Robert Hayden
Questions about the text: Why does his father work so often? What exactly does "love's austere" and "lonely offices" mean, like what exactly does that refer to? What is he talking about "blueblack cold"? Is there more of a meaning behind "No one ever thanked him?"
Personal response to the text: I thought that the message behind this poem was that the man is a hard worker. He works on Sundays, which is typically a day of rest. Although, I'm not sure if they're actually talking about the "work" he does on Sunday's, or if he was going to church because he says "polished good shoes as well". It reminds me of my dad, because he's an early riser on Sunday's, like every other day.
Overall thoughts about the text: I thought this text was very easy to understand. The first time I read it I thought there must have been something I missed because I understood many of the elements of poetry. I really liked this poem because I thought it was relateable, which is weird, but that's what I felt about the poem. Oh, also the poem uses alliteration by the "W" sound and "K" sound as well. The speaker is seeming regretful during the poem because he is reflecting upon the life and things his father did for him growing up.
"Introduction to Poetry"
Billy Collins
Questions about the text: "They begin beating it with a hose", what is the hose referring to? What action is sparking these feelings? What does "drop a mouse into a poem" refer to?
Personal Response to the text: I thought this poem was a lot easier to read and to understand. I think it was easier to read and comprehend the imagery behind many of the words. I was able to pick out the parts of the poem that was using the vivid imagery.
Overall thoughts about the text: The poem was very harsh, I felt like the author was just beating down people who think too hard into the text. The stanzas that really stuck out to me were "But they all want to do is tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it" this quote really made me understand exactly what the author is trying to say because the main point of the poem is that annotating takes away from the poem sometimes.
"Introduction to Poetry"
Billy Collins
Questions about the text: "They begin beating it with a hose", what is the hose referring to? What action is sparking these feelings? What does "drop a mouse into a poem" refer to?
Personal Response to the text: I thought this poem was a lot easier to read and to understand. I think it was easier to read and comprehend the imagery behind many of the words. I was able to pick out the parts of the poem that was using the vivid imagery.
Overall thoughts about the text: The poem was very harsh, I felt like the author was just beating down people who think too hard into the text. The stanzas that really stuck out to me were "But they all want to do is tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it" this quote really made me understand exactly what the author is trying to say because the main point of the poem is that annotating takes away from the poem sometimes.
