TOP 5 bESt poems & responses
The Lost Generation ***** By: Jonathan Reed I am part of a lost generation and I refuse to believe that I can change the world I realize this may be a shock but “Happiness comes from within.” is a lie, and “Money will make me happy.” So in 30 years I will tell my children they are not the most important thing in my life My employer will know that I have my priorities straight because work is more important than family I tell you this Once upon a time Families stayed together but this will not be true in my era This is a quick fix society Experts tell me 30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce I do not concede that I will live in a country of my own making In the future Environmental destruction will be the norm No longer can it be said that My peers and I care about this earth It will be evident that My generation is apathetic and lethargic It is foolish to presume that There is hope. |
Sometimes life is not the way it seems. People usually think one way about how life works but others can think differently. Jonathan Reed’s poem, Lost Generation, captures the reality of how the world really works. With the use of diction and tone, Reed indicates that people think life will turn out to be the way others say but it doesn’t turn out that way all the time. Reed’s speaker begins the poem by straightforwardly saying, “I realize this may be a shock.” The speaker’s choice of words suggests that what he will be announcing throughout the poem will be something big that will leave people impacted. It is as if the speaker is preparing the reader to make sure they will take his opinion in a positive way. The tone is gentle and careful towards the reader, it recommends the reader to watch out for what is coming because it can leave them surprised. However, in the lines that follow, the speaker’s tone changes, signifying that what the speaker is going to say will leave them mind blown. Starting with the lines 5-9 the speaker’s tone changes from gentle and careful to being frank: “Happiness comes from within.” Is a lie, and “Money will make me happy.” So in 30 years I will tell my children they are not the most important thing in my life. The speaker is being direct to the reader by letting them know that every thing people say is a lie. He indicates that while people say one thing others believe it and it’s affecting the way normality is. People are saying that when they reach their maximum lifestyle they will be happy with what they have and they will no longer care about others (children etc.). Usually humans have a place for all of that but the responsibility of having a child is what comes first. The speaker identifies that with all the lies people are getting, they are starting to believe it and not live by how life really works. As the poem progresses, the speaker grows more frank on how he is realizing that people think differently now a days. The speaker grows more frank by letting people know that this world is not working as it used to be. Often people would follow how others are living their life but here they have chosen to do whatever they feel like. The speaker directs all he is saying towards the people that are choosing to live differently. He indicates that this is not the way people should live. The speaker says: “Once upon a time Families stayed together but this will not be true in my era This is a quick fix society Experts tell me 30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of my divorce.” (16-22) The speaker explains how life used to be and how it is turning out to be after a dramatic change. He expresses him self by showing the way life should really look like and how it is going to turn out. I find it weird how he mentions experts, how are people predicting this is going to happen? Is there a way to stop it from happening? I think that it’s already meant to happen but maybe there can be a way to undo what is going on. The use of diction the speaker chose, expresses that he is concerned on what will happen to the world because he says, “It is foolish to presume that there is hope.” I guess he was hoping for a change but because of the way people are handling this situation they are contradicting his word of changing what is going on. In the poem Lost Generation, Reed explores society’s influence on a change that can affect many people. The speaker’s reaction towards the drastic change makes the tone and diction become stronger throughout the poem. The tone and diction make the mood for the reader surprised because of the way the speaker decided to connect everything together. |
In Cities, Be Alert*****
BY Annie Finch You may hear that your heartbeat is uneven and let new tension climb around your shoulders, thinking you've found the trick for going mad. But try to keep a grip on where you are. Remember: all around you is pure city; try to stay alert. On the wide streets, so empty late at night, streaking in glass, the color of an alley, or the fall of a sideways flicker from a neon sign may utterly and briefly disconcert you-- but as you go, you'll find that noise is worse. Prepare for noise. But never scream. Even tensing ears too far in advance can sharpen sirens, and as for horns. ... When you're back to your normal rhythm after such encounters, just try to stay alert. You'll never know exactly who is coming up behind you, but the sudden movement of pedestrians will finally, of course, be what disarms you. |
People will always find trouble anywhere they go. People such as parents teach younger ones how to manage their life outside- in the real world. Its all part of being humans, we all have to learn how to live our lives outside of our parents nest. Annie Finch’s poem, In Cities Be Alert, shows that sometimes people get scared with the thought of growing up and starting to live in the real world. Through diction and tone, Finch illustrates that part of growing up is to be careful with your surroundings because not everything is what it seems.
