"Abecedarian Requiring Further Examination of Anglikan Seraphym Subjugation of a Wild Indian Reservation" by Natalie Diaz
7 September 2017
#3: What is the speaker's tone? Which words reveal this tone? Is the poem ironic?
The speaker's tone in the poem is grave. The speaker talks about never seeing an angel on the Indian reservation because angels were white while Native Americans were not. The speaker brings to light that the last time the Native Americans believed they were receiving an angel from the sea they had instead been killed in mass amounts and marched to reservations. The Native Americans had lost their land and culture due to European invaders which is why angels were no good for them, as angels are supposed to bring blessings which is far from what the Native Americans experienced. Words such as "quit bothering with angels... they're no good for Indians" and "truth is, there may be angels, but if there are angels ... we're better off if they stay rich and fat and ugly and 'xactly where they are-in their own distant heavens" (Diaz) reveal the author's grave tone. The Native Americans were never respected by the Europeans which leads the speaker to think they are better off on their own, without any angels.
"Do You Have Any Advice For Those of Us Just Starting Out" by Ron Koertege
26 September 2017
#8: What is the theme (the central idea) if this poem? Can you state it in a single sentence?
The theme of this poem is to live your life to the fullest and enjoy it as much as possible. The author advises the reader to leave their job and explore and travel the world. The author also encourages writing you adventures down in a simple notebook, preferably a cheap childish one that invokes happiness. The author states one should observe a small child build a book tower and watch them grow happier as the size of the tower increases, and when the tower falls observe how much the child laughs. The author is implying that one must seek the simple things in life and see how beautiful they are. The child is pleased by a basic thing and to them it means the world as they know so little. Once one has explored and laughed their heart out, they should repeat this cycle over again. By following this cycle one can find happiness and uniqueness in life compared to a mundane, generic life.
"At the Un-National Monument Along the Canadian Border" by William E. Stafford
3 October 2017
#7: Are there any symbols? What do they mean? Are they universal symbols or do they arise from the context of this poem?
The field in this poem is a symbol of peace in a violent world. The author is conveying that this forgotten field had no battles fought there, nor any lives lost unlike most places we learn of where monuments are erected. People find it irrelevant because nothing has occurred there besides the presence of nature. Monuments are erected in remembrance of something and the author is questioning why we do not make monuments for places with nothing negative to remember, but instead monuments of peace. The field is a universal symbol because worldwide there are a multitudes of locations where nothing of importance has occurred and the author is attempting to bring some attention to these otherwise ignored spots.
"Did I Miss Anything" by Tom Wayman
17 October 2017
#3: What is the speaker's tone? Which words reveal this tone? Is the poem ironic?
The speaker's tone in this poem is sarcastic. The speaker becomes frustrated when a student, who missed a day of school, asks the elementary question of if they missed anything. The speaker could not verbally lash out and freely express their thoughts on the question so the reader instead observes their thoughts in this poem. The speaker most likely gets asked this question often and has become tired of hearing it. The speaker bounces in between saying the student missed "nothing" and "everything." Words such as "take as many days off as you like" and "none of the content of this course has any value or meaning" reveal the speaker's sarcastic tone. The poem is not ironic because the speaker's response is not the opposite of what they intend to say but instead are their direct thoughts.
"Dorie off to Atlanta" by Mark Halliday
14 November 2017
#10: How important is the contribution of form, such as rhyme scheme and line arrangement? How does form influence the overall effect of the poem?
The line arrangement of this poem is sporadic and includes many breaks in the texts, seen from the frequent "..." format. These ellipses are pauses in the conversation a character is having on the phone. The reader only witnesses one side of this conversation but can conclude that the character has established a solid relationship and is ready to take it to the next level. The pauses in the phone call, as well as the interruptions from the other conversationist, create a relatable situation for the reader. The author intended for the reader to reflect and recall a time in which they too were enwrapped in a phone call or a time when they had strong feelings for someone else. The similarity between the poem and real life is what intrigues the reader and allows them to draw connections between their life and the poem.
"The Farewell" by Edward Field
7 November 2017
#4: What heavily connotative words are used? What words have unusual or special meanings? Are any words or phrases repeated? If so, why? Which words do you need to look up?
