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Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Searching... Subject: TEXAS Matches Found: 137 UPDATE command denied to user 'poetryex_users'@'localhost' for table `poetryex_poems`.`subcnt` A SPOOL OF THREAD, by SOPHIE E. EASTMAN Poem Text First Line: Well, yes, I've lived in texas, since the spring of '61 Last Line: I was but a boy in war time, and I carried him the thread. Subject(s): Confederate States Of America; Patriotism; Texas; Confederacy AFTER A YEAR IN KOREA, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Old uncle oscar hated cold, hauled Last Line: The bomb, good summers short, %the winters hard, more bitter every year Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Korean War, 1950-1953; Prairies - Texas AFTER EDEN, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I like snakes my own way, underfoot Last Line: Where the loading corral is waiting %and a truck backed tight against the ramp Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas AFTER THE FLIGHT HOME FROM SAIGON, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: This is the rage for order on the plains Last Line: In bad weather, not far from my door, %each day laid out forhim, easy to understand Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Variant Title(s): Fence Subject(s): Prairies - Texas AND TEXAS HAS GONE DRY!, by WILLIAM A. PHELON Poem Text First Line: Through the mighty lone star empire sounds Last Line: From louisiana's border to the yellow rio grande! Subject(s): Temperance; Texas; Prohibition AT THE FOOTBALL STADIUM, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Last night, beyond the flooding Last Line: Beneath the lenses and his fists %he mouthed an o Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas ATMOSPHERIC, by VIRGIL SUAREZ Poem Source Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Every night I go to bed here in austin Last Line: Awake in austin, night, heart sings its rapture Subject(s): Austin, Texas; Death AUSTIN, TX, by JACK DONAHUE Poem Source First Line: At the juncture of congress and colorado Last Line: In my ageless, tearing eyes Subject(s): Austin, Texas; Hospitality; Tourists; Travel BARN ON THE FARM WE'RE BUYING, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We slide the barn door wide and cough. Dust swarms Last Line: We're growing used to, our other odor. %the earth we're beginning to call home Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas BEAUTY IS ELSEWHERE, by BOYCE HOUSE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Truly, there is no beauty in fort worth, no song Subject(s): Fort Worth, Texas BEN MILAM, by WILLIAM H. WHARTON Poem Text First Line: Oft shall the soldier think of thee Last Line: Linked with undying liberty! Subject(s): Milam, Benjamin Rush (1788-1835); Texas Revolution (1835-1836) BLACK WINGS WHEELING, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I've seen her lift a calf Last Line: Lizards with slit mouths, lost dogs, %does with wild eyes and rapidly beating hearts Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas BLUE SKIES, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Under the crisp reeds Last Line: Or moving, the wind knowing, %the wind always delivering Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas BRIEF, FAMILIAR STORY OF WINTER, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The barn is telling the story of winter Last Line: And listening, like good children. %they believe it's only a story Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas BUILDING ON HARDSCRABBLE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Chopping down dense mesquites Last Line: Holding their rattles %tie up and silent Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas CARMELITA, by MIRABEAU BONAPARTE LAMAR Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: O carmelita, know ye not Last Line: O donna carmelita! Subject(s): Pioneers; Texas Revolution (1835-1836); West (u.s.); Southwest; Pacific States CATTLE IN RAIN, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: No cow knows what to do in rain Last Line: In the pasture, they will go on %chewing this green haze forever Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas CAUGHT IN A STORM ON HARDSCRABBLE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Under an oak, I wait out a hailstorm Last Line: And eats, believing my lie that we're safe, %that nothing can hurt us Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas CHILDREN'S HOUR, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Let's try spinning autumn into gold Last Line: Brighter than the sun going down, %all of us shielding our eyes and silent Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas CITIES, by BOYCE HOUSE Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Dallas %a pompous-girthed merchant Subject(s): Dallas, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Houston, Texas CORPUS CHRISTI, by JOHN UPDIKE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Corpus,' they say, as in 'habeas.' Last Line: A christ the angelo half chews down with shrimp Subject(s): Texas CRANES, TEXAS JANUARY, by MARK SANDERS Poem Source First Line: I call my wife outdoors to have her listen Last Line: We stand chilled in the winter of those voices Subject(s): January; Texas CREPES FLAMBEAU, by TESS GALLAGHER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We are three women eating out Last Line: Spotted horses in the frame Subject(s): Texas CREPES FLAMBEAU, by TESS GALLAGHER Poem Source Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We are three women eating out Last Line: We are too happy, too %glad in the pioneer decor: rough boards, %spotted horses in the frame Subject(s): Texas DALLAS, by JENNIFER FOOTMAN Poem Source First Line: Here she is in this tin box thing about to fly from dallas to reno. God Last Line: He knows and she says nothing Subject(s): Aviation And Aviators; Dallas, Texas; Travel DEDUCTIONS FROM THE LAWS OF MOTION, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The countryside is quiet, except that contrail Last Line: To amaze us all, always on he go %over miles of sand under a spinning moon Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas DEFEAT, by WITTER BYNNER Poem Source Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: On a train in texas german prisoners eat Last Line: It is again ourselves whom we defeat Alternate Author Name(s): Morgan, Emanuel Subject(s): Texas DEMONS IN TEXAS, by STEPHEN LOWE Poem Source First Line: Start the truck,' was the call Last Line: And the early morning hours Subject(s): Fields; Prairies - Texas DIGS IN ESCONDIDO CANYON (1), by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Last night the brazos froze, the trucks are here Last Line: A harmless drudge who means nobody harm, who only means %to dig for bones he might have loved Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas DOWN IN DALLAS, by X. J. KENNEDY Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Down in dallas, down in dallas Alternate Author Name(s): Kennedy, Joseph Subject(s): Assassination; Dallas, Texas; Holidays; Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (1917-1963); Texas DRIVING HOME TO THE PLAINS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Now it begins, the endless golds Last Line: For bottles, blankets, nothing ever more %but sky, ten million stars Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas DRYING UP, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Anytime from march through fall Last Line: Tightens the nuts and in march starts them up %again. He waits. The wells suck deep. The water flows Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas EAST AUSTIN, by PETER LASALLE Poem Source First Line: Palm sunday, and look at how Last Line: Returns to sleep a sleep as serious as holy week: redemption is near Subject(s): Redemption; Religion; Texas EAST TEXAS, by IRENE DENMAN KISER Poem Text First Line: We're traveling today in east texas Last Line: Where the red hilly highway ends and starts. Subject(s): Texas; Travel; Journeys; Trips EAST TEXAS JUNE, 1939, by ARDATH MAYHAR Poem Source First Line: Mornings were fragile hope Last Line: While a distant mockingbird %signalled victory Subject(s): Texas EYES IN GRANDFATHER'S OILS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Wolves again. Grandfather roamed these fields Last Line: Their eyes staring through the canvas %glazed by oils and starving Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas FATHER'S REVOLVER, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I carried it cold, with pearl handles Last Line: Over the pasture, coaxing rabbits to hop boldly %in the open, daring rattlesnakes to coil Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas FEEDING THE WINTER CATTLE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We lifted bales and dropped them heavy Last Line: And lifting, heaving it over like ballast %between the dogs,like another christmas visit %dropping a Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas FIDDLES AND STEEL GUITARS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Even a stuttering owl knows music Last Line: And a mad bull backing off and pawing, %about to tear the barn down Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas FINDING MY FATHER'S HANDS IN MID-LIFE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: What enters my hand is stiff Last Line: Of his thumb something we closed on, %muscle we loved Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas GETTING IT DONE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I've watched amazed the same burnt sienna Last Line: Where we live, only brown earth and sky %and in between, all that matters Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas GOAT RANCHING, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I could let go and live with the goats Last Line: Whetting their horns like sabers %on barbed wires Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas GOATS OF SUMMER, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The clink of steel diggers rammed Last Line: Waiting to be strung, a dozen more dry holes %before there'll be some order to this dirt Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas GROWING UP NEAR ESCONDIDO CANYON, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: With bristles and picks Last Line: Cow bones or coyotes' %we believed were human, %turning them over and over Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas GULF, by DEREK WALCOTT Poem Source Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The airport coffee tastes less of america Last Line: Age after age, the uninstructing dead Subject(s): Air Travel; Texas; United States HAWKS IN A BITTER BLIZZARD, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Hard work alone can't drive blue northers off Last Line: Nothing in oak or juniper they carve %ever as wild and staring as those eyes Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas