the 1930’s, who sat down to write about what he or she may have been
going through. These poems are not authentic in the sense that they came directly from the Great
Depression; instead, they are works of poetry written in 2011 and inspired by the 1930’s.
First, taking a look into Robert Frost’s works of poetry of the 1930’s, his works are quite
unique. In reading Frost’s poetry, one can easily note that he had a great love and connection
with nature. Many times his poems are focused around the land and used in such a way that the
reader can really feel the connection and point he was trying to make. An example of this is the
poem titled “Leaves Compared with Flowers.” The title alone indicates his style of using natural
elements in his poetry. “Leaves Compared with Flowers” consists of a total of 5 full stanzas.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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Analyzing each one by one will first give a better understanding of the content of the poem. Then
discussing it as a whole will then zone in on the key points of the poem. In the first stanza, Frost
takes a tree and uses it to symbolize a human being. In reading this first stanza, Frost is basically
explaining that a person can be naturally good, but unless he or she are born with the means of
wealth and connections, he or she may never show it in an aesthetic and outward way. He
explains that a person needs to be brought up with good nutrients to blossom into a good person,
just as a tree needs the right nutrients in order to flower and flourish (Frost 387).
Continuing the poem and looking into the second stanza, Frost turns the focus onto
himself by saying “But I may be one who does not care Ever to have tree bloom or bear” (387).
At this point, Frost tells his readers that he does not care about the fluffy rich elements in life just
to show his goodness. Finishing the stanza he concludes to the point that who you are is good
enough. He wants people to expose their true colors; good qualities and bad. He says that just by
being your natural self should be enough. Frost embellishes on his above point by explaining that
some really great people have little to show for (387). They may not have money or expensive
items to be able to flaunt their success, but that does not mean that these people are not worth
knowing.
Nearing the end of Frosts poem, in stanza four he decides to ask a couple questions for
the reader to reflect upon. He asks people which they think is better; being your raw self, or
showing off your wealth? He concludes this stanza by explaining the notion he feels is the
answer people would give. He explains that people want others to give them the pretty and
expensive items that they want so they can look good and important, and then only strip that
away at night when there is nobody important around to impress (387).
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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After saying all that he has in the first four stanzas of this poem, Robert Frost finishes up
his point in the final stanza. What he is saying in this last part really brings out his over-all point.
He says to go to the poorer parts of town and get to know those who have nothing to hide (387).
He uses himself as an example and says that he once sought riches and yearned to please people
and be liked, but then he says to now go back and be your natural, maybe unappealing self.
After looking at the poem in such a broken up manner, one might wonder what Frost was
really trying to say in his poem as a whole. He shows his metaphor of a tree symbolizing a
person, and he wants people to take a look at themselves. At the time, people were so ashamed to
admit failure. After having such a glamorous life in the 1920’s, people began to lose who they
really were, and Frost is trying to get his readers to reflect back on that. In the end, it does not
matter what quality someone might assess your possessions to be, but what is really important is
quality or yourself; your true goodness, and who you are as an individual.
Unlike the metaphor used in “Leaves Compared with Flowers,” Frost writes his next
poem in a more straight forward manner. References to his connection with nature are found
throughout this next poem as he addresses his critiques. The poem is titled “Not Quite Social”
and is Frost speaking of himself. In stanza one Frost basically admits that some people will
accept him for who he is, while others may not like him very much. There is nothing really
wrong with him, he is just unexpected, and some people do not always care for that (403).
He goes on to say in stanza two that it is wrong to condemn him so harshly just because
he makes a point. He says, a city cannot control a person and keep them satisfied and content any
more than a city can keep the people in by making the walls taller than the roofs. He uses
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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adjectives such as “overcruelly” (403) and “gentle” (403), and compares the way people judge
him to the way he goes about reasoning with people.
Following this stanza Frost takes a stronger stand in addressing those who criticize him
by explaining that one cannot blame him for choosing nature over industry. He has freedom as
he is faithful to Mother Nature. He understands that one may not understand him, but he feels he
never rebelled.
He concludes his statement in his final stanza: stanza 4. This is where his poem really
digs deep. Frost tells his critics that if they do not care for him, that is fine. He goes forth in
challenging them by telling them to have him killed, but then he adds let him be killed only
through natural causes. He ends his poem with “And pay a death-tax of fairly polite repentance”
(403). This is his way of saying, if he must die, let it be done without the corruption of manmade
products, and he will use his last breathes of air to repent as he dies (403).
Over all, this poem has a strong message. This is Frost’s way of telling the world that he
is comfortable with whom he is and he is not going to change his ways to please others. He loves
the earth and he loves nature, and he will not conform to an urban society just because people
think he should. He really expresses his sincerity by saying that if it came down to it he would
rather die than to change what he believes in. This poem gives the reader a greater respect for
Frost as he shows admirable qualities in staying true to himself. This is the view a lot of the
farmers at the time were trying to get through to people who wanted to industrialize everything.
