Pantoum Poem by Owen Kuster
Freedom is a Light for which many men had died in Darkness
Washington Square, with its seats, lamps, and ornamental fence
A burial ground for over 2,000
“Going to the graves of their friends early in the morning”
Washington Square, with its seats, lamps, and ornamental fence
“A green countrytown, which will never be burnt”
“Going to the graves of their friends early in the morning”
From the “offensive nuisance” of the 18th century into “a beautiful and fashionable promenade”
“A green countrytown, which will never be burnt”
Where adults strolled and children played marbles
From the “offensive nuisance” of the 18th century into “a beautiful and fashionable promenade”
“Hey look a scooter!”
Where adults strolled and children played marbles
A burial ground for over 2,000
“Hey look a scooter!”
Freedom is a Light for which many men have died in Darkness
Your last stanza captures the contrast between life and death, joy and solemnity. It's the essence of Washington Square. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThe poem has great rhythm and emphasizes the positive and negative purposes of the square really well!
ReplyDeleteHello, I just wanted to let you know how much I simply adore this poem! It flows so nicely and progresses in such a smooth way. I really admire the way you have been able to paint such a vivid and precise portrait of Washington Square. That's all :)
ReplyDeleteThe Poem was outstanding really like how it rhythms that was splendid
ReplyDeleteI think this poem is really nice, in that it has a flowing continuity to it that really incapsulates what it feels like to walk in Washington square—through vivid imagery and the inclusion of overheard conversations. Not to mention, I enjoyed how you detailed Washington Square’s history from burial ground to park.
ReplyDeleteThis poem perfectly captures not just Washington Square but Philly as a city with a long, rich history that is also just the everyday backgrop for people's lives. It's serious and comtemplative one minute and then simple and silly at times. I just love it!
ReplyDelete