I went blog surfing this evening. I know someone in Dr. Jerz's thinking and writing class, and I was very interested in a writing he had. It was about the education system and student's views on failure and dropping out. This essay was required reading for them and he had a very strong opinion towards what the author had said. I will have a link to his blog and that comment, after I ask the student's permission.
Why does my heart weigh so much
Why does it hurt when I never feel a touch
Why is it tough to live in this life
And Why does it cause so much pain and strife
Why do I pray to God up above
Why is the hardest thing to feel love
Why is my world torn completely apart
And Why is the worst pain in my heart
Why am I dying inside alone
Why do I feel like there is no one home
Why am I so close yet so far from the end
And Why when I look can I not find a friend
Why is the pain like a drill inside me
Why is it killing me and no one can see
Why am I alone with no one to care
And Why does it never seem fair
Why does my heart feel empty
Why are friendships more important to me
Why am I here and for what reason alive
And Why do I want to just curl up and die
Today I did a poetry slam on Emily Dickinson's two poems "Like some old-fashioned miracle," and "We should not mind so small a flower". I hate reading other people's poetry, because as a poet myself I don't think it is possible for anyone to know what the poet meant by a particular section, or someone knowing how a poem should be read. I hate having other's read my poetry unless i read it out loud to them so the inflection, the meaning, and the flow should go. I think that poets have there own voice and that it is difficult for someone else to come up with that on their own.
Although I hate having other people read my poems I am going to place a few on here randomly just to give you guys some insight to me. Also to let you guys know so you don't think I am depressed or psychotic :-) my poems are best written at high points of emotion in my life, so this first poem was written when I was in a bad mood, enjoy!
We should not mind so small a flower,
Except it quite bring
Our little garden that we lost
Back to the lawn again.
So spicy her Carnations red,
So drunken reel her Bees,
So silver steal a hundred Flutes,
From out a hundred trees,
That whoso sees this little flower,
By faith may clear behold
The Bobolinks around the throne,
And Dandelions gold.
----------Emily Dickinson
Like some old-fashioned miracle
When Summertime is done,
Seems Summer's recollection
And the affairs of June.
As infinite tradition
As Cinderella's bays,
Or little John of Lincoln Green,
Or Bluebeard's galleries.
Her Bees have a fictious hum,
Her Blossoms, like a dream,
Elate-- until we almost weep
So plausible they seem.
Her Memories like strains-- review--
When Orchestra is dumb,
The Violin in baize replaced
And Ear and Heaven numb.
--------Emily Dickinson
In the final chapters of the Scarlet Letter, as discussed in class, my attention was focused on Hester's love for her daughter. We had a very strong debate in class about how Hester and Pearl's connection was a strong bond between mother and child. Everyone knows that a mother and her child have a bond that can not be severred, but the connection between this particular bond was stronger than anyone could have guessed. Hester treasured her Pearl, and Pearl loved her mother, they were each other's safety. The one was nothing without the other. Pearl fought for her mother and Hester fought to keep her daughter, the two would have been lost without the other. Hester was a strong person because she raised her child alone, with the entire town waiting for her to screw up. The reason Hester was so strong is because she had no choice, her daughter was her responsibility, and she had to raise her no matter what. She took that responsibility and did what she had to.
Pearl saw that strength from the very beginning. Pearl's little mind could not grasp the concept of why her mother went through what she did, but that is because her mother did not tell her the basis behind it. Hester kept from her daughter the one thing that held their bond together, the reason for their bond's existence. I think that Hester and Pearl would have been even closer if Pearl knew why her mother was dealing with the ridicule, and exactly what the punishment was for. Hester hid from her daughter something that I feel would have given Pearl a better idea of the life she was a part of.
I understand why Hester did not tell Pearl who her father was, because children can not keep things that are said in private, quiet. But she still could have explained to her daughter what the "A" was. Also there was a point brouhgt up in discussion that Pearl was receiving baby clothes in the mail from her mother, this leads me to believe that maybe, because of Hester keeping her secret, that Pearl has gone and done the same thing.
I feel Hester and Pearl's bond was strong and yes it was the only way the two could have survived the life they lived, but I feel it would have been stronger if the truth was laid out for the two to become more understanding of each other and how to keep your strength and be able to survive.
The Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge, was a very interesting piece. It was very descriptive, but the descriptions helped the story along. The bridge was a unique word for me to find in this story because I chose to look at it as a connection. This connection was between the main character, Peyton Farquhar's, life and his death. Also the connection between the extremely short period before he died, and his entire life. The bridge connected him to another lifestyle, or elaborated on his lifestyle. Ambrose Bierce used this connection to show what Farquhar was like in life, or what he wished he was like. I was so intrigued in this story that I couldn't put it down until I was finished. But I was too intrigued in the adventure to really grasp the concept of it being all a dream. Which made me angry when I was finished, because I was pulling for Peyton to make it home. I think that Bierce used a unique writing style in keeping the audience captivated until he was ready for the story to end, I liked this short story, and would reread it to figure out why I was so intrigued, and catch the points that show it is not reality.
Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is one of my favorite books. I read it in my 11th grade Honors English class. So this is a great refresher for me, not only because I really enjoy this book but because this time around I will pick up on things that I have missed the first time. I am excited to reread this book. Plus I am excited to hear everyone's views on this so anyone who wants to post anything feel free.
Poe's The Raven
This poem was a very interesting read. I enjoyed delving into Poe's mind as he sat in his chair listening to the Raven, squawk and crow. This poem, as difficult as Poe can be at times, was not that hard of a read. His rest was disturbed by a knocking at his door, but instead of ignoring the bother he got up to see what was there. Again the noise came, and he called out to the intruder for an answer.
Amanda's Guidlines for new blog users...Thanks Amanda for borrowing this from Julie and for helping me know the Do's and Don't's of Blogging.