HELL IN TEXAS, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: "oh, the devil in hell they say he was chained" Last Line: "just dine with a greaser and then you will shout, / I've a hell on the inside as well as without" Subject(s): Texas HIGH NOON: GALVESTON BEACH, by STANLEY E. BABB Poem Source First Line: Blue is the sea: a glittering incredible blue Subject(s): Galveston, Texas HOMESICK IN TEXAS, by ANN COBB Poem Text First Line: Grandsir' fell out of his cornfield and broke his neck Last Line: Only ole pine top can fill. Subject(s): Homesickness; Texas; Wellesley College HONEY MAN, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Like a bear, uncle murphy could line bees Last Line: Yellow as butter, dark bittersweet mesquite, %white lightning, sweet copper combs Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas IN BLANCO COUNTY, by RUSSELL T. FOWLER Poem Source First Line: Down here now %summer's burnt skeins Last Line: That life, if nothing else, %is something he knows Subject(s): Texas IN THE GENERAL AREA OF NORTH TEXAS, by SCOTT CAIRNES Poem Source First Line: Except for what is very old (the failing Last Line: By two bright green metal nameplates with bright green names: %casa verde, san verde, verde acres, v Subject(s): Texas IRRITABLE ALIENS, by ANSELM HOLLO Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Texas, texas jack omohundro Last Line: Take us there, pronto Subject(s): Aliens; Texas; Extraterrestrials JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY, by JOHN MASEFIELD Poem Text Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: All generous hearts lament the leader killed Last Line: The promise of his spirit be fulfilled. Alternate Author Name(s): Masefield, John Edward Subject(s): Assassination; Dallas, Texas; Death; Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (1917-1963); Lament; Presidents, United States; Dead, The LASCA, by FRANK DESPREZ Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: I want free life, and I want fresh air Last Line: In texas, down by the rio grande. Subject(s): Cowboys; Ranch Life; Texas; West (u.s.); Southwest; Pacific States LEAVING THE MIDDLE YEARS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Slow blues beckon us to move Last Line: Sentimental enough for lovers bound %by more than rings and wrinkles %deeper than any scars Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas LIKE SOMEONE DRIVING TO TEXAS BY HERSELF, by CAROLYN D. WRIGHT Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: A car that could not pass inspection an expired license Last Line: Like someone driving to texas Alternate Author Name(s): Wright, C. D. Subject(s): Driving And Drivers; Solitude; Texas LIVING ON OPEN PLAINS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We thought we knew these flat Last Line: Where are the coyotes, now? %where is the sand running to? Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas LOSING A BOAT ON THE BRAZOS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Downriver rocks were rapids. Believe me Last Line: Like old bones mired in mud we've proved %can rise and walk again Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas MAKING BOOK ON THE AQUIFER, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: When it doesn't rain, we water Last Line: Wherever others on the road a mile away %are going, we are here Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas MARRIAGE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The neighbors' dogs have howled at the last Last Line: Animals trot by outside our window %for the blesing of names Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Animals; Dogs; Prairies - Texas MEMENTO MORI, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I've seen her pose a skull Last Line: Wearing a skull, painted in clouds %and ground we could stand on Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas MERCY AND THE BRAZOS RIVER, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poet's Biography First Line: My great-greats came to hardscrabble plains Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Loss; Moving & Movers; Prairies - Texas; Refugees; United States - Immigration & Emigtration; Plains - Texas MERCY AND THE BRAZOS RIVER, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: My great-greats came to hardscrabble plains Last Line: Caliche canyon and haul back barrels of water %from the river of the arms of god Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Loss; Moving And Movers; Prairies - Texas; Refugees; U.s. - Immigration And Emigration MONOLITH, WEST TEXAS, by RICHARD LYONS Poem Source First Line: Peach on the dash, meaty compass I taste to the pit-stone Last Line: Rising & falling through apparitions of itself Subject(s): Texas MOON-MAIDEN (A VISION OF THE TEXAS RANGERS), by RUTH MAXWELL Poem Text First Line: Fire cracked dry brush on the level sand Last Line: With an onyx spoon. Subject(s): Texas Rangers MOUNDS AT ESTACACO, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Hawks alone could have loved it Last Line: Cows and romping calves in all directions, %bumblebees roaming the miles of cactus Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas MY BROTHER IN SUMMER, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Here on the texas plains he wakes at five Last Line: Leaves at work, sighing oxygen, %pushing itself toward its own white death Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas NAPPING ON THE GREYHOUND, by RUTH