Poetry Out Loud: Sreepadaarchana Munjuluri recites 'The New Colossus' by Emma Lazarus

2023 Poetry Out Loud National Champion Sreepadaarchana Munjuluri from Indiana recites "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus at the 2023 Poetry Out Loud National Finals

[granthouston]

One of the most powerful readings of this poem I’ve ever heard. God bless immigrants. They contribute so much to our great nation.

[GlitteringBlack-yryt]

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!”

[MacKenziePoet]

Yes, never a good idea to go conversational with classic poetry, especially in the sonnet form. The sonnet is really quite musical, but all its wonderful qualities fly out the window here.