"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union,

establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,

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."

 

 

THE NEW COLOSSUS

by: Emma Lazarus (1849-1887)

OT like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

 

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

The only news I know

Is bulletins all day

From Immortality.

 

The only shows I see,

Tomorrow and Today,

Perchance Eternity.

 

The only One I meet

Is God- the only street,

Existence; this traversed

 

If other news there be,

Or admirabler show-

I'll tell it you.

 

 

Robert Frost (1875-1963)

 

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

 

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

 

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask it there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

 

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.