Database of the Month: Literature Online (LION)

Our database of the Month for April is Literature Online (LION) .

In 1996, the Academy of American Poets declared April as National Poetry Month, a month dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of American poems and poets.  In honor of this month, the database this month is one in which a great many samples of American (and other) poetry are found, Literature Online (LION).

LION is not just about poetry.  It covers all facets of literature and has information on the authors of many countries besides the United States.  But as this is National Poetry Month, we will only talk about finding text, biographies and criticism of American poets and their work. For poets, LION is an especially good way to find the text of their poems online as it contains many works by different poets that can be searched by title, keywords or author.  LION contains poetry from poets that are well known and those not so well known.

In addition to title, keyword and author searches, there are several browse functions that facilitate exploration of the contents of the database.  For poetry click on “browse complete contents” which brings up a listing of all of the full-text materials found in the database.  Each listing is arranged by period and “American Poetry” is the top listing in each time period, beginning with the 1607-1785 Colonial period. In brackets is a list of how many volumes and how many differing authors are represented in the collection.  Clicking on the listing of volumes brings up all full-text poetry found for that time period, arranged by author.

For criticism of an author’s works, click on the “criticism & reference” button and enter the author’s name to find a listing of articles and links which provide critical reviews of the authors works. WHEN SHOULD I USE THIS DATABASE? Use this database for information on any literary topic or to quickly find samples of poetry.

In closing, here are some links to poems to help you celebrate the arrival of Spring (when it finally arrives!) found in the database that were written by American poets.

• Hymn to the Evening by Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784), who was the first black poet to be published in America in 1767.
• Spring Joy by Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) whose most well-known poem is “The New Colossus” which is inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty.
• spring \ may by Cummings, E.E. 1894-1962 an experimental poet of the early 20th century.
• Easter Season by Louise Gluck(1943- ) well-known living American poet.

Finally, we will close with the poem most appropriate to April and Illinois, Walt Whitman’s When Lilacs Last in the Door-yard Bloomed, composed for the funeral of President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination in April 1865. 

Take the time to read at least one American poem this month!

Access to databases is limited to current students, staff, and faculty of Monmouth College.