Norman Alexander MacCaig

Norman MacCaig, one of Scotland’s most popular poets, was born on November 14th, 1910, in Edinburgh. He was the only son and the fourth child in the family. His father, a chemist, was a lowland Scot from

Two Friends

by Norman Alexander MacCaig (1910–1996)

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16

The last word this one spoke

was my name. The last word

that one spoke

was my name.

My two friends

had never met. But when they said

that last word

they spoke to each other.

I am proud to have given them a language

Click here for complete poem

Poets Book of Days

November 14

The New Republic publishes Langston Hughes' "Ballad of Roosevelt", 1934

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Poetry Trivia

Question:

Who has been identified as Europe's first professional female writer? And in what century was she writing?

Answer

Christine de Pisan developed her reputation as a writer from 1399 to 1430. Born in Venice, she worked for the king of France as an astrologer, physician and alchemist. Aphra Behn is considered one of the first English women to be a professional writer.

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