Thomas and Beulah is a book of poems by American poet Rita Dove

Rita Dove

Rita Frances Dove is an American poet and author. From 1993-1995 she served as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, a position now popularly known as "U.S. Poet Laureate"...

 that tells the semi-fictionalized chronological story of her maternal grandparents, the focus being on her grandfather (Thomas, his name in the book as well as in real life) in the first half and her grandmother (named Beulah in the book, although her real name was Georgianna) in the second. It won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize

Pulitzer Prize

The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...

 for poetry.

Contents

I. Mandolin Mandolin A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... The Event Variation on Pain Jiving Straw Hat Courtship Refrain Variation on Guilt Nothing Down The Zeppelin Factory Under the Viaduct, 1932 Lightnin' Blues Compendium Definition in the Face of Unnamed Fury Aircraft Aurora Borealis Variation on Gaining a Son One Volume Missing The Charm Gospel Roast Possum The Stroke The Satisfaction Coal Company Thomas at the Wheel

II. Canary in Bloom Taking in Wash Magic Courtship, Diligence Promises Dusting A Hill of Beans Weathering Out Motherhood Anniversary The House on Bishop Street Daystar Obedience The Great Palaces of Versailles Pomade Headdress Sunday Greens Recovery Nightmare Wingfoot Lake Company The Oriental Ballerina

Chronology

External links

• Online poem, Straw Hat, from Thomas and Beulah by Rita Dove at alittlepoetry.com