Enchanted English

Robert Frost is one of the most well-known and beloved of American poets. His famous poem, "The Road Not Taken," is often quoted but also often misunderstood. This episode looks at what the poem really has to tell us, and why it is such a brilliant work of art. Download a free PDF transcript of this episode on my blog, https://enterenchanted.com/english.

In this episode, you'll meet the simple yet profound poetry of Emily Dickinson, with "A Bird Came Down the Walk." For a complete transcript, visit enternchanted.com/english.

This episode introduces listeners to Walt Whitman, "America's World Poet." Listen to Whitman's poem, "Beginning My Studies," along with a short description of his life and a discussion of the language he uses.

Beginning my studies, the first step pleas’d me so much,

The mere fact, consciousness — these forms — the power of motion,

The least insect or animal — the senses — eyesight — love;

The first step, I say, aw’d me and pleas’d me so much,

I have hardly gone, and hardly wish'd to go, any farther,

But stop and loiter all the time, to sing it in ecstatic songs.