The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus -- Poem and reading notes

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The New Colossus 
1883 
 
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,  // A famous Greek Colossus
With conquering limbs astride from land to land; 
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand // Warm, welcoming words
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame // The gatekeeper of America is a woman
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 // She says America doesn't need fancy ancient histories
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!" // Everyone's welcome in America



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