Original poem reprinted online here: "University" by Karl Shapiro Originally read: September 22, 2013 More information about the Poet: Karl Shapiro Each stanza has three adjusted parts. The first three lines four lines in the poem are left adjusted, then the next three lines are adjusted as though indented, and then the last line which is a couple spaces off from the previous three. But this is the structure, what the poem does is attack structure "University" without holding back, especially the first line, "To hurt the Negro and avoid the Jew / Is the curriculum." This is the academic side which butts up against incoming interpretations, "In mid - September / The entering boys, identified by hats / wander in a maze of mannered brick." And what's the first thing of notice? The curriculum? The freshmen? Where boxwood and magnolia brood And columns with imperious stance Like rows of ante-bellum girl...
Formerly the RetailMFA, This is the Poetry Blog of Darrell Dela Cruz