Poetry Class Help!

I'd really like some help, and quickly.

During a final exam in American Poetry, I have to recite a poem of at least 14 lines by an American author. (It should be a published author, and not self-published. Someone relatively known by literary types.)

This instructor has constantly tormented us "Christian School" people, as she refers to us on occasion. I could give an example for each day of class, of something she's said or implied about Christianity. (For example, when she asked if we ever studied poetry in a Christian school, and we said yes, she said, "Well, we read dirty poems in here.") Gosh, do we ever!

Of course, it was hilarious to the students. I had to smile, because it was so true.

I am hoping for some help finding a good, short poem to recite. Something kind, of course, and nothing too up your nose. I don't want to sound as though I am seeking some sort of petty revenge by reciting a poem with the plan of salvation in six easy steps. This is a graduate level lit. class.

I'd just like the class to know that Christians are capable of writing poetry worth studying, and that a Christian world view (see there, Mr. Roger? I used your phrase!) doesn't necessarily mean goody-two-shoes schoolgirls who don't know the first thing about real life.

I used to have a book, an anthology compiled by John R. Rice, with Christian poetry in it, but I don't know what happened to it. If anyone has anything they think would be good for this project, please let me know before Monday~

I'd be so grateful.

Sincerely,
ned

Thanks to you both for replying so quickly.

Silver king, I looked at the sites you found for me, and I'm sorry to say I saw nothing there that would "fly" in this class. The poetry on both of those sites just desn't qualify as published or having some literary acclaim. (I know; but what this teacher wants is not necessarily what we'd like to recite.)

Applachian, what a super idea--too bad the psalmist wasn't an American author--I almost think I'd do it.

I really liked your Emily Dickinson idea, however. That poem is one I've always admired.

Like anyone who's been made to study poetry as the highest form of literature, and like anyone who really doesn't like it much, I have found a few poems that affect me, inspire me, or simply make me feel something or another. I have my favorites, naturally. (I hate to admit it, but I love reading Poe poems, even if they are about despair and hopelessness. The booger could find a word to rhyme with orange, I think. Who can't admire "The Raven" if only for its art?)

My point. Do I have a point? Nah. Just killing a few minutes between chapters.

Anyway, thanks again. I'll give Emily some serious thought.

The worst of it all is that I HATE reciting anything. I am NOT a performer. I usually forget to breathe. And I took public speaking twice. Didn't help.

Oh, if either of you like poetry, have you read Ann Bradstreet? An early American poet, the first woman poet published in America. Good, if you enjoy the kind of poetry from the 16-17th C.

Good ideas, all. Can't do John Donne, he's not American!

Maybe what I'd really like is something I can memorize in ten minutes or fewer?

Just kidding. I'll go through both Emerson and Dickinson tonight and choose one, and start memorizing.

I took the final in this course today, and totally blew it. The worst ever. I just couldn't make myself memorize all that biology--way too much biology in this section. I was cringing through most of this month. Oh well, I had a good A average, so blowing the test won't change my life. If I can get out of this course with a C, I'll be content.

Next week I start Victorian Lit and Linguistics, hurray!