blog 20

The analytical side of poetry is one of the more difficult aspects of the form. Having to find the hidden meaning and what the author is trying to convey is not always the easiest or most straight forward path. Sometimes research and looking beyond the most obvious meaning is necessary. Finding the authors background and history helps the reader understand their true meaning.in "Harlem" by Langston Hughes, it is a commentary on the big dreams and beliefs black americans invested into the New York suburb. He is well versed in that culture as he was a native of there for many years.

Blog 19

The creation of our new forms in class worked rather well. Most everyone had a strong, quality poem to present as well as had success with the sestina's. The sestina is a form that could work extremely well with children or in song form. The repetition of the same ending lines throughout gives it a base that the reader can always come back to. The reader will never far too far away from the subject at hand and this form works really well. Sestina's are not that complictaed and with work will become a favorite form to conquer and explore with.

Blog 18

As I'm sitting here and listening to "Reasonable Doubt", I'm not sure there is a more perfectly constructed hip hop album. This is not to knock my other favorites like "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" or "Aquemini" but RD epitomizes such a feeling and emotion that the other albums just can't reach. The tension and paranoia is palpable throughout from the first track all the way to "Regrets". It's as if Jay Z left his street life or the life he had lived prior to becoming a rapper on a Wednesday, and all his emotions come pouring out on a Thursday. It's genuinely fresh and raw, very much a therapy session to a beat. The highs and lows of criminal life and success are prevalant. "Brooklny's Finest" is any classic day at a lunch room, with two friends battling over a nice beat. "Politics as Usual" is a bitter track warning of the perils of street negotiations. "Can I Live" is a plea to simply leave him alone. "Friend or Foe" is my favorite track. It's only 1:30 minutes long but is the ultimate track of arrogance as you can almost imagine his enemy withering in his presence and at his verbose. When I listen to this album, its puts you in such a mood that shows the highs and lows of life and how to make it.

Blog 16

Picnic, Lightning is a perfect example of how an author used his seemingly ordinary surroundings to create a piece of work that is accessible to a large audience. The work and craft dedicated to finding beatuy and depth in everything around you is commendable. The blend of contemporary objects and exquistite descriptions is extraordinary. I also thought that the way he was able to pull from his own personal background helped him as his work and experiences were not too foreign to readers. Being able to relate is a curcial element in poetry and is often overlooked while poets strive to out word each other in some ways. It gets lost while authors strive to find words, empty words, to boost there own masterpiece to Shakespearean levels, while leaving the common fan in the dust, left to dissect an over indulged piece on thier own greatness.As a writer, finding that perfect balance is key and something that I aspire to do. Regular, everyday life is as beauty as the glorious amount of words and trappings of education that we have become accustmed to.

Blog:15

Creating a new form is one that has proved to be an exciting experience. When first presented with this challenge, it seemed rather daunting to have to find a new space in the poetic cannon as numerous ways to conquer poetry have been created. However, the task became less monumentous as time elapsed. The most difficult part about creating a new form is taking it serious in the literary cannon. The easiest thing to do when presented with a new idea or thought is to dismiss it as rubbish and try to find something similar, a precedence to cling to to make their travels through this new form more comfortable. When I was presented with my form for class, I fervently searched for something, anything similiar in style to make it easier in my construction of my poem. Alas, I was unable to find anything. However, after giving it a fair chance, the form really is unique and something that I might consider for future use.

blog:14

Whenever you are in doubt
Please know this
God loves you and all his children

Blog 13

Structure plays such a huge role in poetry. Especially some of the language used. Its a fine balance between being overly poetic and too common. I've often been in a predicament when I did not know whether to flex my muscles and use foreign and what I'd consider, elite language. Or, rather, play it safe to my audience and compose something easily comprehendable. The form of poetry to some extent calls for some creative muscle. But how much should you use at the risk of alientating readers? Or, is the reader held to some accountability to know that this piece may call for a more intellectual effort than a regular poem or prose?

Blog #12

I have learned that I am a fan of the pantoum. This past week, we had to create one centered around a list of objects and phrases and I actually found it to be quite fun and entertaing. The format of the pantoum is the biggest thing that attracts me to it. The repetition throughout and the way it all weaves together gives it a continuous feel, that the poem is making constant movement and always finding a way from stanza to stanza. They seem linked much better than other poems. In some ways, its almost a droning flow to it, with you knowing that a line you read earlier has a good possiblitity of returning at any given moment. In the future, this a form that I will explore more in depth with. I believe that stories can be told in this format better than others as it will seem like a thesis constantly repeats and you will never lose focus on the topic at hand, or what the author is describing. Thie refrain is similar to a song and helps you keep focus. The pantoum is definately a form that I will use in the future for future poems and am excited to find other examples for future work.

Blog: 11

Respectfully submitted to those continuing the fight
With unyielding force
And tenacity to boot
Thank you for your love and heart

Blog #10

Poems take on different personalities depending not only who writes them, but who reads them. It truly is in the eye of the beholder. One poem that we read this week was mine. My poem focused on two different relationships and how they compare and contrast to one another. The class generally saw it as one relationship or rather, the decline of a relationship. It was a comparative between two very different relationships.

Blog #9

The importance of how a poem is arranged and formatted is paramount to the piece of work. One shining example this was my guardian Cydney. Cydney s poem this week focused on how alcohol and the total amount of drinks can affect ones actions and mood.She broke up the poem in stanzas like "Drink 1 Drink 2". This continued out through the poem and finally, towards the end, they all hit her at once. This simulates how alcohol acts and comes back at once.

Blog #8

I'm Only Sleeping

The Beatles

"I'm Only Sleeping" by The Beatles is one of my favorite Beatles and John Lennon songs of all time. It's very hazy in content and could almost be interpreted in a drug induced haze. Really, its just a plea to be left alone and get some rest. I relate to this song so well, because now a days im so busy that all i really want is just an hour nap or a full nights rest. I feel burdened by everything and sometimes its hard to get a handle on it all. But, through it all I just want some sleep. Lennon felt the same way. After years of recording and touring, he had grown weary of the day to day management of being a Beatle. All he wanted was a little time off.