A1 - Texas Poet Laureate Collaborative Activity by https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180 en-us 2022-08-09 20:39:39 UTC 2022-08-17 13:05:44 UTC hello@padlet.com Names: Kennedy, Khelis, Caylon kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257685935 2022-08-09 20:47:40 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257685935 Names: Jacobi, Yazel & Journey kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257685987 2022-08-09 20:47:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257685987 Names: kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257686089 Misael, Nathaniel, Devin, Danielle]]> 2022-08-09 20:47:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257686089 Names: kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257686118 Alexandra Morales, Yvette Rosales, Tyler Bowman, Lizbeth Vazquez, Isabel Avalos]]> 2022-08-09 20:47:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257686118 Names: kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257686282 Amy Schulz, Hannah Fishpaw, & Jaslyn Ngo.]]> 2022-08-09 20:48:03 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257686282 About the poet: kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257686909 Russell (Red) Steagall is an  American actor,musician, poet, and stage performer. He is best known fro his wonderful Texas Swing dance music such as "Here We Go Again". He was named the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas in April 1991 by the Texas Legislature]]> 2022-08-09 20:49:02 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257686909 About the poet: kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687175 Steven Fromholz was a singer-songwriter. He was born in Temple, Texas in 1945 and remained in the state until 2014. He wrote multiple albums and was good with his words. His sister was the person who nominated him for the Poet Laureate of Texas. Also, the titles of each poem correlate as he contradicts himself. The poet is reminiscent of his past and old decisions, thinking about what could have been while managing to live in his truth. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:49:41 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687175 About the poet: kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687221 2022-08-09 20:49:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687221 About the poet: kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687265 The author, Larry D. Thomas, was born on February 13, 1947, in Haskell, Texas. He attended Brownwood High School and then proceeded to earn a bachelor's in English at the University of Houston. Thomas worked as a social worker while earning his bachelor's, but shortly after was drafted into the Navy once graduated. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:49:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687265 About the poet: kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687310 Karla K. Morron lives in Fort Worth, TX. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a journalism degree and has composed 14 different collections of poetry. Morron has been honored with 5 different awards for her work in poetry.]]> 2022-08-09 20:49:59 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687310 Title of poem (page number): Song of the West (40) kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687727 Steagall debriefs and interrogates the meaning for all these deaths on top of the hill. For such an empty town, Steagall attempts to discover the faults that caused this land to be so dead. He uses a sincere tone, and uses allusion to to refer to events such as the cholera outbreak or the Oregon trial. Also a rhyme scheme is used to regain your attention at the end of the stanza.]]> 2022-08-09 20:51:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687727 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687975 The Last Livin' Outlaw- page 27

Steven Fromholz exaggerates the events in his life, by referring to himself as the last of his kind, also known as an outlaw. The man in the poem can best be described as living by his own rules, having a daughter he never cared for, and loving multiple women. He enjoyed his life and thought the fun would never end until the law caught up with him and he realized his grandchild was now on the way. With the use of repetition of the word he, the poet seems to allude to himself.  The tone seems festive as he describes his outlandish activities. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:51:39 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687975 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687996 2022-08-09 20:51:43 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257687996 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688017 Harvest Moon, p.54
Being introduced to something new such as the Harvest moon in this poem, shows that new experiences can allow for new changes within yourself. The poet uses descriptive words and similes to create an image of what the Moon looks like and how their daughter reacts to it. An example being, "for the very first time, sliding off her tongue like a warm, sweet disk of butterscotch candy, the word "moon"." I believe the author uses this simile to not only compare the sound of their daughter's first word to candy, but to also give the reader an idea of how she sounded. The poet's word choice and specific details of what happened made the poem sound as if they were admiring their daughter. The use of positive words such as "big" and "bright" to describe the moon displays its importance in leading to the big step their daughter takes when saying her first word. Similar to the poet, this poem connects to me in a personal way. I believe that the moon is beautiful in any state, and I believe that experiencing the look of it one night in June helped lead to my biggest change of all. Realizing that like the moon, life has phases too. 


]]> 2022-08-09 20:51:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688017 Where Moonlight Cannot Tread (pg. 11): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688034 1) Discuss the theme or message of the poem.

The theme of the poem is that no matter how much you admire a person or thing, there are some things that you can do that the other person can't. So don't be envious or try to be like them, analyze what you could do for yourself.

2) Discuss any metaphors, imagery, allusions, or any other figurative language that you see. Share your insight.