STONE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: It's christmas eve in texas Last Line: "from planet zizz. ""very tasteful antennae." Subject(s): Buses; Greyhounds; Texas; Travel; Journeys; Trips NIGHT MISSIONS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Tonight will be like any other night Last Line: Blue wings climbing somebody's dreams, %tuned blades humminglike mercy Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas NIGHT OF RATTLESNAKE CHILI, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Only the lure of a rattler kept us Last Line: Was cold and sweeter than most %and steel spoons melted in our mouths Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas NOAH, by WILLIAM LOGAN Poem Source First Line: That great false texas sky, the color of oatmeal Last Line: Even two dogs that struck and quarreled like wolves Subject(s): Spring; Texas NOT WANTED--THE TEXAS RANGERS, by WILLIAM A. PHELON Poem Text First Line: Out in the sun-blaze, one to ten Last Line: And now they've no use for the rangers! Variant Title(s): Not Wanted-the Texas Rangers Subject(s): Texas Rangers OF DUST THOU ART, by LARRY D. THOMAS Poem Source First Line: In van horn, in far west texas Last Line: Like slabs of red earth, and they pray Subject(s): Art And Artists; Texas OLD MEN FISHING AT BROWNWOOD, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Spitting tobacco juice on hooks Last Line: Pneumonia or stroke, the hiss of fangs %nearby on a shimmer of water Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas ON A SCREENED PORCH IN THE COUNTRY, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We scan the sky for jets whose radios and dead Last Line: We leave the porch light off and rock in darkness, %watchingwild eyes flashing in the fields Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Variant Title(s): Living On Hardscrabbl Subject(s): Prairies - Texas ONE THAT GOT AWAY, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We took turns eating ammonia dirt Last Line: Four hooves in the air forevr, %his mane like flames of gold Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas PANHANDLE, by LARRY MCWHORTER Poem Source First Line: Where the short grass struggles daily Last Line: Don't stop except for food or gas, %so, it's not a total loss Subject(s): Ranch Life; Texas PLAINS AND THE ART OF WRITING, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: A prairie lays its mystery face up Last Line: Long muscles flowing %over the old, familiar sand Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas POINT OF ROCKS, TEXAS, by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The stones in my heart Last Line: Looks like a simple stripe. Subject(s): Clouds; Mountains; Prairies; Stones; Texas; Hills; Downs (great Britain); Plains; Granite; Rocks PRAISE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Under the threat of summer, trees Last Line: That never go anywhere all winter, %and somehow survive Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas RIG-SITTING, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: On the derrick, I twist this wrench tight Last Line: How many times a bit goes around %before breaking Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas ROCK SOFTLY IN MY ARMS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Forget the bells, the call to order Last Line: In my arms and hold me, girl, %this night won't last for long Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas ROSE OF CASA MIA, by LOU LOVEKIN Poem Source First Line: Down in texas by the rio, don ricardo's villa lay Subject(s): Texas SAILOR'S SONG, by HAZEL HARPER HARRIS Poem Source First Line: As I sail home to galveston Subject(s): Galveston, Texas; Sea SAM BASS (1), by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: "sam bass was born in indiana, it was his native home" Last Line: But if I'm right in my surmise he's gone the other way Subject(s): "bass, Sam (1851-1878);crimes & Criminals;texas Rangers; SAN ANTONIO MEMORIES, by RUDOLPH N. HILL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Beneath the arches dark, on green Last Line: All loveliness is san antone. Subject(s): Alamo; San Antonio, Texas SAN ANTONIO, REPUBLIC OF TEXAS, by ELIAS MIGUEL MUNOZ Poem Source First Line: Cowboys are %in san antonio Last Line: It is still a penetrable alamo. %the miniature model inside:%thousands of little dead %soldiers Subject(s): Cowboys; Mexican American Families; San Antonio, Texas SEINING FOR CARP, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The carp keep coming back, no matter how many Last Line: Carp wait in the open, catchable, all the carp %in our lives easy to seine and toss to the cats Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas SENSE OF SMELL, by HUGH STEINBERG Poem Source First Line: I was driving through north texas Last Line: We get used to everything Subject(s): Driving And Drivers; Texas SETTLING THE PLAINS (1), by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poet's Biography First Line: For here and for the afterlife Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas; Religion; Plains - Texas; Theology SETTLING THE PLAINS (1), by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: For here and for the afterlife Last Line: Would live, if it was god's will %and the wind blew Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas; Religion SIX YEARS AFTER WACO, by GAYLE ELEN HARVEY Poem Source First Line: Who else among the contra'd congregations kneels Last Line: And was that texas conflagration %hot