Finch begins her poem candidly showing how the person feels. For example she says, “You may hear that your heartbeat is uneven.” The speaker shows that with the thought of leaving and learning to live on her own she is already startled with the idea. Having your heartbeat uneven shows that people are nervous to what will happen. She probably has never taken a huge step like this one before. The tone is light and calm, the speaker views this as something usual that it can happen to anyone. However, in the stanzas that continue afterwards the speaker’s tone changes into more instructive showing that at all times she has to stay alert and be careful. In the second stanza, the speaker’s tone changes from light and calm to informative and direct. For example, when she says, “Remember: all around you is pure city; try to stay alert.” The speaker is informing the person to be sure that even if its a glamorous place they have to be cautious with their surroundings. Occasionally people in a new place would get distracted with all the things a place has to give but, if thats the case people have to be watchful of themselves. I wonder how the speaker feels? Are they stressed out or calm? The speaker seems concerned by not knowing how the person will do by herself. Its like when a mom lets their child out with friends without their supervision. As the poem advances the speaker turns more directing, and instructive. In the last two stanzas, the speaker continues being instructive to the person who is learning to live on their own. The speaker shows this by making sure that she is being careful: “When you're back to your normal rhythm after such encounters, just try to stay alert. You'll never know exactly who is coming up behind you, but the sudden movement of pedestrians will finally, of course, be what disarms you.” The speaker directs it at the person to make sure that she is receiving all her suggestions. She gives all the reasons to why she should be careful in a big city. The speaker is giving advice like the ones parents give to their children, to watch out for people because you never know who they really are. I wasn’t so sure when she said “what disarms you” I thought it meant when something weakens you. I paraphrased it and it did made sense, since sometimes pedestrians can be dangerous if they do anything to you, thats what will make you weak. This does actually happen in the real world so perhaps that is why the speaker included it to make sure the person is open eyed. In the poem In Cities Be Alert, Finch describes all the ways that people should be careful when they are discovering a new place. The speaker's tone and diction indicates that people should be attentive to what goes around them. She shows the positive things to a city but at the same time the ways it can affect certain people. The repetition of “just try to stay alert” suggests to the person to be thoughtful of what’s happening because at any time and at any place anything can happen. |
Dreams ****
By Langston Hughes Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. |
People have to learn to accomplish their dreams. Part of being a human is to have many dreams and believe that you can reach them. Langston Hughes’s poem, Dreams, indicates that people have to hold on to their most precious dreams and to make them become reality. Through the used of diction and tone, Hughes indicates that people have to learn to accomplish their dreams because if they don’t they will be devastated and broken.
Hughes’s speaker starts of the poem by straightly saying, “Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die.” The speakers use of the words “If dreams die.” Suggests that if people do not get to accomplish their dreams, dreams will die and become just a thought. It is as if the speaker is talking about himself and reflecting on what has happend to him, and he wants to make sure it won’t happen to any one else. The tone is blunt indicating that people have to be able to chase after their dreams and accomplish them. Despite, in the lines that follow the speaker’s tone turns more instructive. Starting with the lines 2-4 the speaker’s tone changes from blunt to instructive. For example when s/he says, “For if dreams die life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” The speaker is showing that if people do not get the chance to make their dreams come true, they will eventually die and people won’t be able to accomplish them any more. Usually it’s a human’s instinct if they have a dream they will do anything to reach it but, the speaker seems concerned for people that don’t have those expectations. The speaker’s tone suggests that he is pushing people to make their dreams a reality. As the poem progresses the speaker turns more instructive to make sure people follow his advice. Towards the ending of the poem the speaker keeps his tone of instructive. The speaker says, “Hold fast to dreams for when dreams go life is a barren field frozen with snow.” The speaker grows more instructive towards the reader to make sure that they have to take his suggestions to realize their dreams. He says this because occasionally when people don’t follow their dreams they will feel that they did not work hard enough, and they will feel left out and lonely. The speaker directs his instructiveness towards people that feel that they won’t be able to make their dreams come true. He suggests that any dream can come true but people have to put their own effort on it also. In the poem Dream, Hughes explores that everyone should try to make their dreams come true and that they should do it fast. The speakers change in tone and choice of words depicts that sometimes people fear that they will not be able to make their dreams a reality but people have to try hard so it can come true and that will become a true accomplishment. |
A Poison Tree****
By: William Blake I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I watered it in fears, Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night, Till it bore an apple bright. And my foe beheld it shine. And he knew that it was mine, And into my garden stole When the night had veiled the pole; In the morning glad I see My foe outstretched beneath the tree. |
Sometimes life is not what you thought it would be. As humans we sometimes make mistakes and it can often affect certain people with the actions we make. William Blake’s poem, A Poisson Tree, shows that people can be different then what they seem. With the help of tone and diction, Blake indicates that even if you are friends with a person they won’t always be friendly all the time.