There are multiple examples of imagery in this poem. Some examples include, "thinking moon thoughts, sculpting himself into moon shape, soaking in the sunshine each day to practice glowing in the night" and "it would never know the dark pockets next to a woman's round, warm hips; or her sweet, secret sleep inside the dark of drawn curtains." These examples let me see a rock trying so hard to be a moon and lets me feel the warmness that the rock feels.

3) Discuss the diction, structure, repetition, setting, rhythm, and rhymes that you see. What is the tone? What is the mood? Share your insight.

The diction of the poem is very descriptive and longing. I do feel a rhythm when the poem repeats the word moon often or when there is a bit of rhyming, but not too much. When I read this, I feel a great sense of longing only to be comfortable at the end. I feel like the Author may have intended this, since the rock feels very envious and seeks to change himself, but feels empathy for the moon in the end.

4) What stood out the most to you? What connection(s) can you make – past, present, future, or personal?

In real life, everyone may feel envy and jealousy for someone "higher" than them. People may try to change themselves to be like them and more. Take Oli London, for example, he physically changed himself to be like the Star, Jimin, from BTS. But, in a way, he gained his own sense of fame, even if it wasn't good.
]]> 2022-08-09 20:51:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688034 Title of poem (page number): My Best Friend (26) kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688060 With the theme being love and appreciation, Stegall uses the tone of pride and sincerity to convey how much he loves his spouse. 

Steagall uses idiom by saying "our hearts are entwined." By using this he's saying that him and his wife, although being two separate people, with their love, they're one. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:51:54 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688060 Title of poem (page number): Yellow Cat- Page 31 kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688081 The poet is reflecting on how his actions have led to a lonely present. In his older age the poet is reflecting how his only companion is a yellow cat who does make a good conversationalist. This leaves the poet feeling empty and unfulfilled. The poet even goes so far to say he'd rather be in the rain and alone than sit in the companionship of the yellow cat. The poet used repetition as he says, " a cat is no good for talking to. He don't know what i'm saying. And the rain is always playing on my mind." This emphasizes that he feels a somber mood and that he is truly alone. He also uses personification by giving human like traits to the sun. The tone of this poem was gloomy and the mood was repressed. What stood out the most was the poets insistence that he'd rather be alone than converse with a cat who couldn't provide a proper response. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:51:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688081 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688501 When the big rains came (33)
It starts with how the author wished an adventure began, then going over how that adventure would take place and start. Even though it was in a normal realistic world the hero gets sent to somewhere else.The adventure starts with darkness then a weird contradiction then the usual way a hero adventure would start with a princess. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:52:53 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688501 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688535 Primary Colors, p. 55
It's a beautiful poem that utilizes the primary colors, red, yellow, and blue to add feeling to the poem. The main color used throughout the poem is blue, it signifies the sadness and depression of the poet's mother. The color itself, "blues" is used to explicitly remind the reader that his mother is depressed. In the introduction of the poem, the poet says "she killed time drifting through her universe", the expression "killing time" simply means to spend time during a waiting period. The image of red and yellow leaves burying the poet's mother all but her face, almost allowing the reader to envision the mother's face being blue to represent depression. With red and yellow signifying "happy colors" one can imagine a smile on the mother's face despite the depression. The mood is melancholy but the tone is vivid, expressive, and indicative of the realities of seeing his mother live with depression. The line that stood out to me in the beginning was the blatant phrase "Mom's clinical depression had kept her indoors.", depression is talked about more now but for a poet to write about a painful memory as beautiful as he did is outstanding.]]> 2022-08-09 20:52:57 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688535 Confessions Of A Laundromat Junkie (pg.33-34): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688564 1) Discuss the theme or message of the poem.

The author seeks to compare Catholic cleansing to laundry cleaning through witty writing and religious analogies.

2) Discuss any metaphors, imagery, allusions, or any other figurative language that you see. Share your insight.

The author alludes to various religious references:
  • Quoting the traditional way of beginning a Catholic confession "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."
  • Listing sins in the forms of shirt stains (Lipstick marks for lust, marinara stains for gluttony and potato chip stains for sloth)
  • Quoting the famous Bible verse (Matthew 22:37–39) "Love thy neighbor..." 

3) Discuss the diction, structure, repetition, setting, rhythm, and rhymes that you see. What is the tone? What is the mood? Share your insight.

