Carl Dennis has published numerous books of poetry, including House of My Own (1974), The Outskirts of Troy (1988), Meetings with Time (1992), Practical Gods (2001), for which he won the Pulitzer Prize, and Callings (2010).
Poetry
Spring 2009
The Sleepless
f you belonged to our tribe, the sleepless, You too would try to comfort yourself with numbers, Seeking out symptoms of our affliction Among the many who appear rested. You […]
Poetry
Spring 2007
A Visit to West Point
Butterflies in dark caves, dervishes in the desert— It's easier to believe in them now that I'm witnessing, Here in a fortress classroom, English majors in uniform Giving their full […]
Poetry
Spring 2005
With Benjamin Franklin
Though there's no disputing the gloomy odds Against second chances, my favorite passage In the book on Franklin that's taken me weeks to read Occurs near the end, on his […]
Poetry
Spring 2005
Our Generation
Whatever they say about us, they have to agree We managed to bridge the gap between Those who arrived before us and those who've followed. We learned enough at the […]
Poetry
Winter 1993
Seven Days
No problem making sense of the week Once I convince myself that each day Is meant to follow the one before Or not to follow, whichever it chooses. One day […]
Poetry
Winter 1993
Track Meet
Solomon’s declaration that the swift Don’t win the race, given time and chance, Is convincing if interpreted as a metaphor, But not if applied to literal races, Assuming the runners […]
Poetry
Winter 1993
Two or Three Wishes
What if Oedipus never discovers his ignorance And remains king to the end, Proud as he walks the streets of Thebes To think of himself as his city’s savior, The […]
Poetry
Winter 1991
Tuesday at First Presbyterian
Bald, middle-aged, tending to fat, Our speaker this evening at First Presbyterian Works up a sweat in the chilly church hall As he warms to his subject. And if his […]
Poetry
Autumn 1982
Shakespeare in Delaware Park
She makes me agree beforehand Not to leave early if she does, So I stay when she walks out at the break After Act II, while Othello's faith Is still […]
Poetry
Autumn 1982
Why Your Numbers Do Not Increase
At the hour you climb the stairs Out of the world of your pains and pleasures Up to the quiet chambers of the serious And find the guidebook open on […]
Poetry
Spring 1981
What Has Become of Them
Somewhere back in the lost place, you’re still repeating The same partial, uninspired replies to the girl Who looks out the diner window in despair, And your mother still wipes […]