The next poem consists of a collection of ten very short poems. These poems really get
into the conditions of the Great Depression. The collection is called “Ten Mills.” A short
explanation goes to each of these short pieces and then an analysis on them as a whole. The first
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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one is titled “Precaution.” Although short and comprised of only two lines, the poem still gets a
strong point across. The poem basically explains how the “I” in the poem was always afraid to be
radical because he did not want to become a conservative (407).
The second piece to “Ten Mills” is titled “The Span of Life.” Also only two lines, Frost
uses a dog to symbolize a person. The poem talks about a tired old dog that used to be young and
energetic. This symbolizes old age, and reminds the reader that people all start out young and
just because they are not able to do what they used to, does not mean that they should be ignored
(407).
Moving up in size, the third piece, “The Wrights’ Biplane” is twice the size of the
previous two, making this one a total of four whole lines. Air planes were becoming very popular
at this point in history. Frost shows peoples enthusiasm towards this in this short poem. He
explains how people are now able to fly in the air, and is sure to give thanks to the Wright
Brothers for making it possible (407).
The next piece of “Ten Mills” changes the tone from happy, in the piece before it, to
serious. This one is almost a warning sign to people. It is called “Evil Tendencies Cancel.” Frost
explains to his readers that the plants are suffering and yet they are still striving to grow and
survive. He says that the farmers do not think they will die unless something else comes along to
kill it. This six line poem has double meaning. In the literal sense, it is addressing the Dust Bowl
and the elimination of all of the crops. In the second sense, it symbolizes humanity. The people
are like the plants and they are all suffering. Those in charge of the government and businesses
are supposed to take care of these people, but they do not seem to take conditions too seriously.
The only way the people are really going to die is if someone deliberately kills them. Robert
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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Frost is trying to get through to people that everyone is doing the best that they can to survive,
but they need help (407).
Connecting with “Evil Tendencies Cancel,” “Pertinax” follows up with predicting the
future of what may be inevitable. This short poem explains that people are going to riot, it is
brewing. In by just giving it time, it will happen, but just as it will come, it will get better and
conditions will clear up like a terrible storm (407).
“Waspish” is one of the longer pieces in the collection of ten poems. It talks about how
life is a difficult struggle, but people can make the best of it (408). One may be poor, worn and
tattered, but that is just his or her appearance. It encourages the reader to keep his or her head up,
stay strong, because everyone is of value and the reader is nothing less than the next person. This
poem gives those who are feeling poorly of themselves hope, confidence, encouragement and a
sense of realization that many people are living in very similar conditions.
The next short poem is titled “One Guess.” In this three line piece, Frost describes what
sounds to be some form of insect. He wants his reader to ponder and try to figure out what it is
that he is describing. From the description the insect dwells near dusty places, contains attractive
qualities like legs that can make song, and fan like wings, the creature sounds to be some form of
cricket or grasshopper. Then he mentions how instead of biting or stinging, the insect spews dye
out of its mouth as its form of self-defense (408). It is possible that after much thought and
contemplation, Frost wanted his readers to think about their own personal lives. People can be
deceiving. They can live on the streets and in shady places. People can give off the sense of
beauty and innocence to real one in, but when someone gets too close, the persons guard goes up.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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People spit words of hatred and fire out at other people and instead of being violent with their
hands, people can be just as effective by what they say.
The next piece describes a career that can be a great challenge. The title itself almost
explains it all; “The Hardship of Accounting.” The point of the poem is recognizing the fact that
people at the time do not have much money and they felt as if they should not have to watch and
keep track of what he or she does with all of his or her money (408). However, that is the
accountant’s job; to keep track of all the expenses. It becomes aggravating as an accountant
when dealing with such instability and lack of organization.
“Not All There” is the ninth part to the “Ten Mills.” Second to the last, “Not All There”
is comprised of two stanzas within it. These are short simple stanzas; however, that can easily be
combined and described as a whole. The main idea of this piece is that it explains the poor
conditions of everything. It seems as if God is nowhere to be found. Then it turns and says that
God looks to see that nobody is even half all there. This shows that the people expect God to
make everything better, but they do not want to do their part in being there for God (408).
The final part of “Ten Mills” is broken up into three very short stanzas. This final piece is
titled “In Dives’ Dive.” This explains that even as conditions are poor, one should not complain,
but just keep doing his or her best. An individual will be fine as long as the government keeps
the peoples freedoms and rights. It does not matter who runs a place, there are many options.
This is symbolic for the government. Frost goes as far as saying it is a dive, and it is plummeting,
but just like a little diner, when put in the right hands it can rise again and become a success
(409).
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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After going through each of the ten parts to “Ten Mills,” one will notice some common
themes. The poems are about the hardships and struggles people were going through during the
Great Depression. Robert Frost is speaking the minds of thousands of people and he is also
speaking to them. He is looking at the situation as a whole and offers advice and encouragement
to those who are distraught.