Word choice is also indicates religious references:
  • "Godliness"
  • "Washed in absolution"
  • "Pure and chaste" 
  • "Penance"
  • "Manna from heaven"
  • "DWJWD (do what Jesus would do)" I know; it's the first time I heard that acronym too...
  • "Tithe"

4) What stood out the most to you? What connection(s) can you make – past, present, future, or personal?

What stood out to me most, obviously, is the author's way of showing the author's passion and dedication toward cleaning laundry. 
]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:00 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688564 Title of poem (page number): A Dusty Cotton Field (09) kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688598 In A dusty Cotton Field, Steagall describes it as a place of learning. He didn't want to go and was hesitant at first, but he thought of his father's words. Steagall reflects on how his father gave him ironclad rules that provided him a foundation for adulthood. His message is thankfulness and gratefulness, although the poet wouldn't go back, he's glad he listened to his parent's before they were gone. He compares this foundation his parent's provided to him to a plant that's now unbroken ground. 
The poet should have a tone of content, since at the end he say's he's not going back, yet he wouldn't trade the experience for gold, jewels, or wealth.]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688598 Title of poem (page number): A List of Lover's Questions pg: 29-30 kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688626 This poem emphasizes the pain and heartbreak that comes along with being loved and loving others. With the continued use of repetition as he states "can you stand another broken heart" Fromholz successfully pulls the audience into truly feeling his emotion and understanding his way of thinking. The outstanding theme of this poem can be deciphered as love is pain. The diction was not too sophisticated but yet descriptive, clear, and concise. Connections i can make personally are the relationships i've had with certain family members. Although you love the people who are related to you, sometimes they can cause outstanding damage. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:09 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688626 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688647 Finding a wooden leg in the road (44)

The start of this starts with the emotion of confusion how did this item get here, it is to perfect and beautiful. It has had so much time put into this masterpiece why is it here. Was is miss placed was it lost, was it thrown out for a better newer piece. Was it all of a sudden no longer needed. Perhaps it was replace by something different.]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:12 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688647 Texas two step pg. 17 kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688672 An old man captivated by his ranch lifestyle looks high and low for water in the Texas heat, so much that his spine is "bowed like a diving rod". He lives alone in far West Texas, where his ancestors have lived for over the past 100 years. His family is is gone, without life, and his wife is unspoken of. Each morning he wakes up with unawareness, not knowing if he is still able to care for his family's ranch, until his eyes come into focus and he sees his work boots at the edge of the bed knowing hes still in the dance. This poem has one clear meaning that one can most likely decipher, the life of one cannot be held on pause, even if you are lonely or your back aches one needs to take care of their responsibilities and what they care about. The author used three types of figurative language: simile and personification. On the poems second stanza lines 2-3 the author uses the simile comparison of a divining rod to the old man's back due to him searching for water "pulling his face toward the dust".
Another example of the author using figurative language is in stanza 3 lines 1-2 where he refers to dreams and consciousness as "partners in a polka", polka is a type of dance that originated in Mexico and this author uses this personification to show readers how the state of mind is of the old man is very foggy in which he no longer knows if hes either dreaming or conscious. While the tone was sort of sympathetic due to them mentioning the old mans life and state of well being, and my mood throughout the poem was reflective, I would compare it to my personal life and see similarities which made me reflect how grateful I should be. For example, my parents are still here and if they were gone I would be lost most likely waiting for my time to be up as well like the farmer but luckily I still have them and my siblings which makes me feel a lot less lonely than the farmer.]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:15 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688672 Shattering the Ordinary (pg. 35): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688696 1) Discuss the theme or message of the poem.
The theme of the poem is that regardless of how hard you may try to fit in with the "ordinary" expectations of the times you can't always meet those expectations. However, fitting in with the ordinary isn't always what is best. Sometimes the best thing is to break out of the mold.

2) Discuss any metaphors, imagery, allusions, or any other figurative language that you see. Share your insight.
The overarching metaphor of the poem is comparing a wearing a watch to being ordinary. Superman tries to wear a watch to fit in with humans but continually breaks the watches because he is not ordinary. Imagery is also used in the poem as it discusses how Superman broke his favorite watch, "between steels," referring to the railroads that the gold Rolex got caught between as he saved a derailing train.

3) Discuss the diction, structure, repetition, setting, rhythm, and rhymes that you see. What is the tone? What is the mood? Share your insight.
The poem does not use any rhyming pattern, but it does use rhythm throughout the poem to make up for the lack of rhymes. The poem uses shorter lines at the start of the stanza and will gradually increase the length of the lines. The tone and the mood of the poem are both lighthearted and fun as they poke fun at Superman for being unable to keep his watches from breaking to pieces.

