POEM

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Song of Myself, 51

By Walt Whitman
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This poem about discovery, change, and transformation contains Whitman's arguably most famous lines: “Do I contradict myself? / Very well then I contradict myself, / (I am large, I contain multitudes.)”

In respect of copyright, we cannot display the poem here. Click the link to read it.

Read on poets.org

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Jane Hirshfield on What Inspires Her Poetry

At the 2015 National Book Festival in Washington D.C., Academy Chancellor Jane Hirshfield joined us for a conversation about poetry and the poet's role in American culture today.

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Jane Hirshfield
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Amanda Gorman Reads Inauguration Poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’

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Amanda Gorman
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Nikki Giovanni Reads Her Poem “Vote”

Nikki Giovanni is 77, a civil rights activist, a poet driven to give voice to the Black community, and a self-described “little old lady” with a tattoo that reads “thug life.” And this fall, she has one message (written in verse, of course): VOTE.​

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Nikki Giovanni
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Dr. Maya Angelou’s 3-Word Secret to Living Your Best Life - Oprah’s Master Class - OWN

Dr. Maya Angelou says that in order to be the best human being you can be, you must follow one simple directive: “Just do right.” Watch as Dr. Angelou reveals how you can never go wrong by doing what you truly believe in. Plus, find out why Dr.

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Maya Angelou
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Jill Suttie
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EXPLORE TOPIC

Self-Discovery