Comment 17 of 27, added on March 9th, 2008 at 2:46 PM.

I'm sorry, I accedentaly pressed enter, but as i was saying to Leslie
Johnson from the United States, poetry brings beauty to life, something we
are loseing. It has its unique way of saying things. Do you like music?
What is the purpose of music? Well, let me tell you somthing, music is a
poem, a lyric poem to be exact. Something, I'm pretty sure, you can't
understand Oh and by the way,
are you in first grade? It's because of people like you we're losing the
English language.

Wynona from United States

Comment 15 of 27, added on February 10th, 2008 at 10:45 PM.

This poem came back to me today as I was sitting on a beach on Bonaire, who
knows why. I learned it 50 years ago at school in London as a poetry
reading assignment --- had to memorize it and then recite it at a large
public event. At the age of 12 it had a great effect on me, and still
does. Sitting on the beach today, I could only remember the first two
verses, somewhat mixed up even, but it touched me deeply again. I came
back and looked it up, re-read it several times again --- probably with a
lot more feeling and understanding than I had so long ago. I wish I had
the opportunity to thank the teacher who introduced me to the beauty of
these words ... and became part of the impetus for me to visit the US
(intending to stay a few years) 40 years ago. Plans changed when I met my
husband five weeks after arriving in NYC...
I'm still saddened by these words, especially so as I realize how prevalent
slavery still is in our world ... when will we learn?

Josie Estill from United States

Comment 13 of 27, added on October 31st, 2007 at 4:25 AM.

ok i dont like this peom......seriously speakin i dont like POETRY in the
first place cos...i tink poetry is so totally useless in life.....i mean
common ok, if one s doin medicine...den wat is de use of a poem...i mean u
cant expect dem 2 repeat poetry n do a surgery!!!!!

Leslie Johnson from United States

Comment 11 of 27, added on February 5th, 2006 at 1:56 PM.

Fify two years ago my class at primary school was asked to choose their
favourite poem from our poetry book. I cose this poem and learnt it by
heart. I loved it becauase of the choice of words and the change in rhythmn
in each verse which so matched the subject matter. Recently I chastised my
own class of 18 year old biologists because they had not mastered the skill
of learning for life. They challenged me to demonstrate something I had
learnt in my youth and I gave them the first 2 verses of this poem. At home
that night I tried to remember it all and on finding that I could not
remember the 7th verse I looked it up! What joy to read it in its entirety
again--absolutely stunning use of the English language!.

W Leonard from United Kingdom

Comment 9 of 27, added on July 4th, 2005 at 8:32 AM.

Mufasa from Zimbabwe,
You confuse current issues in Zimbabwe with a beautiful poem expressing how
an african felt when taken as a slave. He expressed the feelings of what he
must have felt when he was taken away from his family. This can happen to
anyone, especially in todays world, black white or asian. Look what is
happening in our country. People are dying of hunger and are made to
destroy their own homes. Re-read the poem Mufasa, Longfellow definitely
expressed his views on Slavery through his expressive words!Or are you
judging him as a white european? Too quick to judge!

Natasha from Zimbabwe