One last poem was examined from Frost which is named “To A Thinker.” This poem is
like many of Frost’s other poems in the fact that it is not broken up by stanzas. Instead, this poem
is one long continuous stanza all throughout. When finally reaching the end of this poem, the
reader has a full understanding of Frost’s point without thinking about points he makes in
different parts of the poem. “To A Thinker” evolves through a thought process, almost as if Frost
were speaking of himself and how his mind works. The poem explains how thoughts and
opinions seem to go in cycles. The mind starts off with one thought and as it evolves to another,
it eventually evolves back to its original. Frost tells his readers to just go with and trust your
instincts. Do not hurt your brain trying to make sense or agree with others, but if it is how you
feel and what you think, do not try to convince yourself otherwise because you cannot. Frost
concludes that eventually you will find yourself back to where you started anyway; putting up a
fight with your inner self is worthless because who you are will always win in the end (431-432).
Even though Robert Frost is a well-known poet, unique with his own style, he was not the
only prominent poet during this time period. Another one is Langston Hughes. Hughes has a
different style than Frost. He is more up front and tells it the way it his. Hughes does not cover
his point up with metaphors and instead of focusing on nature and a person’s individuality, he is
raw and to the point. He does use symbolism, as most poets do, but Hughes tends to focus on the
pain of the people suffering in the Great Depression.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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The poem “Christ in Alabama” is one good example of how Langston Hughes explains
the pain in the 1930’s. This poem compares an African American to Jesus. This poem, even
though, four stanzas, stands stronger when it is looked at as its whole. The power behind this
poem is incredible. It speaks of the innocent blacks and how they feel the pain Jesus went
through. Their Mother’s feel the pain similar to Mary’s when she watched her only son be so
brutally punished without having any fault. Their Masters are like the soldiers and Pilot who
condemned Jesus. They torture these black boys as if it were their fate to be treated so brutally.
They experience no mercy and only the worst imaginable death awaits them (143).
Langston Hughes covers many difficult situations people were going through in his poem
titled “Advertisement for the Waldorf-Astoria.” This is a very lengthy poem of his, but it really
shows how the people felt compared to the wealthy. The poem is about a hotel, a haven for these
people to go, but all through, the reader finds this ‘advertisement’ is nothing but a big mockery.
The first section is aimed towards the homeless. It talks about expensive luxuries wealthy people
have within their home. They are mocking the homeless for not having a home or enough food to
eat and flaunting their goods in the faces of those who have to do without (143-144).
The next section of the poem is directed towards those who work hard and still suffer.
These people work long hard hours and never see a reward. Instead, their work only ever benefits
the wealthy. And as they do all that they can to survive and make the wealthy peoples’ lives
easier, they are ignored, unacknowledged and looked down upon. The wealthy see these people
as nothing of any greater worth (144).
The third part is one that is terribly sorrowful. This section addresses families that have
lost their home. The man is unemployed and has no home for his family because he has no
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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money. The ‘advertisement’ mocks the family’s desire to be able to afford a decent home (144145).
The section following that is one geared towards the African-Americans. This part mocks
the blacks for the mere fact that they are black. It mocks their culture, their values, and their
chosen ways of life. Then it points finger at the life society has forced them to live (145).
Another section is for “Everybody” (145). This part basically explains how there is
nowhere for people in these conditions to go. There seems to be no place for refuge. It puts focus
towards Jesus and accuses him for their living conditions.
Finally, the last section is titled “Christmas Card” (146), but this is no happy ending. It
speaks of how the people are in need of a savior (146). People are becoming desperate and they
have to resort in sinful acts. They need to survive and they have nowhere to turn to that is good
or nice. These people feel as if there is no one around to actually offer help.
Ending the analysis of the poems of Hughes is on one where Langston Hughes touches a
key issue during the Great Depression: “Good Morning Revolution.” Here, in this poem he
personifies Revolution because a Revolution seems to be the best idea at the time. He talks about
how Revolution intimidates the rich because it could put them in danger. Revolution can give the
poor what they want, what they need and what they demand. Then Hughes moves on to say a
revolt will also benefit the working people. These people are working hard but they see such
little reward. He also makes sure to mention that these working people are suffering all over the
world, not just in the United States. Hughes believes that by revolting, that will change for them
as well. He concludes with Revolution is the answer. It will solve every ones problems and then
everyone will be happy (162-163).
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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William Carlos Williams is another great poet from the 1930’s. He is a good in between
poet of Frost and Hughes’ different styles. Williams, naturally has a unique style of his own, but
he tends to form a nice bridge from Frost to Hughes. Williams poetry is flowing and artful
similar to Robert Frost. However, he focuses on raw upfront issues of the suffering of the Great
Depression the way Langston Hughes had. In analyzing these three poems, it is probably best to
describe each stanza and then the poem as a whole, the way it was done with most of Frost’s
poems.
