Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks
Encouraged by her mother, Brooks developed an early interest in writing. As she grew up, other people and events shaped her perspectives and her poetry. Use the information at this site to create a collage that illustrates who and what inspired the author’s writing over time.

Modern American Poetry: James Wright
Go to On "A Blessing" to find out what several writers have had to say about Wright’s poem. The first analysis is by Robert Bly, who was with Wright during the pony encounter. How does Bly’s expression of the experience differ from Wright’s? What do you have to say about the poem? Record your responses in the Web Links Activity Log.