Writers must attend to the moment; they must dwell in domain of the immediate, for there they will  find their ideas. At one time poetry was only written about moral dilemmas, heroic journeys, or things of a spiritual nature.   It, indeed, was a lofty avocation, but that time has passed.  Two writers in particular helped to change the domain of the poet.  Both Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, who happened to be American poets writing in the mid 1800s, began breaking the traditional rules of verse in seemingly small ways: they chose to ignore traditional form, wrenching line length and syntax; moreover, the began to write about small events in life. 

Click on each to the addresses below to read poems by these poets: http://www.bartleby.com/142/86.html

and http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Topic/WomensStudies/

While reading, think about what the poets are writing about:  are their topics those that I mentioned earlier: heroic ballads, spiritual journeys, or moral dilemmas? What small event caused these poems to be written? What are they really talking about?   After you finish reading the poems, compare the domain of each poet.  Are there similarities? Differences?

The poet's domain, as well as the fiction writer's, then is the landscape in front of her.  But don't be deceived, as the greatest poems do more than just describe the exterior landscape.  True poems and stories use the exterior to explain and reveal the interior.  Does this make sense to you?   If so, you will see how "Crossing Brooklyn Bridge" and "That Narrow Fellow in the Grass" are attempting to reveal an emotional truth for each poet.   What are they expressing to you?