4) What stood out the most to you? What connection(s) can you make – past, present, future, or personal?
This was the third poem in the collection about Superman. All three of the poems mentioned Lois and her love for Superman, though, the first two poems were exclusively about Superman's and Lois' relationship. The part of the poem that stood out to me the most is how much this author enjoys writing about Superman.
]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:19 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688696 Title of poem (page number): Hats off to the Cowboy (69) kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688738 In this poem, Red is basically saying even though the times have changed this cowboy still remains the same. He keeps his old ways of a cowboy although he's getting older. The theme of this poem is strength and endurance. Being a cowboy is a way of life not a career. This cowboy has been through so much in his years that he has had to have strength. He also has a tone of authenticity that has been shaped by him being a cowboy.]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688738 Title of poem (page number): The Weather (35) kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688762 Steagall clearly states his love for fall weather in this poem. The setting was simply his hometown and how the seasons' weather would feel to him. On pg. 36 he states that people may like spring the best but the fall has always been his favorite time of the year. He goes over every season, also saying that he should actually be staying somewhere warmer but he loves the fall and winter so much. He uses imagery by saying "I just saw some geese headin' south for the winter," in stanza 3]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688762 Title of poem (page number): Poetry of sport-64 kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688806 The poem is comparing how much poetry can be like sports. In the poem, the author is comparing writing poetry like you would play sports. The feeling you would put in and the dedication would also be needed to write poetry making the comparison through the author. It also uses rhythm in the poem to emphasize the feeling they have while writing. In each stanza, it gives you the begging of the action and the ending of it to emphasize the image of winning or accomplishing a goal.]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:31 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688806 Title of poem (page number): Bears Pg: 54 kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688831 Utilizing the tool of comparison, the poet stands up for those who have been a victim of being stigmatized and stereotyped due to their past. He first describes the perception that is often held towards bears, and how they are used for many things. He then compares himself to a bear, mentioning that those are you may be bears as well. The overall theme was don't judge those with a rough past. The diction was somewhat repetitive, as he repeats the words "There's some folks" before mentioning their views on bears. What stood out to me the most was the way he seamlessly transitioned to referring to himself as bear. I was able to form a past connection as I have experienced being judged for decisions I have made in the past. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688831 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688864 Autumn, at the river, after the train wreck (35)

This poem starts with the main character looking at their surrounding and looking at something nostalgic, they remembered everything about this place even the smallest detail. However something was wrong something was different, Things where there that were not suppose to be their. Everything was destroyed as something that was not apart of nature was there, which changed the characters forever. This shows how the author wanted to show that life can be changed quickly.]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:38 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688864 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688894 I know A Woman Who Lives on Harbinger Street. (63)
The message of the poem is to not let where you stay or what people think of you to make you sad, but instead, always think positive and be happy. The poet uses exaggerations/hyperboles to describe what the narrator would do if they lived on Harbinger Street as the lady does. However, the lady that resides on the street, "she seems a pleasant and well-balanced woman, not prone to starts or fits." This describes the lady as a "normal" person which is "unexpected" by the narrator due to the fact that she lives on Harbinger Street. The tone of the poem is mostly mysterious due to the fact that Harbinger Street is menacing/haunting like, so it also develops a curiosity in the readers as well. The narrator then sees a bobbing-head virgin mary on her dashboard which develops a sense of relief or hope that the lady is protected by her religion. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:41 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688894 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688919 Artificial Fruit-pg. 57 

Good things are good because they do not last forever. We have to appreciate them while we can. The poem supports this message by using fruit. Fruits are imperfect, they have bruises and spots, decay and wither away, but because of that we can only appreciate them for a moment in time. That is why when the author sees what appears to be perfect fruit  the tone of the poem shifts to being suspicious and later, when the author discovers them to be fake, sounds betrayed. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:45 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688919 Title of poem (page number): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688946  Twin Spinsters in Blue- pg 29