enough? Subject(s): Political Campaigns; Texas SKETCHES OF THE TEXAS PRAIRIE: 'APRIL RAINS', by GEORGE BOND Poem Text First Line: There is magic in the april rains Last Line: Of vivid texas flowers. Subject(s): Prairies - Texas; Rain; Plains - Texas SOME TOWNS OF TEXAS, by KARLE WILSON BAKER Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: I went but once to san antonio Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Charlotte Subject(s): Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas SONG FROM THE TRAFFIC, by MARGARET BELLE HOUSTON Poem Text First Line: The black haw is in flower again Last Line: One a-galloping a thousand miles away!) Alternate Author Name(s): Probert, W. H, Mrs.; Houston, Margaret Bell Subject(s): Flowers; Texas SONG OF TEXAS, by WILLIAM HENRY CUYLER HOSMER Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Make room on our banner bright Last Line: "that spangle your banner bright." Subject(s): Texas Revolution (1835-1836) SONG OF THE TEXAS RANGERS, by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: The morning star is paling Subject(s): American Civil War; Texas Rangers; U.s. - History STARTING A PASTURE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: This far out in the country no one is talking Last Line: Honking, sticking their heads out the windows and laughing. Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas; Plains - Texas STARTING A PASTURE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Flooded with sun, this ranch looks like a rice field Last Line: Imported from wyoming, a flock of ostriches which came %lastnight by train, wide eyed and panting Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas SUNDOWN, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: He's not alone, the old bull Last Line: The weight of the farm %and the long day disappear Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas TAKING EACH DEEP BREATH, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Rain, the long arm of thunder, reaches us Last Line: Gliding under the crack of thunder, %taking each deep breath to let it go Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas TEXAS, by ALLA COALSON Poem Text First Line: O texas, my texas, my native state Last Line: In the minds and hearts of thy people. Subject(s): Texas TEXAS, by AMY LOWELL Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I went a-riding, a-riding Last Line: Beyond, beyond, my bridle-rein. Subject(s): Horseback Riding; Texas TEXAS RANGER (1), by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: Come all you texas rangers, wherever you may be Subject(s): Texas Rangers TEXAS RANGER (2), by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: At the age of sixteen Subject(s): Texas Rangers TEXAS RANGER (3), by UNKNOWN Poem Source First Line: My name 'tis nothing extra Subject(s): Texas Rangers TEXAS: VOICE OF NEW ENGLAND, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Up the hillside, down the glen Last Line: "blessed of our fathers' god!" Subject(s): Slavery; Texas; Serfs THAT TEXAS CATTLE MAN, by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: We rode the tawny texan hills Last Line: "she's dead this twenty year." Alternate Author Name(s): Miller, Joaquin Subject(s): Cattle; Love; Texas THE 'TEXAS'; SEEN FROM THE BEACH AT ATLANTIC CITY, by SILAS WEIR MITCHELL Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Fair in the white array of peace Last Line: Or be it peace, or be it war! Subject(s): Texas THE DEFENSE OF THE ALAMO [MARCH 6, 1835], by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Santa ana [anna] came storming, as a storm might come Last Line: When duty fronts death in his alamo. Alternate Author Name(s): Miller, Joaquin Subject(s): Alamo; Bowie, James (1796-1836); Crockett, Davy (1786-1836); Patriotism; Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez De (1794-1876); Texas Revolution (1835-1836); Travis, William Barret (1809-1836) THE DEVIL IN TEXAS, by ANONYMOUS Poem Text First Line: He scattered tarantulas over the roads Last Line: "just dine with a mexican, then you will shout, / 'I've hell on the inside as well as the out!'" Subject(s): Texas THE EYE OF TEXAS, by PAT MORA Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Santa maria, madre mia, your sparrows tugged Subject(s): Chicanos; Texas THE FIGHT AT SAN JACINTO [APRIL 21, 1836], by JOHN WILLIAMSON PALMER Poem Text First Line: Now for a brisk and cheerful fight!' Last Line: And the texan star flashed out. Subject(s): Houston, Sam (1793-1863); Patriotism; Revenge; San Jacinton, Battle Of (1836); Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez De (1794-1876); Texas Revolution (1835-1836) THE GULF, by DEREK WALCOTT Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The airport coffee tastes less of america Subject(s): Air Travel; Texas; United States; America THE MEN OF THE ALAMO, by JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: To houston at gonzales town, ride, ranger, for your life Last Line: "thermopylae left one alive -- the alamo left none." Subject(s): Alamo; Bowie, James (1796-1836); Courage; Crockett, Davy (1786-1836); Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez De (1794-1876); Texas Revolution (1835-1836); Travis, William Barret (1809-1836); Valor; Bravery THE TRANSFORMATION OF A TEXAS GIRL, by JAMES BARTON ADAMS Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: She was a texas maiden, she came of low degree Last Line: Had rested there for ages above a flow of oil? Subject(s): Cowboys; Petroleum; Ranch