On this day in 1672 Anne Bradstreet, the first published poet of

the American colonies, died. Many of her poems are conventional,

but others have personality and a New World edge: “I am obnoxious

to each carping tongue, / Who sayes, my hand a needle better

fits….” Such lines inspired John Berryman to “Homage to

Mistress Bradstreet,” the collection that brought his first fame. Today in Literature

Dream Song 1
John Berryman

Huffy Henry hid the day,

unappeasable Henry sulked.

I see his point,–a trying to put things over.

It was the thought that they thought

they could do it made Henry wicked & away.

But he should have come out and talked.

All the world like a woolen lover

once did seem on Henry’s side.

Then came a departure.

Thereafter nothing fell out as it might or ought.

I don’t see how Henry, pried

open for all the world to see, survived.

What he has now to say is a long

wonder the world can bear & be.

Once in a sycamore I was glad

all at the top, and I sang.

Hard on the land wears the strong sea

and empty grows every bed.