Poet Appreciation #3: Robert Penn Warren
Better known as a novelist, and perhaps as a scholar, Robert Penn Warren did provide some formidable poetry to ponder. You might be more familiar with his All the King’s Men, which garnered him the Pulitzer Prize in 1947, then his Pulitzer Prize collection Now and Then: Poems, 1976-1978. In all, he was awarded three Pulitzer Prizes, two being for poetry. His southern background influenced his writing, particularly leaning towards the agrarian appreciation of the land. Receiving accolades and honors throughout his career, Warren left a rich legacy of both prose and poetry.
Image of U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Penn Warren (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Vision
by Robert Penn Warren
I shall build me a house shall build me a house where the larkspur blooms
In a narrow glade in an alder wood,
Where the sunset shadows make violet glooms,
And a whip-poor-will calls in eerie mood.
Like Cather’s poetry about the prairie, Warren provides a strong connection to nature. His diction is amazing the way it influences the imagery: “violet glooms,” “guttered light,” “glassy dark”. I don’t even notice the rhyme, it’s so fluid. Whether they poem is taken for its metaphorical meaning or literal, it doesn’t matter to me–I simply want to savor it, rather than analyze it. Good writing is like a good sunset in that words aren’t always sufficient to explain why the beauty is so moving.
Related articles
- Vision, by Robert Penn Warren (loiselden.com)
- Evening Hawk, poem by Robert Penn Warren (silverbirchpress.wordpress.com)
Pam Webb 
He’s one of my favorite writers just because of All the King’s Men. Every time I read it, his poetic writing style amazes me. Thanks for the reminder to read up on more of his poems.
It’s a bonus to discover the versatility of favorite authors, which is what I tried to accomplish as I gathered poems.
I could just say “glassy dark” over and over to myself and be quite happy.
I agree. Certain poetical phrasings are like that sweet tang of summer’s first strawberry. Delicious😎
I had never read this poem before – and now I am smitten! Gosh darn I wish I could make words dance like that!
The more I read poetry, especially words penned with such grace, the more in awe I am of the possibility of creativity.