One of the poems that hit me emotionally was Herrick's "Here a Pretty Baby Lies". When I first read the title, I thought it was going to be a joyful and peaceful poem. Its rhyme scheme was an A A B B scheme. When I read the first two lines I thought it was talking about a baby that was sleeping and the lullabies were being sung by the mother who was trying to have her baby fall asleep. That poem at the end really shocked me. "Th'easy earth that covers her" (645) really got me and that's when I realized that the baby was in fact dead.
This poem was only four lines long with a small rhyme scheme, but it really hit me emotionally. It was short but powerful. It had a lot of meaning in those four lines. The way Robert Herrick used the words that could mean one thing but meant another. Like how the baby lying was the baby dead in a coffin and not a baby sleeping in a crib. Or the earth that covers her was the baby being buried. It really got me because not many people write or talk about babies dying or burying of children. Its something that most authors don't write about or something that becomes famous for. Whether the reason was for the baby dying, it was a tragic ending and it really touched my heart.
Another poem that really hit home to me was Billy Collin's "Schoolsville". One of the things that I realized while i was reading this was when he said "Glancing over my shoulder at the past I realized the number of students I have taught" (642). My dad being a teacher tells me stories of all the students he has taught over the years and it makes me appreciate the teachers I've had a lot more. There are some teachers out there that don't care about their students, but some really do remember their students they have had and it made me realize about the teachers that do love their job as being a teacher.
Also, the poem made me realize and think about my youth, It was a little long of a poem but it didn't contain a rhyme scheme. It was right to the point about school and him teaching. The scenes he portrayed in the poem are both real and amusing to read like when he describes "The A's stroll along with other A's The D's honk whenever they pass another D." (643). It really amused me and at the same time spoke to me . It reminded me of when I was younger and in middle school where it was such a small school that everyone knew everyone and it brought back that time of innocence. Another thing that I found funny was when he was describing that students will come back for help on the papers. I will to this day will go to the teachers that I still keep in contact with and ask them questions on assignments I need help on. My friends will even go to my dad when they need help with any math problems.
Even though these poems contained differences such as "Schoolsville" having a laughter amusing feel and "Here a Pretty Baby Lies" having a sad deep feeling, they both contained similarities. They were powerful poems that engaged us as the reader to relate to the poem. I really liked the poems and it showed me that poetry isn't always about rhyming or love or even flowers, but can also be realistic and mean so much to the reader than expected.
Hi Taylor, Emotions and poetry are like peas in a pod as far as I am concerned. I have always felt that words give incredible light into a person’s soul. Your interpretation of Lisa Herrick's "Here a Pretty Baby Lies" is really heartfelt. Until you have read the poem, the title seems straightforward however, when finished you realize how the use of the word “Lies” has completely changed the context of the title as we learn that what we just read, is not what it seems. I agree that this small poem is indeed quite powerful and moving. I also enjoyed your interpretation of “Schoolsville” as I have a great deal of respect for teachers as well. I felt a good deal of sadness in the end though as I began to realize that his mental health seems to be slipping away at the same time his home and car are also falling apart. Did you get the impression that he is now alone? Perhaps his wife has passed away, as he reflects on his life, staring over his “shoulder at the past” (1.1). Your father sounds like he was a wonderful teacher.
ReplyDeleteWow Taylor, I felt the same way about the "Here a Pretty Baby Lies" I am impressed that such a short poem could involve so many feelings for the reader. I agree with Don about the places poetry can take us. It is a wonderful tool to express feelings. I enjoyed "Schoolsville" also but your experience about your father being a teacher helped me understand a new perspective! Thank you for your post and your thoughts. Deb West
ReplyDeleteHi Taylor, I also am shocked that such a short poem could have affected me so deeply. I also agree with Don that the poet’s use of the word “lies” could have been interpreted in many different ways. The poet did a great job, of creating an emotional and deeply heartfelt poem in a few lines. I also enjoyed your interpretation of the poem “Schoolsville”. I also enjoyed the humorous twist that was added to the poem. I enjoyed having the opportunity to explore the mind of a teacher. I also agree with your last comment about the similarities and differences between the poems. One was dark and the other had a bit of humor in it, but they were both greatly written and succeeded in having an impact on the reader.
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