Great Regulars: On the other hand, a deft political poem,

a poem that inserts itself into civic discourse with one eye on time and another eye on lyrical imperatives is a rare and necessary piece of art. Richard Hugo's "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg," Carolyn Kizer's "The Erotic Philosophers," Allen Ginsberg's "Howl," Robert Lowell's "For the Union Dead," C.D. Wright's "King's Daughters, Home for Unwed Mothers, 1948" and Adrienne Rich's "What Kind of Times Are These" are a half-dozen examples of fine and important American political poems of the past 50 years.

But for now, this week, poetry and politics meet in a place where Langston Hughes can come out of the kitchen.

I, Too, Sing America

from David Biespiel: The Oregonian: Bookmarks: Poetry: Langston Hughes' words are in sync with new political era

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