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In the city of Chicago, there was a boy named Michael. Michael was a 15-year-old with a passion for billiards that burned within him. From a young age, he had been drawn to the green felt of pool tables, enchanted by the rhythmic dance of balls and the strategic intricacies of the game.

However, life had not been kind to Michael. Growing up in a rough neighborhood plagued by poverty and violence, he found solace and escape in the dimly lit pool halls that dotted the city. School was a challenge for him, as he struggled to find motivation and meaning in the conventional education system. The streets offered a different education, one that molded him into a street-smart and resilient young man.

On that particular day, as Michael and his friends found themselves at the pool club during school hours, he carried with him a burden of unseen troubles. Thoughts of a difficult home life and the constant struggle to make ends meet weighed heavily on his mind. As he focused on the billiard table, his eyes met the graceful figure of Gwendolyn Brooks in the archway.

In that moment, Michael's thoughts shifted from the game to the enigmatic woman before him. He was captivated by her presence, an ethereal beauty standing amidst the urban chaos. His mind spun with questions, wondering about the stories she carried within her, the hardships she may have faced, and the words she could weave into poetry. In Gwendolyn Brooks, he saw a reflection of his own struggle for self-expression, a yearning to break free from the confines of his circumstances.

As Michael continued his game, he couldn't help but wonder if his own life could be transformed into art, just as Gwendolyn Brooks had done with her poetry. In that moment, he made a silent promise to himself – to keep striving, to find his own voice, and to let the billiard balls be his poetic muse. Gwendolyn Brooks had become an emblem of hope, a reminder that even amidst adversity, beauty and artistry could flourish.

From that day forward, Michael's love for the game of pool intertwined with his desire to create something meaningful, something that would transcend the boundaries of his surroundings. And as he practiced his shots, his mind echoed with the poetic verses that Gwendolyn Brooks had ignited within him, a flame of inspiration that would guide him on his journey of self-discovery and artistic expression.

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Bent double, like old beggars under sacks

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Men marched asleep.

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Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time

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As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

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In all my dreams before my helpless sight,

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Behind the wagon that we flung him in,

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His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;

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Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,

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Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,

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To children ardent for some desperate glory,

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Dear Mr. Gerard Manley Hopkins,

As an admirer of your poetic genius, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you how the world has evolved since the time you wrote the powerful poem, "God's Grandeur." While it has been many years since you penned those words, the essence of your message still resonates deeply within the fabric of our existence.

In your poem, you speak of the magnificence of God's creation and lament the diminishing connection between humanity and the natural world. You capture the despair felt by witnessing the exploitation of Earth's resources and the resulting environmental degradation. Your words serve as a poignant reminder of our responsibility to protect the planet we live on.

I am sorry to tell you that the world has indeed changed since you wrote "God's Grandeur." While advancements in technology and industry have brought about many conveniences, they have also fueled a relentless pursuit of material gain and consumption. The consequences of our actions are evident in the climate crisis, deforestation, pollution, and the loss of countless species.

However, there is a glimmer of hope. Your words, though written in a different time, have found renewed relevance in the voices calling for environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. People around the world are awakening to the urgency of the situation and working towards restoring the harmony between humanity and nature.

Allow me to share five great quotes from "God's Grandeur" that I believe capture the essence of your message:

1. "The world is charged with the grandeur of God."
The inherent beauty and divine essence permeate every aspect of creation, reminding us of the intrinsic value of nature.

2. "Generations have trod, have trod, have trod."
Reflecting the impact of human activities over time, the repetition conveys the relentless exploitation of the Earth's resources.

3. "And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell."
Acknowledging humanity's role in tarnishing the purity of nature, the poem recognizes our responsibility for the environmental degradation.

4. "And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil."
The consequences of rampant industrialization and the pursuit of profit have scarred the Earth, obscuring its inherent beauty.

5. "Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings."
Even amidst the desolation, there is a sense of hope and restoration, as the divine presence continues to watch over the wounded Earth.

In response to your poem, I must express my profound agreement with your message. The world is indeed facing a critical juncture, and we must act collectively to address the environmental crisis. Your words serve as a rallying cry, urging us to recognize the intrinsic value of nature and to safeguard it for future generations.

It is crucial that we strive for a sustainable and harmonious relationship with the Earth, one that acknowledges our interdependence with the natural world and fosters a deep sense of stewardship. We must heed your call to restore the grandeur of God's creation, for it is through our actions that we can hope to repair the damage and secure a better future.

Greetings,
Leander vd Berg

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I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, assignment 1

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I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, assignment 1

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Dear William,

I hope this letter finds you well and refreshed after your vacation. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. Your letter was a breath of fresh air, filled with vibrant imagery and a sense of wonder. The way you described the daffodils was truly captivating, reminiscent of the famous poem by Wordsworth.

"I wandered lonely as a cloud" - your opening line immediately caught my attention, setting the tone for a beautiful narrative. Your description of the daffodils "fluttering and dancing in the breeze" was so vivid, I could almost see them in my mind's eye. It reminded me of Wordsworth's words, "Continuous as the stars that shine."

Your letter painted a vivid picture of the beauty and serenity you encountered. It was as if the daffodils "outdid the sparkling waves in glee" as they graced the landscape with their vibrant presence. Your words truly conveyed the joy and inspiration that nature can bring.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with such eloquence. Your letter transported me to that picturesque scene, and I am grateful for the journey. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures.

Greetings,
Leander

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In fair Verona's realm, where love takes flight,
A Midsummer Night's dream in moonlit night.
Wherefore art thou, my love, in Juliet's plight,
Shall I compare thee to a summer's light?

To be or not to be, this mortal coil,
The tempest's rage, the love that won't recoil.
Upon the heath, three witches dance and sing,
While storms and passions, Othello's love bring.

Beware the ides of March, a tragic end,
As Macbeth's vaulting ambition descends.
The winter of our discontent shall pass,
With Richard III's schemes, the die is cast.

But hark! A rose by any other name,
A sonnet's grace, love's eternal flame.
Through time and verse, these stories intertwine,
Shakespeare's legacy, immortal and divine.