The first analyzed poem of William Carlos Williams is called “The Sun Bathers.” The
title at first glance can be a little misleading of what the poem consists of. The first stanza is all it
takes to set the mind on the right track. It speaks of a prostitute. She is sitting outside in the cold.
This stanza gives the effect and the raw image of the intended point (371). There is no hidden
imagery in this stanza that could complicate its meaning.
The next stanza is about a young man who is clearly in discomfort. It speaks of him
wearing an old army coat, but the poem is unclear of whose coat it is. It is possible that the coat
belongs to the man. World War I ended fifteen years prior to the year the poem indicates. If the
man was eight near the end of the war he would be in his thirties. That can be considered young
in today’s day in age. This then means that the coat was probably once his Fathers or he may
have got it off of the street. None the less, the mentioning of the army coat reminds the reader of
the war and of those who fought in the war. The army Vets were suffering a great deal right
along with everyone else during the Great Depression (371). They were no exception. This part
of the poem also explains the young mans’ discomfort as he is dirty and itchy, indicating that he
is living under poor conditions as well.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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The last stanza is one that would really cause emotions to the reader. It describes a well
fed African-American woman bored with her happy, easy going life (371). She looks outside and
considers the weather to be nice, but she is not out there living in it.
Looking at the poem as a whole, and considering the racism that was so prevalent in
1933, the reader was probably outraged. Young men and women were out living on the streets in
the cold November air, fighting to survive, while a black woman had a house and food. People
felt better than the blacks, believed that they should have to suffer in the cold before white
people should. The title “The Sun Bathers” indicates that the sun bathers were not people outside
to purposely tan their skin, but they were outside because they had nowhere else to go.
William Carlos Williams really hits home with this next poem, “This Is Just To Say.” It is
comprised of three short stanzas that can be summarized together pretty simply to experience the
full impact of the poem. The narrator explains his remorse as he admits that he had eaten the
plums he found in the icebox. He feels bad because he knows they were being saved for
breakfast the next day. He ate the family’s next meal. He tries to explain that he could not help
himself, though because he was so hungry. The family clearly did not have enough money to
feed the family well. They did what they could. The narrator knew what his eating the food
meant and he felt awful about it, even though he enjoyed the plums very much. He mentions how
delicious they tasted, but also how sorry he was (372).
Another poem of Williams that can be explained better as a whole than by each stanza at
a time is “Proletarian Portrait.” This poem paints a picture in the readers mind, just like its title.
The poem explains the image of a big young woman standing outside without anything on her
head and she is wearing an apron. This shows that she does not have much to keep her warm and
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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that she works either as a maid, a cook or in her house. The poem describes her hair pulled back
tight and neat so it does not get in her way. As she is standing on the street she only has one shoe
on. Her shoeless foot is on the street while the shoe is held up to her face. She peers inside the
shoe and pulls out a paper insole. The fact that the insole is paper gives another indication that
she is poor. As she looks at the insole, she pulls a nail out of it. The poem concludes with the
explanation that the nail was poking at her foot causing it to hurt (384-385). This poem really
shows the conditions people lived in. To walk around with paper as the sole of a shoe is terrible.
Williams has a way in writing short poems that truly capture the heart of the reader.
The final poem of William Carlos Williams is the longest one to be analyzed yet; beating
“Ten Mills” by two stanzas. “The Catholic Bells” has an interesting message. It is one that may
not always be heard due to stubborn hearts. Stanza one explains that the narrator is not Catholic.
He makes that very clear to the readers, right in the very first line. He then goes on to say that he
listens hard to the chiming of the church bells high up in the sturdy brick tower (397).
The narrator moves on to explain the effectiveness of the sound of the Catholic Bells. The
sound is heard loud enough to make the leaves fall from the trees and bring in the frost and let it
form on the fallen leaves. The power of the bells kills the flowers and sends the birds flying
south. The bells are so strong it is almost like they can control the seasons (397).
Continuing with the fleeting birds, they fly south as the sky turns black. The bells then
are heard enough that a family brings a baby to the church to get baptized (397). This shows how
the bells can drive out the evil and bring in new life.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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The fourth stanza speaks of the newly baptized baby and a parrot. The parrot is hiding
under the hood and is jealous of the baby. The bells are so strong that they even draw in animals
in wanting to join the church (397).
The fifth stanza moves from babies and new life to the contrary. This stanza explains the
bells effect on the elderly. As they ring on Sunday, all the old people come into the church. The
narrator wants the bells to be heard (397).
Next the ringing is heard over a painting of a young priest that is in the church and
attempting to bring people into a prayer service that took place the prior week. The service was
to St. Anthony who is the saint for lost items (397). It is possible that was the church had lost and
was looking for was new members of the church.
The bells then ring for the average man dressed in black and is wearing a Derby. Trying
to make it to mas on time, the man rushes as hears the sound of the chiming church bells (397).
The eight stanza mentions grapes that are still hanging on, even though they are rotting
and old. Times are tough but the church lives on (397-398). The grapes represent the wine
offered at mass. The church is doing what it can to keep the faith going.
Next the bells are chiming to be heard by the people (398). This is in the hope that the
people will hear the bells and become inspired. The sound of church bells may cause people to
think of the less fortunate and want to go out and do good deeds for others by offering service
and working with their own bare hands.
Then the bells in stanza ten are chiming in the hope that the children will hear them. So
many mothers have given up the faith at this time, and the children are not being taught morals
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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(398). Maybe if the children hear the beauty of the church bells they will be curious and find the
faith on their own.
The eleventh stanza is for the bells to be heard by those who speak ill of others. The
tongue can be a vicious thing, but it can be used for good too. Let the bells be heard for all those
gossipers and maybe they will change their ways when they hear the glorious chimes (398).
Finally they should just ring. The narrator wants them to ring all they can for as long as
they can ring. He hopes that this way maybe they will be heard and will begin to make a great
difference by opening up the blind eyes of others (398).
This poem is powerful in the sense that it speaks of the power of faith. It recognizes all of
the faults in the world, and even though the narrator is not Catholic, he notices there is something
incredible about the Catholic Church. It is powerful in getting its message through and changing
the ways of the people. He heard the beauty of the Catholic Bells and all the good things the
church has to offer and he wants to spread the word. He wants people to take the chance and
reflect upon themselves and think about all the good they can do to make life easier.
After a thorough examination of these three poets and these select poems in particular,
personal works of poetry had been written. There are three of these poems, some, much shorter
than others. These poems are written to capture the heart of the reader. Each poem focuses on a
different situation and different feelings one may have been going through during the time of the
Great Depression. Each of these poems will be analyzed and the initial intention will be
explained straight from the author. Although, keeping in mind too, that a poem has its own
significance in every ones heart in a slightly different way. One person’s interpretation may be
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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different from the next because that person will be thinking and relating the words of the poem to
what he or she already knows and feels about the situation described in the poem.
The first poem, titled “Together We Stand…Alone,” explains how everyone is struggling
at the time. Loved ones become ill and the there is no means to get the care that is needed to
become well again. This poem is about an exhausted Mother who is sitting, trying desperately to
find a way to save her child. She thinks about other people in the world and wonders if there is
anyone experiencing the same challenges that she is. Her child is ill and she has very little money
and resources in the house. She was trying old medicinal recipes, but the child needs something
stronger. The Mother weeps as she struggles with her reality and thinks about how everyone is
connected when it comes down to heartache. Everyone experiences it and sometimes there is
nothing that can be done to heal it.
The next poem, being only three lines, is very short and to the point. The title is “The
Elegant Dream.” This poem paints the picture of a woman sitting down and daydreaming about a
fantasy life she dreams of having. The movies make the life of the wealthy seem so wonderful
and glamorous. The reader realizes that this family is poor, average and may never experience
such a lifestyle, as she is stitching a tear in her husband’s clothes because hard labor puts strain
of fabric and as it wears away, they cannot afford to pay for a replacement.
The final poem is the longest. The title was pondered over two possibilities; one is more
straight-forward than the other, while the other is more harsh. The two inner changeable titles of
the same poem are “Our Gift from Hell” and “Our Baby.” This poem is the thoughts that are
rushing through a young woman’s head when she realizes she is with child. She struggles all
through this poem striving to come up with the best solution. She wants to have the baby. She is
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
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married and happy and loves the child she and her husband had conceived. However, she fears
she has little means to care for the child. She and her husband are barely surviving and adding
another life can be so overbearing. She has morals and struggles with the idea of abortion. She
considers selling her wedding band to have more money. In the end, the woman finds herself
without a solution. She wants to a Mother to her child, but she just does not see how it can be
possible in the living conditions that she and her husband are in.
The 1930’s was without a doubt a time of pain, struggle and heartache. The words of a
poet can be very powerful. With the great poets the world had once known, the feelings of the
past can live on through their masterpieces. Robert Frost, Langston Hughes and William Carlos
Williams were three wonderful poets who captured the hearts of so many people. Their poems
bring out the emotions of their readers. They inspire people today to write and strive to become
one of the great artists of their time; making history. After taking a good thorough look at these
poets and the lifestyles and conditions of the time, one can have grasp of a decently strong hold
on what life was like living in the 1930’s.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 18
Robert Frost
Leaves Compared with Flowers
A tree's leaves may be ever so good,
So may its bar, so may its wood;
But unless you put the right thing to its root
It never will show much flower or fruit.
But I may be one who does not care
Ever to have tree bloom or bear.
Leaves for smooth and bark for rough,
Leaves and bark may be tree enough.
Some giant trees have bloom so small
They might as well have none at all.
Late in life I have come on fern.