Blake’s speaker begins the poem by straightly saying, “I was angry with my friend.” The speaker’s choice of word “angry” suggests that they are mad with someone because they probably did something that offended them. It is like the speaker is not afraid to show the anger he has with this friend of his. The tone is dramatic because of the way the speaker decided to start right away with a problem. Though in the stanzas that follow the speaker changes to accusing his friend by the way he is expressing himself. Beginning with the third stanza, the speaker’s tone changes from dramatic to accusing. For example when he says, “And my foe beheld it shine. And he knew that it was mine.” The speaker accuses his foe that he has stolen something that belongs to him. It seems like its an object that he really adored for him to be accusing his friend for just an apple. It doesn’t make sense to why the speaker would be fighting for an apple he grew. It is not something that can be life or death, so why care for it so much? Probably that apple had significance towards the speaker and it might’ve been personal. The speaker’s accusations turn stricter and it feels like he would do anything to have it back by his side. In the last stanza the speaker shifts his tone of accusing to pleased. He says, “And into my garden he stole when the night had veiled the pole; in the morning I see my foe outstretched beneath the tree.” The speaker seems thankful to see that his foe is now dead. It is like if the weight is lifted of his chest because what “his friend” did to him was unforgivable. Sometimes when people do anything like this in the real world for just a simple thing they would either feel completely terrible about it or happy. In this case at least the speaker seems content that everything turned out the way he wanted it to be. In the poem A Poison Tree, Blake explores that when people steel an important object of a person anything can happen. The reaction of the person towards his foe made him take some bad actions but in the end he felt happy with what he got to accomplish. |
The Quiet World ****
By: Jeffrey McDaniel In an effort to get people to look into each other's eyes more, and also to appease the mutes, the government has decided to allot each person exactly one hundred and sixty-seven words, per day. When the phone rings, I put it to my ear without saying hello. In the restaurant I point at chicken noodle soup. I am adjusting well to the new way. Late at night, I call my long distance lover, proudly say I only used fifty-nine today. I saved the rest for you. When she doesn't respond, I know she's used up all her words, so I slowly whisper I love you thirty-two and a third times. After that, we just sit on the line and listen to each other breathe. |
Sometimes the actions a society takes can affect many people but they can get through it. Part of being a human being is to go through the actions a society makes you go through. Jeffrey McDaniel’s poem, The Quiet World, captures the struggles a person can go through when society makes a drastic change. Through the use of diction and tone, McDaniel illustrates that human beings can get passed a dramatic change in their life.
McDaniel’s speaker begins the poem by announcing, “The government has decided to allot each person exactly one hundred and sixty-seven words, per day.” The way of beginning a poem by starting of with a problem indicates that there will be several things that lead to getting passed it. It seems crazy to think that a government can make this type of decision. I don’t think this can be possible but the speaker of McDaniel makes it seem easy for people to handle. The tone used is dramatic because it seems impossible and something that probably people are desperate to stop. Though in the stanzas that follow the speaker’s tone changes to hopeful and loving. In the third stanza the speaker indicates that since they have a maximum limit of words, he saves his last words for his loved one. He says, “Late at night, I call my long distance lover, proudly I say I only used fifty-nine today I saved the rest for you.” It’s something really sweet for a person to do for someone they really love. This shows that he/she really cares for their loved one and that no matter if they don’t have enough words they’ll save their last ones for them. Usually in a relationship the two people call each other and say their last words before sleeping. In this poem they take that example but they put it in a more dramatic way by showing that people in that society have a limit of words. As the poem advances the speaker keeps talking about their loved one and how they react, though the speaker keeps the same tone. During the last stanza the speaker realizes that his loved one has used up all of their words but they still feel the same way for each other. The speaker says, “When she doesn’t respond, I know she’s used up all her word, so I slowly whisper I love you.” I wonder what his/her loved one used up their last words on, because it seems they might not care as much as them. I think that since they have such a small amount of words to use in one day, this person uses it wisely and chooses to do much more with her choice of words then to say something to their loved one. In the poem The Quiet World, McDaniel indicates how having a problem affects people daily. The tone and diction of this poem suggests that even though there is a problem people can still get through it, you just need to be strong and know that everything will be all right. |