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The New Colossus


Not 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!"

Notes

This poem was inspired by the Statue of Liberty. It marks a period in American History during which many Europeans immigrated to the United States of America.
The Statue was seen as a 'new colossus' in comparison to those of Greek antiquity - representing the two worlds the new immigrants bridged.

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Comments

1 - 5 of 5

  • Mari Goes
    April 18, 2008

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    This is really a warm tribute to the statue and to the land. I like how she saw it as 'Mother of Exiles'.
    This should be true to every land that can offer little more to those who seek a safe place to live.

  • Sir Ima Cucumber
    April 18, 2008

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    Still the symbol of all that America was and hopefully can be again one day. I think this is the first time I've actually read the entire poem.


  • I-Like-Rhymes Moderators member
    August 7, 2006
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    Often misquoted and lampooned yet still a powerful message that other lands would do well to adopt.

  • listenUPyall
    March 13, 2005
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    This is the American dream.

  • grand theft autumn
    April 12, 2004
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    this is such a cool poem- I love the imagery and the powerful language she uses. Bravo!!
    ~Autumn

1 - 5 of 5