Now lichens are due to have their turn.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 19
I bade men tell me which in brief,
Which is fairer, flower or leaf.
They did not have the wit to say,
Leaves by night and flowers by day.
Leaves and bar, leaves and bark,
To lean against and hear in the dark.
Petals I may have once pursued.
Leaves are all my darker mood.
Not Quite Social
Some of you will be glad I did what I did,
And the rest won't want to punish me too severely
For finding a thing to do that though not forbid
Yet wasn't enjoined and wasn't expected clearly.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 20
To punish me overcruelly wouldn't be right
For merely giving you once more gentle proof
That the city's hold on a man is no more tight
Than when its walls rose highter than any roof.
You may taunt me with not being able to flee the earth.
You have me there, but loosely as I would be held.
The way of understanding is partly mirth.
I would not be taken as ever having rebelled.
And anyone is free to condemn me to death——
If he leaves it to nature to carry out the sentence.
I shall will to the common stock of air my breath
And pay a death-tax of fairly polite repentance.
Ten Mills
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 21
Precaution
I never dared be a radical when young
For fear it would make me a conservative when old.
The Span of Life
The old dog barks backward without getting up.
I can remember when he was a pup.
The Wrights' Biplane
This biplane is the shape of human flight.
Its name might better be First Motor Kite.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 22
Its makers' name——Time cannot get that wrong,
For it was writ in heaven doubly Wright.
Evil Tendencies Cancel
Will the blight end the chestnut?
The farmers rather guess not.
It keeps smoldering at the roots
And sending up new shoots
Till another parasite
Shall come to end the blight.
Pertinax
Let chaos storm!
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 23
Let cloud shapes swarm!
I wait for form.
Waspish
On glossy wires artistically bent,
He draws himself up to his full extent,
His natty wings with self-assurance perk.
His stinging quarters menacingly work.
Poor egotist, he has no way of knowing
But he's as good as anybody going.
One Guess
He has dust in his eyes and a fan for a wing,
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 24
A leg akimbo with which he can sing,
And a mouthful of dy stuff instead of sting.
The Hardship of Accounting
Never ask for money spent
Where the spender thinks it went.
Nobody was ever meant
To remember or invent
What he did with every cent.
Not All There
I turned to speak to God
About the world's despair;
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 25
But to make bad matters worse
I found God wasn't there.
God turned to speak to me
(Don't anybody laugh)
God found I wasn't there——
At least not over half.
In Divés Dive
It is late at night and I am still losing,
But still I am steady and unaccusing.
As long as the Declaration guards
My right to be equal in number of cards,
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 26
It is nothing to me who runs the Dive.
Let's have a look at another five.
To A Thinker
The last step taken found your heft
Decidedly upon the left.
One more would throw you on the right.
Another still——you see your plight.
You call this thinking, but it's walking.
Not even that, it's only rocking,
Or weaving like a stabled horse:
From force to matter and back to force,
From form to content and back to form,
From norm to crazy and back to norm,
From bound to free and back to bound,
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 27
From sound to sense and back to sound.
So back and forth. It almost scares
A man the way things come in pairs.
Just now you're off democracy
(With a polite regret to be),
And leaning on dictatorship;
But if you will accept the tip,
In less than no time, tongue and pen,
You'll be a democrat again.
A reasoner and good as such,
Don't let it bother you too much
If it makes you look helpless please
And a temptation to the tease.
Suppose you've not direction in you,
I don't see but you must continue
O use the gift you do possess,
And sway with reason more or less.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 28
I own I never really warmed
To the reformer or reformed.
And yet conversion has its place
Not halfway down the scale of grace.
So if you find you must repent
From side to side in argument,
At least don't use your mind too hard,
But trust my instinct——I'm a bard.
Langston Hughes
“Christ in Alabama”
Christ is a nigger,
Beaten and black:
Oh, bare your back!
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 29
Mary is His mother:
Mammy of the South,
Silence your mouth.
God is His father:
White Master above
Grant Him your love.
Most holy bastard
Of the bleeding mouth,
Nigger Christ
On the cross
Of the South.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 30
“Advertisement For The Waldorf-Astoria”
Fine living . . . à la carte??
Come to the Waldorf-Astoria!
LISTEN HUNGRY ONES!
Look! See what Vanity Fair says about the
new Waldorf-Astoria:
"All the luxuries of private home. . . ."
Now, won't that be charming when the last flop-house
has turned you down this winter?
Furthermore:
"It is far beyond anything hitherto attempted in the hotel
world. . . ." It cost twenty-eight million dollars. The fa-
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 31
mous Oscar Tschirky is in charge of banqueting.
Alexandre Gastaud is chef. It will be a distinguished
background for society.
So when you've no place else to go, homeless and hungry
ones, choose the Waldorf as a background for your rags-(Or do you still consider the subway after midnight good
enough?)
ROOMERS
Take a room at the new Waldorf, you down-and-outers-sleepers in charity's flop-houses where God pulls a
long face, and you have to pray to get a bed.
