Akron, Ohio: A City of Poems

Akron, Ohio is a city with a rich literary history. From the works of Hart Crane to the poems of Etheridge Knight, Akron has been home to some of the most important poets of the 20th century. In this article, we will explore the city's literary heritage and discuss some of the most famous poems about Akron.

The Boy in the Labyrinth: Poems (Akron Series in Poetry)

by Theodore Koukouvitis

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	627 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	157 pages
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Hart Crane

Hart Crane was born in Garrettsville, Ohio, in 1899. He moved to Akron with his family when he was a child, and he attended East High School. Crane was a brilliant student, and he began writing poetry at a young age. In 1917, he published his first poem, "My Grandmother's Mother's Voice," in the school's literary magazine.

Crane left Akron in 1919 to attend Columbia University in New York City. However, he returned to Akron often, and he wrote many poems about the city. One of his most famous poems, "Akron," was published in 1926. The poem is a moving tribute to the city, and it captures the beauty and the energy of Akron's industrial landscape.

Etheridge Knight

Etheridge Knight was born in Corinth, Mississippi, in 1931. He moved to Akron with his family when he was a child, and he attended Central High School. Knight was a troubled youth, and he dropped out of school at the age of 16. He spent several years in prison, and it was during this time that he began writing poetry.

Knight's poetry is often raw and unflinching, and it deals with themes of race, poverty, and violence. However, his poems are also full of beauty and hope. Knight's poem "Akron," which was published in 1968, is a powerful indictment of the city's racial divide. However, the poem also ends on a note of hope, with Knight writing, "But I love this city / and I will fight for it."

William Ellery Leonard

William Ellery Leonard was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1876. He moved to Akron with his family when he was a child, and he attended Buchtel College (now the University of Akron). Leonard was a gifted student, and he went on to earn a PhD from Harvard University. He taught English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for many years, but he returned to Akron often, and he wrote many poems about the city.

Leonard's poetry is often lyrical and meditative, and it deals with themes of nature, love, and loss. His poem "Akron," which was published in 1912, is a beautiful tribute to the city, and it captures the beauty of the city's natural surroundings.

Akron, Ohio is a city with a rich literary history. From the works of Hart Crane to the poems of Etheridge Knight, Akron has been home to some of the most important poets of the 20th century. These poets have captured the beauty, the energy, and the struggles of Akron, and their poems have helped to define the city's identity.

The Boy in the Labyrinth: Poems (Akron Series in Poetry)

by Theodore Koukouvitis

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	627 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	157 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE