For the past two nights, I had the pleasure of attending poetry readings. Last night’s readings were organized by Dara Mandle for the National Arts Club’s annual evening of young poets. Afterwards during the Q&A, the poets–Mika Gellman, Andrew Hurst, Jennifer L. Knox and Jason Koo— were asked if they had concerns with using the language of our time–how it would be interpreted, or not, by later generations.  A unanimous “no” echoed forth and Jason reminded us that there are volumes written about Shakespeare’s verse. Next, they were asked which poets they read and admired. Andrew said he was reading an obscure poet from a tag sale book find.

I forage not only off our land, but at thrift stores and used book racks. At my library’s annual book sale, I rescued Anthology of American Poetry Lyric America 1630-1930, edited by Alfred Kreymborg.  In his introduction, he feels strongly about including the first colonial poem.  Here is the first verse:

Thankfully, we have the archaeology of words that clues us into the habits, ways, methods of past lives and work. As I try to find more information about who lived here, I am thankful to mine these sources.

Text from, Anthology of American Poetry Lyric America 1630-1930, edited by Alfred Kreymborg, (Tudor Publishing, NY, 1930), p.3