Life; Texas; West (u.s.); Oil; Southwest; Pacific States THE VALOR OF BEN MILAM, by CLINTON SCOLLARD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Oh, who will follow ben milam into san antonio? Last Line: In song be praised, let a rouse be raised for the name of ben milam! Subject(s): Bexar, Siege Of (1835); Milam, Benjamin Rush (1788-1835); Texas Revolution (1835-1836) THE WILD-BEES, by HENRY VAN DYKE Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: All along the brazos river Last Line: Was the fertile land of texas. Alternate Author Name(s): Civis Americanus Subject(s): Native Americans; Pioneers; Texas; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America THINGS ABOUT TO DISAPPAR, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Pronghorns the size of fawns Last Line: Theynvr pause, before our eyes they fade %like a legend and run for mils Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas TIED UP UNDER TREES, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Not when the moccasin sidles Last Line: The wide white border of his mouth, %and inside, all tongue and fangs Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas TO A SOUTHERN STATESMAN, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poem Text Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Is this thy voice whose treble notes of fear Last Line: And heave the engineer of evil with his mine. Subject(s): Calhoun, John C. (1782-1850); Oregon; Slavery; Texas; Serfs TORNADO CHASING, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: At night the cb crackles Last Line: In flashes. They gasp like me %and breathe the name of god Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas; Tornadoes TRAINS, UP CLOSE AND FAR AWAY, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Hearing a faint train whistle Last Line: Wail long after any human hand %could have pulled the cord Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas UNCLE BUBBA AND THE BUZZARDS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Old uncle bubba wore scuffed leather Last Line: Sweaty glove rubbing his horse, %his stiff boots thudding in the straw Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas UNCLE ROLLIE AND THE LAWS OF WATER, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: The windmill pumps an old, slow action up and down Last Line: Water trickling through a rusted pipe, faithful %after all these years, the dry, split blades still Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WEEDS BARN OWLS, ALL NIBBLING GOATS, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We chop these weeds with hoes filed shiny Last Line: Sometimes an owl blinded by sunlight, %weaving from barn to barn Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WHATEVER GROUND WE WALK ON, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: We walk until the moon rises Last Line: Yet here we are, not even touching %and the moon is up, and rushing Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WHATEVER IT TAKES (1), by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: In pakistan, three elephants go around Last Line: To prop it, stomps down around this post %to wedge it tight between two perfect stones Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WHEN CHILDREN THINK YOU CAN DO ANYTHING, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Living on hardscrabble, a man is less Last Line: And comb my hair and shave, roll down my sleeves %and go inside as if nothing's happened Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WHERE THE TREES GO, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: In time they all rise up Last Line: The other trees look down %and find them missing Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WILDCATTING, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: In the cramped cab of a pickup, we bump down Last Line: Drunk on the constant spinning, each twist %of the bit like love, trying it over and over Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WIND AND HARDSCRABBLE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: It's wind, not rain, dry cattle need Last Line: And muzzle deep in stock tanks %filled and overflowing Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WINDMILLS NEAR ESCONDIDO, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: Relax, it's friday, nothing to do Last Line: How many gallons spin on a windmill, %how many rain clouds wishs build Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WINTER BEFORE THE WAR (1), by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: One winter, sledgehammers couldn't break ice Last Line: And drank and cursed our luck, and tried to ignore %stiff wind and shingles banging overhead Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas WITCHING ON HARDSCRABBLE, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Text Poet's Biography First Line: Farming on dry land, a man keeps his witch-stick Last Line: Brought in elsewhere in texas. With my own eyes. Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Variant Title(s): Witching Subject(s): Drought; Farm Life; Prairies - Texas; Water; Agriculture; Farmers; Plains - Texas WOMAN ACQUAINTED WITH THE NIGHT, by WALTER ROBERT MCDONALD Poem Source Poet's Biography First Line: My wife is not afraid of dark Last Line: So if our children wake and cry %for light, there will be light Alternate Author Name(s): Mcdonald, Walt Subject(s): Prairies - Texas |
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