POETRY FROM PARADISE VALLEY

POETRY FROM PARADISE VALLEY
Click Image to Visit the Pecan Grove Press Web Page for Poetry from Paradise Valley

POETRY FROM PARADISE VALLEY web page

Poetry From Paradise Valley

Pecan Grove Press has released an anthology of poems, a sampling of works published in Valparaiso Poetry Review during its first decade, from the original 1999-2000 volume to the 2009-2010 volume.


Poetry from Paradise Valley includes a stellar roster of 50 poets. Among the contributors are a former Poet Laureate of the United States, a winner of the Griffin International Prize, two Pulitzer Prize winners, two National Book Award winners, two National Book Critics Circle winners, six finalists for the National Book Award, four finalists for the National Book Critics Circle Award, two finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, and a few dozen recipients of other honors, such as fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, etc.

Readers are encouraged to visit the Poetry from Paradise Valley page at the publisher's web site, where ordering information about the book can be found.

Best Books of Indiana 2011: Finalist. Judges' Citation: "Poetry from Paradise Valley is an excellent anthology that features world-class poetry, including the work of many artists from the Midwest, such as Jared Carter, Annie Finch, David Baker, and Allison Joseph. It’s an eclectic and always interesting collection where poems on similar themes flow into each other. It showcases the highest caliber of U. S. poetry."
—Indiana Center for the Book, Indiana State Library

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Celebrating Composition of the U.S. Constitution



On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed, changing the course of history. In a speech written for the occasion by Benjamin Franklin praising the convention members for coming together to compose a unified statement, he declared: “I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another’s throats.” Although the language contained in the document does not achieve the poetic levels seen at times in the Declaration of Independence, the words represent an amazing example of conscientiousness, commitment, and compromise written by a committee despite often-contentious debate and disagreement. The memorable preamble of the Constitution:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

5 comments:

David said...

Article 4 Section 4 is quite beautiful.

sirvan said...

Wow! that was long ago.

The Daily Reviewer said...

Hi!

Congratulations! Your readers have submitted and voted for your blog at The Daily Reviewer. We compiled an exclusive list of the Top 100 Poetry Blogs, and we are glad to let you know that your blog was included! You can see it at http://thedailyreviewer.com/top/poetry/2

You can claim your Top 100 Blogs Award here

P.S. This is a one-time notice to let you know your blog was included in one of our Top 100 Blog categories. You might get notices if you are listed in two or more categories.

P.P.S. If for some reason you want your blog removed from our list, just send an email to angelina@thedailyreviewer.com with the subject line "REMOVE" and the link to your blog in the body of the message.

Cheers!

Angelina Mizaki
Selection Committee President
The Daily Reviewer
http://thedailyreviewer.com

Unknown said...

The Constitution of the United States is a written document expounding the core principles of democracy and the working of the American government. It remains the highest law in the land and clarifies the relationship between that government and the states, explains which powers the government does (and does not!) have, and guarantees certain rights and freedoms to the people. The U.S. Constitution is, in short, the blueprint for America's democracy. It is, in many ways, the blueprint for America itself. Today, more than 220 years later, The Constitution still remains a living document—exactly as its authors intended it to be. But, it can only stay alive as long as we continue to take it seriously—as long as we understand its principles and force our own leaders to follow them. The Constitution belongs to all of us and we should treat it accordingly.

Angelina said...

I have written a few papers about the United States Constitution and dig deeper into the issue that specific lines where actually plagiarized from a John Locke document. Putting aside attached "issues" with plagiarism, the point is the constitution was (to some extent) drafted for trade issues.