Famous poets and poems

As part of the project, students were asked to research poems in English, and read at least one that really called their attention. After reading the choosen poem, they were asked to write briefly about why that poem had interested them and how they felt reading it. Below there are a couple of poems and student's impressions.

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may tread me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Maya Angelou - 1978

This poem called my attention because I had never seen a poem about how lies can change the story of people, and what happens when someone uses lies to change someone’s public life. Lucas Vulcano 2EC5

STILL I RISE

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may tread me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Maya Angelou 1978

My opinion: When I read the poem I had a different interpretation of the author.The author talks about oppression, racism, despite understanding her vision, I read the poem thinking about a general context.The author speaks “You can step on the dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise”, for me it is showing an empowerment, for example, If I fall, I'll get up and I'll make whatever I dream, or want. Lara Dantas - 2EC3

There is another sky

There is another sky,

Ever serene and fair,

And there is another sunshine,

Though it be darkness there;

Never mind faded forests, Austin,

Never mind silent fields -

Here is a little forest,

Whose leaf is ever green;

Here is a brighter garden,

Where not a frost has been;

In its unfading flowers

I hear the bright bee hum:

Prithee, my brother,

Into my garden come!

by Emily Dickinson

This poem called my attention because it brings the idea of hope and positive thinking. Reading it made me feel comfortable as an experienced person is taking care and protecting the reader. Giovana Misailidis 2EC5

"Holy Sonnet X: Death be not proud"

Death be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,

For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,

Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,

Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,

Rest of their bones, and souls deliverie.

Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,

And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,

And better than thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;

One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

When I saw this poem, the first thing that called my attention was the title: “Death be not proud”. Its name is "Holy Sonnet X: Death be not proud" and it was written on the 16th century by the poet John Donne, which explains the usage of old English words like “canst”, “thou” and etc. The lyric is about death and how the kings send poor men to fight in the war and die, because those kings think that dying in war is honor for the country. Enzo Nuti - 2EC3