Last Blog!! the lesson of the falling leaves

the leaves believe
such letting go is love
such love is faith
such faith is grace
such grace is god
i agreed with the leaves

Lucille Clifton

I have read a lot of poems by Clifton and she has become on of my favorite poets. Her poems seem clear and easy to understand. It seems like she wants you to get the same feel that she has from the poem and not perceive it differently like a lot of other poets do. She says what she means and whats her audience to see it that way as well. This poem is a little different though from her traditional pro women out look. Clifton also believed that through poetry, audiences could see that "everything is connected" just like she personally believed.
Elizabeth Alexander, a poet who teaches at Yale University, believed Clifton was a brave poet.
"There are some poets who are interested in writing at the edge, and face-to-face with death," she said. "And Clifton is the bravest in that regard." That is exactly how her poem "the lessons of the falling leaves" comes across. I believe that Clifton is relating this "letting go" to death. Death is always a very hard topic to talk about and deal with, and relating it to something as common as leaves letting go gives it a much less intimidating view.

For a Lady I Know

Frederick Cullen was a pioneer black activist minister. He established his Salem Methodist Episcopal Church in a storefront mission upon his arrival in New York City in 1902, and in 1924 moved the Church to the site of a former white church in Harlem where he could boast of a membership of more than twenty-five hundred. He is known for his writings on African American traditions and history as well.


She even thinks that up in heaven
Her class lies late and snores
While poor black cherubs rise at seven
To do celestial chores.

Because Cullen lived in the time of black people being under slavery, this poem makes me think that the women he is talking about were upper class white women that he worked for. They felt that blacks being their slaves is what God intended and even expects the same treatment in heaven. The poem is very short and to the point. It gives these ladies a racist outlook overall.

Hamlet Quote

A quote that I think represents Hamlet well is the one he makes right after he has discovered his father had been murdered by his uncle.

"Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit!—So, gentlemen,
With all my love I do commend me to you,
And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
May do, to express his love and friending to you,
God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together,
And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.
The time is out of joint. O cursèd spite,
That ever I was born to set it right!
Nay, come, let’s go together."

This quote starts off the impression the audience gets from Hamlet perfectly. The entire story is based upon lies, deceit, and betrayal and that's exactly what this quote shows. Hamlet has just met his dead father's ghost and figures out the lie his uncle has had about his brothers death. It starts the story off with secrecy and mystery as well. It also shows the reason Hamlet becomes so mad throughout the story. His thirst for revenge drives him to death.

What the mirror said (makeup for 3/13)

Lucille Clifton was an American writer and educator from Buffalo, New York. Her most common topics of poetry include the celebration of African American heritage and feminist themes with an emphasis on the female body. This poem is a perfect example of Clifton's common theme, the female body. Clifton is addressing her image in the mirror and does so with the reoccurring "you." It is a sort of self analysis of what she views her body as, and how she wants it to be portrayed to others. "listen you a wonder. you a city of a women. you got a geography of your own." This statement shows the uniqueness Clifton feels towards her body and her pride in it. It's her own and no one can take that away from her. In order for another to understand it, "somebody need directions to move around you." This also shows the power she feels in her own body.

Many red devils...

Stephen Crane has been known to for his notable works in the realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism. He has also been thought to be on of the most initiative writers of his generation. He befriended other writers such as Joseph Conrad. He ended up dying very young at the age of 28. The first thing that I thought of when I read this poem was contradicting ideas. I know that when I have been giving a project of debating something-whether it be abortion, steam cell research, or other controversial topics-I'm surprised at what initially comes from my pen onto the paper. When Crane says, "Many red devils ran from my heart And out upon the page," that is what I think of. It seems like Crane is shocked at the attitude he has towards this particular topic. It all comes rushing out once he puts the pen to paper. The poem also seemed to have a feel of relief to it as well. Once his thoughts started to pour out and the only thing he could do was keep writing, it lightened his heart.

you fit into me

Margaret Atwood has been know to be an environmental activist. She also writes many poems and short stories inspired by myths and fairy tales. When I first read this poem, I thought Atwood was describing some kind of relationship that either she experienced or just on in general. I thought of the first stanza, "you fit into me like a hook into an eye" This gave me the image of a very working and compatible relationship like that of one between a hook and eye of a dress. Then the next stanza gives the relationship a sort of painful feel. "a fish hook an open eye" This gives the readers a feeling of betrayal and hurt that rests in this relationship. The structure is very unique as well. It is really short and straight to the point which really leaves no room for questioning.

Song of Powers

I really like the metaphor in this poem. The whole thing kind of explains the game of rock-paper-scissors. The first stanza is like the intro to the poem. It is very structured and gives the background of the rock. The structure is very bold and clear just like the rock. The next stanza flows more and abstract while talking about paper. The entire stanza seems to be one idea with only one period whereas the first stanza was really broken up. The third stanza talks about the scissors and comes across more harsh. It is snappy and jaded just like scissors. The last stanza is a lot longer and brings all of the pieces together. The fourth line, "all end alone," refers to the game. In the end the paper, rock, or scissors stands alone destroying the other. Mason relates this to people as well. "They all end alone. As you will, you will." It gives me the idea of being a self reflecting poem. Like Mason is describing an event in his life and is almost giving warning to his readers.