“America” by Claude McKay [w/ Audio]

Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,
And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth,
Stealing my breath of life, I will confess
I love this cultured hell that tests my youth.
Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,
Giving me strength erect against her hate,
Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.
Yet, as a rebel fronts a king in state,
I stand within her walls with not a shred
Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer.
Darkly I gaze into the days ahead,
And see her might and granite wonders there,
Beneath the touch of Time’s unerring hand,
Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

“America” by Walt Whitman

Centre of equal daughters, equal sons,
All, all alike endear’d, grown, ungrown, young or old,
Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich,
Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love,
A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother,
Chair’d in the adamant of Time.

DAILY PHOTO: Amantani Island Jetty

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“Epigram for Wall Street” by Edgar Allan Poe [w/ Audio]

I'll tell you a plan for gaining wealth,
Better than banking, trade or leases —
Take a bank note and fold it up,
And then you will find your money in creases!
This wonderful plan, without danger or loss,
Keeps your cash in your hands, where nothing can trouble it;
And every time that you fold it across,
'Tis as plain as the light of the day that you double it!

DAILY PHOTO: Tulum Beach

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DAILY PHOTO: Church of Maca, Peru

“Daniel Boone” by Stephen Vincent Benét [w/ Audio]

When Daniel Boone goes by, at night,
The phantom deer arise
And all is lost, wild America
Is burning in their eyes.

DAILY PHOTO: Rocky River

DAILY PHOTO: Skyline From the Concrete Beach, Chicago

DAILY PHOTO: Rock & Blue Sky

Stone Mountain, GA, USA
Arabia Mountain, GA, USA
Arabia Mountain