They serve swell board at the Waldorf-Astoria. Look at the menu, will
you:
GUMBO CREOLE
CRABMEAT IN CASSOLETTE
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 32
BOILED BRISKET OF BEEF
SMALL ONIONS IN CREAM
WATERCRESS SALAD
PEACH MELBA
Have luncheon there this afternoon, all you jobless.
Why not?
Dine with some of the men and women who got rich off of
your labor, who clip coupons with clean white fingers
because your hands dug coal, drilled stone, sewed garments, poured steel to let other people draw dividends
and live easy.
(Or haven't you had enough yet of the soup-lines and the bitter bread of charity?)
Walk through Peacock Alley tonight before dinner, and get
warm, anyway. You've got nothing else to do.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 33
EVICTED FAMILIES
All you families put out in the street:
Apartments in the towers are only $10,000 a year.
(Three rooms and two baths.) Move in there until
times get good, and you can do better. $10,000 and $1.00
are about the same to you, aren't they?
Who cares about money with a wife and kids homeless, and
nobody in the family working? Wouldn't a duplex
high above the street be grand, with a view of the richest city in the world at your nose?
"A lease, if you prefer, or an arrangement terminable at will."
NEGROES
Oh, Lawd. I done forgot Harlem!
Say, you colored folks, hungry a long time in 135th Street——
they got swell music at the Waldorf-Astoria. It sure is a
mighty nice place to shake hips in, too. There's dancing
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 34
after supper in a big warm room. It's cold as hell
on Lenox Avenue. All you've had all day is a cup of
coffee. Your pawnshop overcoat's a ragged banner on
your hungry frame. You know, downtown folks are just
crazy about Paul RObeson! Maybe they'll like you, too,
black mob from Harlme. Drop in at the Waldorf this
afternoon for tea. Stay to dinner. Give Park Avenue a
lot of darkie color——free for nothing! Ask the Junior
Leaguers to sing a spiritual for you. They probably
know 'em better than you do——and their lips won't be
so chapped with cold after they step out of their closed
cars in the undercover driveways.
Hallelujah! Undercover driveways!
Ma soul's a witness for de Waldorf-Astoria!
(A thousand nigger section-hands keep the roadbeds smooth,
so investments in railroads pay ladies with diamond
necklaces staring at Sert murals.)
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 35
Thank God A-mighty!
(And a million niggers bend their backs on rubber plantations, for rich behinds to ride on thick tires to the
Theatre Guild tonight.)
Ma soul's a witness!
(And here we stand, shivering in the cold, in Harlem.)
Glory be to God——
De Waldorf-Astoria's open!
EVERYBODY
So get proud and rare back; everybody! The new Waldorf-Astoria's
open!
(Special siding for private cars from the railroad yards.)
You ain't been there yet?
(A thousand miles of carpet and a million bathrooms.)
Whats the matter?
You haven't seen the ads in the papers? Didn't you get a card?
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 36
Don't you know they specialize in American cooking?
Ankle on down to 49th Street at Park Avenue. Get up
off that subway bench tonight with the evening POST
for cover! Come on out o' that flop-house! Stop shivering
your guts out all day on street corners under the El.
Jesus, ain't you tired yet?
CHRISTMAS CARD
Hail Mary, Mother of God!
the new Christ child of the Revolution's about to be
born.
(Kick hard, red baby, in the bitter womb of the mob.)
Somebody, put an ad in Vanity Fair quick!
Call Oscar of the Waldorf——for Christ's sake!!
It's almost Christmas, and that little girl——turned whore
because her belly was too hungry to stand it anymore——
wants a nice clean bed for the Immaculate Conception.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 37
Listen, Mary, Mother of God, wrap your new born babe in
the red flag of Revolution: the Waldorf-Astoria's the
best manger we've got. For reservations: Telephone EL.
5-3000.
“Good Morning Revolution”
Good morning Revolution:
You are the best friend
I ever had.
We gonna pal around together from now on.
Say, listen, Revolution:
You know the boss where I used to work,
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 38
The guy that gimme the air to cut expenses,
He wrote a long letter to the papers about you:
Said you was a trouble maker, a alien-enemy,
In other words a son-of-a-bitch.
He called up the police
And told’em to watch out for a guy
Named Revolution
You see,
The boss knows you are my friend.
He sees us hanging out together
He knows we’re hungry and ragged,
And ain’t got a damn thing in this world –
And are gonna to do something about it.
The boss got all his needs, certainly,
Eats swell,
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 39
Owns a lotta houses,
Goes vacationin’,
Breaks strikes,
Runs politics, bribes police
Pays off congress
And struts all over earth –
But me, I ain’t never had enough to eat.
Me, I ain’t never been warm in winter.
Me, I ain’t never known security –
All my life, been livin’ hand to mouth
Hand to mouth.
