Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FIVE POINTS, 1838, by LAUGHTON OSBORN First Line: Fast by the dike, where frown the granite eaves Last Line: In laurens street, the southern side of broom. Subject(s): Five Points, New York City; Homeless; Hunger; New York City - 19th Century | ||||||||
Fast by the dike, where frown the granite eaves Of the huge dome Manhattan rears for thieves, A range of filthy dwelling houses stood, Fac'd with dull brick, and bridg'd with steps of wood. Here, in chalk'd spaces, seven feet by four, Crowd various families a common floor; The night's straw sack their musty couch by day, While on the loathsome plank their broken victuals lay. Dogs, cats, and children in one litter cry, And mud-cak'd pigs encroach upon the sty. Without, all wreck and nastiness; within, Starvation, sickness, vermin, stench, and sin. Such hives as still are found, with ev'n less room, In Laurens Street, the southern side of Broom. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BRONX, 1818 by JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE ODE TO FORTUNE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK MANHATTAN ARMING by WALT WHITMAN FITZ-GREENE HALLECK, AT THE UNVEILING OF HIS STATUE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER CITY LYRICS by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS TO THE LADY IN THE CHIMSETTE WITH BLACK BUTTONS by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS TWO WOMEN by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS THE 'STAY AT HOME'S' PLAINT, 1878 by GEORGE AUGUSTUS BAKER JR. EMPORIUM VERSUS NEW YORK, 1854 by JACOB BIGELOW |
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