Learn about poetry all around the world!

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Poetry Is an Ancient Language Art | A World of Poetry
Poetry Is an Ancient Language Art | A World of Poetry
Episode 1

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Poetry Is an Ancient Language Art In this image from The Odyssey, Odysseus is seen strapped to the mast of his ship. Most researchers believe that poetry is older than written language itself. The...
Around the World with Poetry | A World of Poetry
Around the World with Poetry | A World of Poetry
Episode 2

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Around the World with Poetry People from cultures around the world use poetry for expression, entertainment and communication. Different languages and cultural backgrounds affect why and how a poem is...
The Inuit of the Arctic Circle | A World of Poetry
The Inuit of the Arctic Circle | A World of Poetry
Episode 3

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The Inuit of the Arctic Circle The Inuit culture has survived in some of the coldest, most remote parts of the world. Home to the Inuit is the Arctic landscape of Greenland and the northern parts of...
The Joy of a Singer | A World of Poetry
The Joy of a Singer | A World of Poetry
Episode 4

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The Joy of a Singer A wonderful occupation Making songs! But all too often they Are failures. A wonderful fate Getting wishes fulfilled! But all too often they Slip past. A wonderful occupation...
Chile: A Nation of Poets | A World of Poetry
Chile: A Nation of Poets | A World of Poetry
Episode 5

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Chile Chile has been called "a nation of poets." At a recent poetry convention in Chile, over 20,000 Chileans came to hear the work of poets from around the world. Two Chilean poets, Pablo Neruda and...
Rocking | A World of Poetry
Rocking | A World of Poetry
Episode 6

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Rocking The sea rocks her thousands of waves. The sea is divine. Hearing the loving sea I rock my son. The wind wandering by night Rocks the wheat. Hearing the loving wind I rock my son. God, the...
Fleas Interest Me So Much | A World of Poetry
Fleas Interest Me So Much | A World of Poetry
Episode 7

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Fleas Interest Me So Much Fleas interest me so much They are perfect, ancient, Sanskrit, machines that admit of no appeal. They do not bite to eat, they bite only to jump; they are the dancers of the...
China | A World of Poetry
China | A World of Poetry
Episode 8

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

China The written form of Chinese poetry is believed to be over 22,000 years old. The first collection of Chinese poetry, The Book of Songs, was created between the 11th century and 2nd century B.C...
While Visiting on the South Stream | A World of Poetry
While Visiting on the South Stream | A World of Poetry
Episode 9

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Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

While Visiting on the South Stream the Taoist Priest Chang Walking along a little path, I find a footprint on the moss, A white cloud low on the quiet lake, Grasses that sweeten an idle door, A pine...
Deer-Park Hermitage | A World of Poetry
Deer-Park Hermitage | A World of Poetry
Episode 10

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Deer-Park Hermitage There seems to be no one on the empty mountain... And yet I think I hear a voice, Where sunlight, entering a grove, Shines back to me from the green moss. - Wang Wei
Modern Aboriginal Poetry of Australia | A World of Poetry
Modern Aboriginal Poetry of Australia | A World of Poetry
Episode 11

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Modern Aboriginal Poetry of Australia The songs and oral poems of the aborigines of Australia have been passed down for thousands of years. The poems explore their historical and spiritual connection...
Africa, Part 1 | A World of Poetry
Africa, Part 1 | A World of Poetry
Episode 14

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Africa In Africa, the djelis (pronounced "jay-lee"), or storyteller, uses poetic rhythms and expression to tell stories. Like the Greek poet Homer, the djelis memorizes poems and is part of an oral...
Africa, Part 2 | A World of Poetry
Africa, Part 2 | A World of Poetry
Episode 15

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To The Rain Bringer of wealth Feeder of orphans Fall gently Come and feed us peacefully Oh, fall gently. - Acoli
Africa, Part 3 | A World of Poetry
Africa, Part 3 | A World of Poetry
Episode 16

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Bicycle My frail little bicycle, The one with the scar, My sister Seabelo, Horse of the Europeans, Feet of tire, Iron horse, Swayer from side to side. - Hurutshe A scar is a thin tool bag attached to...
Africa, Part 4 | A World of Poetry
Africa, Part 4 | A World of Poetry
Episode 17

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Frog Frog you, frog you Your Friend, your friend; Frog you, frog you: He is calling his wife Jump squat, jump squat He is calling his wife - Sotho "Frog" is sung in a jumpy, jerky manner to imitate a...
Japan, Part 1 | A World of Poetry
Japan, Part 1 | A World of Poetry
Episode 18

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The Japanese haiku is one of the most widely known forms of poetry in the world. Haiku, or "beginning verse," evolved from a 16th-century Japanese poetry form known as the "renga." Haiku is admired...
Poetry Comes in Many Shapes and Colors | A World of Poetry
Poetry Comes in Many Shapes and Colors | A World of Poetry
Episode 22

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These are only a few types of poetry found throughout the history of the world. In this month's issue of Periscope, you will find that poetry comes in many shapes and colors. It is written for...