Dana Gioia recites his poem "The Road"

"Making the Words Ours" by Kathleen Rooney

Read Making the Words Ours by Kathleen Rooney: A compelling new video project takes Whitman to the streets of Alabama.

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

American poet

A Poem by Emily Dickinson and a Hymn by George Beverly Shea

An untitled poem by Emily Dickinson
on help to the distressed

If I can stop one Heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one Life the Aching
Or cool one Pain

Or help one fainting Robin
Unto his Nest again
I shall not live in Vain.


Now listen to an audio recording of George Beverly Shea singing the hymn "If I Can Help Somebody."