Childhood Memories

            Gwendolyn Brooks channels memories from her childhood in the poem, "A Song in the Front Yard".  She discusses how as a child she was never allowed to leave the front yard. She states, "I've stayed in the front yard all my life," referencing how strict her mother is (line 1). Her mother cares for her and has set rules and she shares how she was fascinated by the children who did not have to "go in a quarter to nine" (line 12). Brooks experience is a common one for black children who have strict parents, everyone know that you have to beat the street light on or you will get in big trouble. She also shares how she wish she could be like the prostitutes who walk the street. She describes them in a flattering way, "wear the black stockings of night- black lace / and strut down the streets with paint on my face," Brooks found strength  in the prostitutes and their ability to be seen in such a racy way.

Joys of Motherhood

In the poem, Morning Song, Sylvia Plath discusses the joys of motherhood and all the wonders that it brings. Plath goes from the birth of her child and how time starts when a child is born. She states that, "Love set you going like a fat gold watch," sharing how the child is a luxury of time and how deep her love is for it (1). As time progresses from the birthing room to her home she shares how even the little incidents that are usually seen as disturbances she does with joy. "One cry, and I stumble from my bed, cow-heavy and floral/ In my Victorian nightgown," is an example of such incidents that is ironic in a sense (13-14). Plath is well dressed for bed in a gown that is elegant sleepwear, but gets out of bed in an allusion of a cow. She then skips ahead further by talking about her child's development in education. The whole poem shows how her life has been changed for the better when she had her child.

What is the Meaning of This

Philip Larkin's poem, Sunny Prestatyn, is disturbing in that it depicts the defacing of a poster with graphic illustrations that are the result of grotesque actions by different men. A poster that was placed on the wall as a way to invite people to a seaside resort in North Wales and possibly cheer up anyone who may come to pass it is used by the locals in a wholly different manner. The once beautiful girl that sat in an image of paradise urging people to leave and join her, "with a hunk of coast, a /Hotel with palms" behind her and goes through a series of defiling changes that eventually led to an image that is not of a woman nor any other recognizable human (5-6). The only thing left to question is the last line, "Now Fight Cancer is there," one wonders if it is a sarcastic statement written to be another insult on women in general and their abilities or if it is simply someone trying to correct all the negative thoughts that man had displayed on one poster with something positive?

Covering Up History

Robert Lowell's poem, For the Union Dead, would lead one to believe that this poem is a dedication to all the men who lost their lives fighting to save the union and end slavery during the Civil War. But, Lowell specifically writes about the black soldiers who were the first African American regiment organized in a free state who died defending the country and freedom and whose monument is now being turned into a parking garage. Lowell speaks with discontent as he describes what he is observing and tells the story of the men who died alongside their commander, who are not getting the respect they deserve. His dissatisfaction is expressed we he shares how a photograph of Hiroshima and how the "Rock of Ages" is in town and not being covered up, but the history of great African American is alongside a declining black population (54-60. Lowell complains of something that is all too common in history, black people who are the missing elements who helped shape this nation.  

Fighting for Freedom

The poem, "The Fish," by Elizabeth Bishop can have two meanings and interpretations but is more than likely a mixture of both. The poem tells the story of a fish being caught and let go again, which can literally mean that the this occurred. Bishop is known to write poems about nature and landscapes and the fish can possibly be just a story or something that she experienced. On the other hand the story of this fish could allude to something more personal. Bishop could be describing herself in that she has been held by society but somehow continues to be set free. The fish in the story is described as having in his mouth, "hung five old pieces of fish-line," showing that the fish was resilient and fought for his freedom (51). The most likely case is that the poem is a mixture of both nature and personal experience. Bishop probably did catch a fish and saw the results of many fights to survive in it and let the fish go because it reminded her of herself.

Common Occurrences that Shape Us

The poem, "The Hunchback in the Park," by Dylan Thomas resonates most with me in comparison with all the other poems provided by this poet. It does not have any dark ideas about death  or mourning which I find to be more pleasant. It is noted that this poem is based on real life experiences from Thomas' childhood which is different and welcomed because most poets discuss their youth in vague idealized manners but Thomas in this case just speaks of experiences in the park. The hunchback something that is exemplified as ugly and grotesque in this case seems refined even though he is homeless. Thomas states that the man stood "straight and tall from his crooked bones," alluding to his character (34). The children in this poem are described as innocent but do evil things to the good man, something that is just nodded off as children not knowing the true pain their actions may cause. This poem says a lot about society and how people can be ignorant to things they do not understand and see something for less than its true value.

It is Within You

The poem, The Perfect High, is unique for the poet we have all grown to love, Shel Silverstein. It has the same nursery rhyme feel but with a completely different story than what one would share with children. The main character is a junkie who tries every drug imaginable in search for the perfect drug that will give him the best high. Gimmesome Roy is a name that fits with most of Silverstein's characters, a name that fits the character and is unusual for any common person. The poem has a underlying message, which is the perfect high of life resides within each of us. The guru states in the last line of stanza three, 'Son, if you would seek the perfect high- find it in yourself,' basically sharing that all this time Roy has been searching for something through substance abuse that has basically cost him his life when all the while it has already been with him.