The golden whales of California, and other rhymes in the American language

Name: The golden whales of California, and other rhymes in the American language
Author: Vachel Lindsay

By Vachel Lindsay

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American Literature Poetry

About This Book

The collection gathers lyrical and narrative poems that range from long, scene-setting pieces celebrating California's landscapes and the new art of the moving picture to playful rhymed scenarios and verse games. It interleaves meditations on history, myth, science, and religion with comic sketches and dialectal songs, moves into wartime reflections and elegies for fallen poets, and closes with local, Midwestern vignettes and personal tributes. The poet shifts between high-lyric description, satirical invective, and vernacular rhythms, experimenting with form and voice to present an uneven but energetic portrait of American life, technology, and regional identity in early twentieth-century verse.

About the Author

Vachel Lindsay

Vachel Lindsay (1879-1931) was an American poet and a prominent figure in the early 20th-century literary scene. Known for his unique style that blended rhythmic verse with a musical quality, Lindsay's work often explored themes of beauty, spirituality, and social justice. His notable poem, "General William Booth Enters into Heaven," reflects his deep engagement with the social issues of his time. Lindsay was also an advocate for the arts, contributing to the development of modern poetry and the appreciation of visual arts through his writings, such as "The Art of the Moving Picture." His adventurous spirit is captured in works like "A Handy Guide for Beggars," where he shares his experiences and insights while traveling.