Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
This little poem by Robert Frost is filled with vivid winter imagery. The words have a gentle rhythm and a soft rhyme, It is about an experience in nature where the poet would like to linger and enjoy the beauty of his experience, but he must return to his life of duty and responsibility.
Tyger Tyger
The Tiger by William Blake 1757–1827 Blake, an English Romantic poet,lived in London at a time of great social and political change that profoundly influenced his writing. In this poem he seems to question everything, including, perhaps, his faith.
The Road Not Taken
This famous poem by Robert Frost is about the paths we choose — the turning points we reach and the decisions we make that can determine the course of our lives.
Gravity’s Law
This poem by Rainer Maria Rilke is about accepting and appreciating nature (gravity). The poet recommends that we learn from, and respect the wisdom of the natural world, rather than fighting against it.
Sailing to Byzantium
In this poem W.B.Yeats considers the fleeting nature of mortality (“a tattered coat upon a stick”), compared to the timeless endurance of works of art (“Of hammered gold and gold enameling”).
Second Coming
This poem by William Butler Yeats, written in 1919, seems strangely prophetic today, at a time of plague and political unrest.
Don’t Go Back to Sleep
13th century Sufi mystic poet Rumi enjoins us to wake up, be present and become aware of the depth and complexity of the unseen world— that lies just beyond the doorsill.
The Moon
Poet, Zhang Jiuling (张九龄, 675-740 AD), is one of the most famous and popular of all Chinese poets. In fact this poem is often taught to young school children in China today. Looking at the Moon and Thinking of One Far Away, We dedicate Looking at the Moon to everyone who feels lonely and misses […]
The Night
Rainer Maria Rilke uses the image of night to take us beyond the surface and the limits of our prejudices, to see “people, nations, just as they are”.
All That Has Never Been Spoken
This is a meditation from a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke in his Book of Hours 1,12, in which the poet prays to his muse for inspiration.
The Hour is Striking
This lovely little poem by Rainer Maria Rilke speaks to the importance of our being mindful and aware — to live in the moment.
I am the One
Hildegard von Bingen, a mystic and visionary from the Middle Ages, wrote beautiful songs, chants and poetry. This is one of our favorites — crafted into a visual meditation with beautiful and evocative imagery.
The King’s Robes
Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem, The King’s Robes from his Book of Hours, is one of his “Love Poems to God.” It reminds the reader to avoid worshipping false images.
Embracing Our Vulnerability
Visual translation of Rainer Maria Rilke poem. Perhaps all the dragons in our lives….
Beauty-Mystery (2)
This is the second section of a full-length investigation into the phenomenon of beauty—its nature, its place in our lives, and its amazing power to transform us. To view the other sections of this film, please go to: Introduction Part One Part Two
The Poetry of Dana Gioia
Poet Dana Gioia reads his poem, California Hills in August, from his book Daily Horoscope.
Words, from The Poetry of Dana Gioia
Dana Gioia reads the poem Words, from his book, Interrogations at Noon.