The poet uses imagery to give the reader a striking image of the scenery in the poem. While the poem does not exactly have a clear message, I think the author wants the reader to realize how beauty can go unnoticed all through one's life until it is too late. The diction used allows the reader to form an idea of what old age appears to be, appreciation for our surroundings even if it is the slightest detail. The author makes it known this event that takes place every morning is the highlight of these people's lives now that everyone else is no longer with them. "They spend their days this way, acting out the script of a simple ritual, the deep sky above them familiar at last". While the author does not use much figurative language, they use hyperbole throughout the poem to emphasize age and at one point the lack of value in conversing when one gets to a certain age. The poem reminded me of my grandparents and the way they spent their last years together cherishing what was unimportant to anyone else, but a breath of life to them. I think in life one of the most important things to remember is to find beauty everywhere you go, appreciate the smell of rain, the sunset, and the way the moon sits out in the sky peacefully looking down at us. All in all, I think the author's gratifying tone pulls this beautiful peace together and lets the reader interpret the poem according to how they relate. ]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:48 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688946 Bursting into Snowflakes (pg. 13): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688975 1) Discuss the theme or message of the poem.

The message of the poem is to honor Anne Baer's son, who died on a soccer field.

2) Discuss any metaphors, imagery, allusions, or any other figurative language that you see. Share your insight.

Morron utilizes parallelism and imagery to emotionally describe what happened on that soccer field. Her example of parallelism is when she wrote, "as though his leap for the ball, was a leap into the fall sky," and her example of imagery is when she wrote, "His spirit breaking free like a low, purple-dusted cloud. suddenly... silently... bursting into the soft, sweet storm of a million wordless snowflakes." to explain that he went down softly.

3) Discuss the diction, structure, repetition, setting, rhythm, and rhymes that you see. What is the tone? What is the mood? Share your insight.

There is a rhythm when reading this poem out, which is slow and paced out. The mood when I read this was very emotional and melancholic, but I was happy with how she softly described everything. The tone may be very similar to the mood I felt, since the poem is supposed to be emotional and honorific towards Anne Baer's son.

4) What stood out the most to you? What connection(s) can you make – past, present, future, or personal?

I do not have a connection, but the emotion that I felt reading this stood out to me. I haven't wanted to cry because of words in a long time.
]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688975 Electronic Quills (pg. 14): kallison210 https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688999 1) Discuss the theme or message of the poem.

The poet thought about how writing a letter was more meaningful and dedicated than writing an email nowadays. It took more time and effort to express your care and concern for someone.

2) Discuss any metaphors, imagery, allusions, or any other figurative language that you see. Share your insight.

Most of the imagery expressed is in the form of imagery and expression of how long it used to take for a letter to send to someone:

- "Send their notes flying through the air"
- "How they yearned with each slow curved letter"
- "'I give you my heart' and it's yours 10 seconds later"
- "But the birds still remember what was passed down through the ages;
they still remember the yearning written on those pages"


3) Discuss the diction, structure, repetition, setting, rhythm, and rhymes that you see. What is the tone? What is the mood? Share your insight.

In the poem, there's a strong sense of yearning that is expressed through the writing of the poem when they talk about the old days when they used to write letters to one another. There's also a sense of excitement of when they're able to send love letters to one another as fast as 10 seconds. The poem also makes clear that despite the changes in how we express love for one another through writing, the message still remains the same.


4) What stood out the most to you? What connection(s) can you make – past, present, future, or personal?

The author's tone and metaphors stood out to me the most. The way she expressed how yearning can be expressed through time and waiting for someone you love to talk to you and respond to your expressions of love.

]]> 2022-08-09 20:53:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2257688999 Names https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258181269 Mali Lewis, Macy Wallace, Kaitlyn Krukoski & Angela Sharpless]]> 2022-08-10 13:02:48 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258181269 About the poet https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182489 Jane Seale has written many poems and children's books. She also teaches workshops. Her books have been published by The Yale Review, Texas Monthly and Newsday. For her great accomplishments she has been rewarded National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Creative Writing. ]]> 2022-08-10 13:04:50 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182489 Title of poem (page number): https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182649 A Baby's Head is its own Crowning (12-14)
In this poem a mother is giving birth to her child. Imagery is used to paint the scene of the child’s birth and the days after. “A brain shows up between her legs” “on the lap of her birthing gown, the head stains a pale halo”. Throughout the poem the poet uses metaphors in the birthing process to represent the child’s future. “Push! They say. Push hard! Which head? She cries. Which head are you talking to?” meaning are they telling her to push out the baby or are they telling the baby to push on throughout its life. “They are promised symmetry. They are promised a pastry, delicious and oblivious, preferably an apple dumpling if only they will be patient.” meaning they expect their child to do great things with their life and become the person they wish. “They want one more promise: this will be the last time his head is messed up” I feel this could either mean they wish their child to have a long healthy life, or it could mean they wish him to be logical and mentally well. “The father’s fingers curl around the temples. “Now,” he says. “Now I hold the world in my hand”. This means that from now on this child is their whole world. In this poem they mix literal imagery of what’s happening in the physical world and metaphors for what the child represents and what it may become. This poem sets a tone in each line with the use of exclamation marks, commas, and periods. When they tell the mother to push, it’s said with an exclamation showing the intensity and energy of the scene. When the poem is metaphorical and referring to the child’s potential, many periods are used to chop up the rhythm and set a tone that the parents are very serious about their child’s future. A personal connection I made, and one that can apply to many people, is the hopefulness of parents for their children’s life. Parents want their children to make the most of their life and to be successful, however that can put lots of pressure on the children which I can relate to my personal experience. 

