Poetry advice

[henher3]

Does anyone know any poems or poets who advocate freedom, self-esteem and/or happiness? For example, a poetic display of the free and healthy person would be interesting.

 

Recently I saw Ron Paul linked to a list of movies with "libertarian messages" on facebook. Even though I am not sure I agree that the one movie I saw was all about libertarianism, I still enjoyed watching a movie that emphasized individual freedom and happiness. So I am wondering if anyone have had similar experiences in the domain of poetry.

 

Feel free to just recommend some good poets or poetry in general as well, since I am new to the genre.

 

Cheers!

[Delightful Might]

A poetic display of freedom

would be crying against a glass wall

after days of awkward effort,

and struggle and losing contest,

utterly spent by the stillness of inadequacy 

where moments stick to moments,

viewing a city that sits in smooth darkness, 

and drawing the next immutable breath,

so, so, so proud.

[Sal9000]

One of my favourite poems. 

Apollo's Archaic Torso

We cannot know his incredible head,
where the eyes ripened like apples,
yet his torso still glows like a candelabrum,
from which his gaze, however dimmed,

 

still persists and gleams. If this were not so,
the bow of his breast could not blind you,
nor could a smile, steered by the gentle curve
of his loins, glide to the centre of procreation.

 

And this stone would seem disfigured and stunted,
the shoulders descending into nothing,
unable to glisten like a predator's pelt,

 

or burst out from its confines and radiate
like a star: for there is no angle from which
it cannot see you. You have to change your life.