The words "coolly" and "erectly" have cold connotations. "Coolly" can be associated with someone rude and snappy towards others. "Erectly" can be associated with a stiff posture. "Trusting" has a special meaning as the speaker implies by believing in others too much they have destined themselves to doom. The word "goodbye" is repeated in this poem as the speaker moves on from one life to the next. The speaker placed his trust in the wrong places and as a result must pay the consequences with his life. The word "imperturbable" was a new word and its definition is unable to be upset or excited; calm.
"Poetry" by Don Paterson
11 January 2018
#7: Are there any symbols? What do they mean? Are they universal symbols or do they arise from the context of the poem?
The diamond in this poem is a symbol for a love for writing poetry. Paterson says the diamond kept its spark meaning it started somewhere from just a spark, similar to a love for poetry. Paterson goes on to say that a poet keeps writing because they wish to, otherwise their work will become forced and mundane. The symbols arise from the context of this poem as Paterson is discussing his love for poetry and how meaningful it is to him. Diamonds tend to be strong pieces therefore the author is referencing how his love for poetry is as strong as a diamond.
"One Morning" by Eamon Grennan
23 January 2018
#3: What is the speaker's tone? Which words reveal this tone? Is the poem ironic?
This poem has a reflective tone. The author recollects an oceanside walk and recollects things he saw that day. Words such as "found" in the past tense and "morning after" can affirm the story took place in the past and the author is now reflecting back on it. The poem includes a description of a dead sea otter and a couple having their breakfast today. The poem is not ironic because the author is not trying to relay a parallel meaning to the poem, nor have any sarcasm. The poem is direct and and a recollection of a past day.
"Hand Shadows" by Mary Cornish
8 February 2018
#3: What is the speaker's tone? Which words reveal this tone? Is the poem ironic?
The speaker's tone of this poem is nostalgic. The poem appears to reflect on a time when a child was camping with their father and making hand shadows. Words such as "my father's hand became" shows the nostalgic tone as it is past tense showing the speaker is reflecting back on time. In addition, the words "they flew following one another" implies the speaker's father could have passed away and they are therefore thinking back to a time in which they were bonding. This poem is not ironic because the speaker is simply recollecting past events that occurred. There is no intention of sarcasm in the poem, nor any underlying meanings being conveyed.
"She Didn't Mean to Do It" by Daisy Fried
13 February 2018
#2: Who is the speaker (persona) in the poem? How would you describe this persona?
The speaker of this poem is a remorseful, somber girl. Due to a series of tragic events the girl appears to be inflicted with a deep sadness. The author repetitively mentions that the speaker is sad and that she didn't mean to do something. The girl made a decision in the past that was seemed like a good idea at the time but the consequences of the decision has left grave effects on the speaker. The speaker was attracted to a type of "thrill" which she later regretted. The poem highlights how "thrills" can be tempting to follow in the heat of a moment but they only last a certain amount of time. The consequences, however, could potentially last forever.
"Thanks for Remembering Us" by Dana Giola
22 March 2018
#8: What is the theme (the central idea) of this poem? Can you state it in a single sentence?
The theme of this poem is that tensions between a couple can quickly be made but to have trust and faith in one's significant other. The author mentions the delivery of flowers to their home and how at first they were laughed off and checked with others to see if they were delivered to the wrong home. Then the author speaks on how the couple begins wondering if the other is having an affair and someone else sent the flowers. This leads to increased tensions between the two, even though there is no other proof to an affair, just thoughts. Therefore the author is trying to convey that one should not be paranoid about their partner's actions and should have faith in them.
"Grammar" by Tony Hoagland
15 March 2018
#6: What figures of speech are used? How do they contribute to the tone and meaning of the poem?
The author uses similes, metaphors, and alliteration. To begin with, a simile is used when the author states, "smiles like a big cat." A metaphor is used to compare bees and sexual relationships when the author says, "the bees, if they were here, would buzz suspiciously around her hair." The author uses alliteration when he says, "weekend with" and "when she walks." These figures of speech help the reader understand that the character (Maxine) is up to something mischievous as that is what big cat smiles are associated with. The reader can piece together from the metaphor with the bees and the fact that Maxine was with her boyfriend that she has some degree of sexual relations with him. The tone of this poem is encouraging as the figures of speech have positive connotations and are not judgmental.