Listen, Revolution,
We’re buddies, see –
Together,
We can take everything:
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 40
Factories, arsenals, houses, ships,
Railroads, forests, fields, orchards,
Bus lines, telegraphs, radios,
(Jesus! Raise hell with radios!)
Steel mills, coal mines, oil wells, gas,
All the tools of production.
(Great day in the morning!)
Everything –
And turn’em over to the people who work.
Rule and run’em for us people who work.
Boy! Them radios!
Broadcasting that very first morning to USSR:
Another member of the International Soviet’s done come
Greetings to the Socialist Soviet Republics
Hey you rising workers everywhere greetings –
And we’ll sign it: Germany
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 41
Sign it: China
Sign it: Africa
Sign it: Italy
Sign it: America
Sign it with my one name: Worker
On that day when no one will be hungry, cold oppressed,
Anywhere in the world again.
That’s our job!
I been starvin’ too long
Ain’t you?
Let’s go, Revolution!
William Carlos Williams
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 42
The Sun Bathers
A tramp thawing out
on a doorstep
against an east wall
Nov. 1, 1933:
a young man begrimed
and in an old
army coat
wriggling and scratching
while a fat negress
in a yellow-house window
nearby
leans out and yawns
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 43
into the fine weather
This is Just to Say
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 44
so sweet
and so cold
Proletarian Portrait
A big young bareheaded woman
in an apron
Her hair slicked back standing
on the street
One stockinged foot toeing
the sidewalk
Her shoe in her hand. Looking
intently into it
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 45
She pulls out the paper insole
to find the nail
That has been hurting her
The Catholic Bells
Tho' I'm no Catholic
I listen hard when the bells
in the yellow-brick tower
of their new church
ring down the leaves
ring in the frost upon them
and the death of the flowers
ring out the grackle
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 46
toward the south, the sky
darkened by them, ring in
the new baby of Mr. and Mrs,
Krantz which cannot
for the fat of its cheeks
open well its eyes, ring out
the parrot under its hood
jealous of the child
ring in Sunday morning
and old age which adds as it
takes away. Let them ring
only ring! over the oil
painting of a young priest
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 47
on the church wall advertising
last week's Novena to St.
Anthony, ring for the lame
young man in black with
gaunt cheeks and wearing a
Derby hat, who is hurrying
to 11 o'clock Mass (the
grapes still hanging to
the vines along the nearby
Concordia Halle like broken
teeth in the head of an
old man) Let them ring
for the eyes and ring for
the hands and ring for
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 48
the children of my friend
who no longer hears
them ring but with a smile
and in a low voice speaks
of the decisions of her
daughter and the proposals
and betrayals of her
husband's friends. O bells
ring for the ringing!
the beginning and the end
of the ringing! Ring ring
ring ring ring ring ring!
Catholic bells——
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 49
Personal Works of Poetry Written by Brianna Carle
“Together We Stand…Alone”
As I sit in this chair
I begin to think and compare
My life to those of everyone out there.
Do they struggle too?
Would they know what to do
If their child attracted the flu?
I have no money
And I have very little honey.
I fear old medicinal recipes can’t cure my little Bonnie.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 50
With tear filled eyes it burns to blink.
As I sit in this chair and I think
How every ones heart can together link.
“The Elegant Dream”
Picturing the life I often dream;
The money, the house, the art, the gleam;
While I sit and sew up my husband’s torn seam.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 51
“Our Gift from Hell/ Our Baby”
My eyes are full of terror
As I look into the mirror.
I am torn between right and wrong
Like an endless song.
I think about the gold band around my finger.
Its value is where my mind starts to linger.
There are few pennies in my purse.
What should be a blessing feels like a curse.
Life was all so swell.
Now it’s as empty as a shell.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 52
I have no source of stability.
I long for a life of tranquility.
How can I break my husband’s heart?
I want us never to part.
But I fear with the burden I hold,
The truth he must be told.
We have no family or close friends nearby;
For that I want to cry.
We are barely surviving ourselves.
How can we ever care for someone else?
The decision is the hardest I will have to make.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 53
My arms wrapped around my waist, my heart starts to break.
My baby, your mommy loves you.
But she just doesn’t know what to do.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.
Carle 54
Works Cited
Frost, Robert. Complete Poems of Robert Frost 1949. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Ed. New
York, Chicago, San Francisco, 1967. 387, 403, 407-409, 431-432. Print.
Hughes, Langston. The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. Arnold Rompersad, Ed. New
York: Alfred Aknopf, 1995. 143-146, 162-163. Print.
Williams, William Carlos. The Collected Poems of William Carlos Williams. A. Walton Litz and
Christopher MacGowan, Eds. Vol 1: 1909-1939. New York: New Directions Publishing
Corporation. 1986. 371, 372, 384-385, 397-398. Print.
*Note: copies of all of the poems are attached at the end of this paper. They are organized by author
and in the order they appear within the paper.