South City Librarians Love Poetry

It seems appropriate that April, of all the 12 months, would be designated as , as poetry has a rejuvenating power—and, like the spring, a good poem is transformative and effortless.

However, according to the Poetry Foundation, 2012 marks the last time the art form will recognized in a month-long awareness campaign. 

Says Katherine Pryde, press secretary for the Chicago-based Poetry Foundation, “We don’t need it any more. Poetry—contemporary or centuries old, page-based or orally performed, ‘experimental’ or obviously traditional– has such a presence in every part of American life, every month of the year, that there’s just no point in devoting a single month to it.”

In homage to the last National Poetry Month, the librarians at the South San Francisco Public Library have generously shared their favorite poems with Patch readers. Enjoy reacquainting yourself with old favorites and finding news ones as you scroll through the poems below, then please add your favorites in the comments.

Valerie Sommer, Library Director:

As an English major, I loved W. B. Yeats’ poetry.  My favorite poem of his, "Under Ben Bulben," has special meaning because I lived in Ireland for several months many years ago and could look out my front window and see Ben Bulben.  I even travelled to Drumcliffe, County Sligo, Ireland, to see Yeats’ grave, where the last three lines of the poem are engraved:

Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman, pass by!

Click here to read the full poem.

Cheryl Grantano, Assistant Library Director:

I have saved for years a translation of a poem by Pablo Neruda.  I found the poem, "Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines" (though alas not the same translation) in a book we have called "The Poetry of Pablo Neruda."

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

Through nights like this one I held her in my arms
I kissed her again and again under the endless sky.

She loved me sometimes, and I loved her too.
How could one not have loved her great still eyes.

Click here to read the full poem.

Another favorite is Amy Lowell’s “Patterns.” I go from very sad and serious (and good for dramatic readings) to something silly such as “Butterflies, You Puzzle Me,” by Jack Prelutsky:  "Butterflies, you puzzle me, for as you flit and flutter, I study you, but never see the slightest bit of butter."

Marta Bookbinder, Community Learning Center:

A very favorite poem learned from my father when I was young is by Julio Flores.

“Toma esta flor” le dije a una paloma                       

Y llévasela al ser que mas me quiera

Y dile que es la flor de mas aroma

De todas las que adornan la pradera

Click here to read the full poem.

Ann Mahon, Children’s Manager

I love e.e. cummings’ "somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond," particularly that stunning last stanza and last line.

(i do not know what it is about you that closes

and opens;only something in me understands

the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)

nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands

Click here to read the full poem.

Holly Fulghum-Nutters, Literacy Services Manager

"Do not go gentle into that good night," by Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Click here to read the full poem.

Mary Torres Volken, Reference Librarian:

"Ode to the West Wind," by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

 My favorite line is "Oh wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

Click here to read the full poem.

Rachel Nash, Reference Librarian:

"The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert W. Service.

There are strange things done in the midnight sun

Click here to read the full poem.

Two librarians, Kyle Broenkow and Meg Cupman, make monthly poetry visits to Westborough Royale, the retirement home near the Main Library. They choese and share poems with the residents who love their visits.

Meg read “If I Had Known” by Mary Carolyn Davies to the residents last week, who were very moved by the poem.

If I had known what trouble you were bearing;

What griefs were in the silence of your face;

I would have been more gentle, and more caring,

And tried to give you gladness for a space.

I would have brought more warmth into the place,

  If I had known.

Click here to read the full poem.

Wendy Sinclair-Smith, Library Assistant

"A - You're Adorable," words by Buddy Kaye, Fred Wise and Sidney Lippman

A - you're adorable

B - you're so beautiful

C - you're a cutie full of charm

D - you're a darling and

E - you're exciting and

F - you're a feather in my arms

G - you look good to me

H - you're so heavenly

I - you're the one I idolize

J - we're like Jack and Jill

K - you're so kissable

L - is the love light in your eyes

Click here to read the full lyrics.