]]> 2022-08-10 13:05:09 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182649 Title of poem (page number): https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182682 Mom Dracula (16-17)
The theme of this poem is protective motherhood, and a mother who checks up on her kids throughout the night. The author uses figurative language such as the simile, "Hes comfortable as a trussed rabbit," to describe the scene of the child in bed. The imagery used such as, “Mom Dracula is feeding herself on your innocence,” creates the idea that the Mom Dracula is using her kids innocence as a way to not worry about stressful things. This adds to the poems creativity and better helps the reader imagine the scenes the author describes. The author sets the tone of the poem by using mature diction and word placement that is most likely a reference to how the mom in the poem talks or thinks about her children. As the author moves from describing oldest child to youngest, they introduce their designated paragraph with a phrase that includes “back one step” or “back further” and “step further” which sets the tone of the poem as formal and imaginative. Introducing the mother in this story as Mom Dracula implied that the mother doesn’t sleep, defying its original negative connotation as the reader learns that the mom doesn’t sleep to make sure her children are safe. 

]]> 2022-08-10 13:05:13 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182682 Title of poem (page number): https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182738 Eeeeeeeeee (35)
This poem is about the perspective of a mosquito. The poem is more informative about what mosquitoes have done to the human population, and describes how it feels to be bit by one. Metaphor, personification, and a hyperbole are all in this poem.  Along with repetition, rhythm, and setting help the poem feel more like a visit from an old friend or neighbor witch sets the tone. The mode the author set feels like a history story from the 1950s about how mosquitoes had spread diseases and what they are able to do that makes them seem dangerous. The poem refers to the mosquito as a woman because only female mosquitoes bite meaning the author did their research. This poem reminds me particularly of a 1960s animation where one of the characters was a female mosquito that talked about who she was before she ended up singing at a low grade bar. ]]> 2022-08-10 13:05:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182738 Title of poem (page number): https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182839 Lovers Quarrel with an Aloe (32)
The message of this poem seems to be about a lover who is frequently misunderstood. Tired of being misunderstood the lover decides to take charge due to the harm induced by their significant other. 
"You let me reach among your fleshy arms to pluck out ravenous grass and leaves; I try my best and yet you do me harm with thorns like a nasty terrier's teeth." This line from the poem allows me to believe that the lover is constantly trying to find the good in their partner but instead they are being shown the flaws, which is compared to negative references such as  "thorns" and "a nasty terrier's teeth." There is also imagery being used due to the descriptive circumstances that occur such as, "I take a knife and circling you, with care this time, I slice a flagging spear and slather your green blood upon the tear. I like to think we're now blood sister, dear."
At the end of the poem, the lover utilizes the words spear, tear and dear allowing the poem to rhyme. The tone has a sense of vengeance because the lover wants to inflict the same harm that was inflicted on them. The mood is empathetic in a way because her significant lover betrayed her and caused her harm.
What really stood out to me is the extent of betrayal the lover is feeling towards their partner. I've never personally been put in harm due to a lover but I do understand the feeling of betrayal. 


]]> 2022-08-10 13:05:26 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258182839 Title of poem (page number): https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258183832 Incident (19)
This poem reminds me of a foster mother taking the child she was caring for back to the system because she could not properly take care of the little one due to some type of incident. This poem has figurative language such as personification and a metaphor. The setting for this poem is very important to understanding what is going on without saying it out loud. This poem seems personal to the writer and reminds me of an old memory that the narrator frowns at which may be the reason why the poem is called "Incident."]]> 2022-08-10 13:06:57 UTC https://padlet.com/kallison210/2sy2uglw7ft28180/wish/2258183832