Please teach me everything I’ll need,
Teach me to calculate and speak,
Teach me to stop being so weak:
Teach me to think and write and read.
‘Cause there isn’t much I’ll learn alone,
and my mind is hungry for your food,
the food for thought that makes us good
and without which we’re dry as stone.
Teach me to be just like yourself,
The person I so much admire,
The one whose intellectual fire
I wish I’ll have one day myself.
Take a seat and start to teach,
Let me thus the wonders see
Of this world where I will be
A bit better thanks to each
Of the teachers that I had,
and thanks to yourself, the one
who’s made me sure that I can,
that in fact, I’m not that bad
as a student. I’ll succeed.
You’re the one who made me start
To realize that it’s an art
To develop the great seed
That you planted in my young brain.
I’ll water that seed all the time
With your great teaching, and with time
You’ll see your efforts were not in vain.
Since this is my last poetry response of the year I thought I would do a poem for Mrs. Coleman. I picked this poem because of its ideas. Even though it does not have a specific rhyme scheme, it has alot of heart and meaning that comes out of it. Mrs. Coleman has taught me alot this year and has guided me through my senior year. I did not always make the best grades or actually read all the chapters she assigned, which showed through my quizes, but she made class enjoyable and I learned alot. Most students would say the amount of work we did was a little much and complain, but now that it is the end of the year I can say it was worth it and definitely has shown in the end. This year was a great one, so thankyou Mrs. Coleman. :)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
"Where the Sidewalk Ends" By: Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
This poem was one of my favorite poems when I was a kid. I always liked reading as a child but I was one of those kids that liked reading about happy or ideal things. This poem to me was always the thought of endless possibilities, a sidewalk that never ended. Of course realistically it has to end, and in the poem the end of the sidewalk symbolizes growing up and leaving childhood behind. I like the rhyme scheme of this poem; the 1st and 3rd lines of each stanza rhyme, so it makes it fun to read but not too over the top. I love Shel Silverstein and this poem will forever be one of my favorites.
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
This poem was one of my favorite poems when I was a kid. I always liked reading as a child but I was one of those kids that liked reading about happy or ideal things. This poem to me was always the thought of endless possibilities, a sidewalk that never ended. Of course realistically it has to end, and in the poem the end of the sidewalk symbolizes growing up and leaving childhood behind. I like the rhyme scheme of this poem; the 1st and 3rd lines of each stanza rhyme, so it makes it fun to read but not too over the top. I love Shel Silverstein and this poem will forever be one of my favorites.
Monday, April 11, 2011
"The Class Reunion" by: Anonymous
Every ten years, as summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail.
"A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand,
Make plans to attend without fail".
I'll never forget the first time we met,
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.
It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.
The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.
The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.
No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain,
She married a shipping tycoon.
The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed"
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted "least" now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.
They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.
They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini,
You never saw so many thighs.
At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal,
By this time we'd all gone to pot.
It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores,
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.
By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.
And now I can't wait--they've set the date,
Our fiftieth is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.
Repairs have been made on my hearing aid,
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled,
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.
I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party,
I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun. but I just hope that there's one
Other person who can make it that night.
I chose this poem because we are at the point where we all must realize highschool is ending and we are all moving on to bigger and better things. Some of us are going away to college, some are staying home. Some of us will continue to talk to each other everyday, while some friendships will fade away. Reguardless of how things end up in May, rest assured we will all see eachother in the years to come. It might not be everyday like we see eachother now, but every 5, 10, 15 years we will all meet again. I liked this poem because of the humor the author used. He/she wraps the sterotypical things that usually come to mind with thinking of highschool, into a fun poem with a nice rhyme scheme. The author describes everything I hope to see at my highschool reunion, so I look forward to when we are all old and cute and meet again.
An announcement arrives in the mail.
"A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand,
Make plans to attend without fail".
I'll never forget the first time we met,
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.
It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.
The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.
The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.
No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain,
She married a shipping tycoon.
The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed"
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted "least" now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.
They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.
They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini,
You never saw so many thighs.
At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal,
By this time we'd all gone to pot.
It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores,
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.
By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.
And now I can't wait--they've set the date,
Our fiftieth is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.
Repairs have been made on my hearing aid,
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled,
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.
I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party,
I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun. but I just hope that there's one
Other person who can make it that night.
I chose this poem because we are at the point where we all must realize highschool is ending and we are all moving on to bigger and better things. Some of us are going away to college, some are staying home. Some of us will continue to talk to each other everyday, while some friendships will fade away. Reguardless of how things end up in May, rest assured we will all see eachother in the years to come. It might not be everyday like we see eachother now, but every 5, 10, 15 years we will all meet again. I liked this poem because of the humor the author used. He/she wraps the sterotypical things that usually come to mind with thinking of highschool, into a fun poem with a nice rhyme scheme. The author describes everything I hope to see at my highschool reunion, so I look forward to when we are all old and cute and meet again.
Monday, March 21, 2011
"My Best Friend" - Anonymous
A best friend
is always there,
whether you need advice,
or a pep talk,
or even a shoulder to cry on.
is always there,
whether you need advice,
or a pep talk,
or even a shoulder to cry on.
A best friend
listens with her heart
and is always honest with you,
even though the truth
may not be
what you want to hear.
A best friend
knows all your secrets,
understands your fears
shares your dreams.
A best friend
never stops believing in you
even if you give up
on yourself.
you are
that kind of friend
to me.
And no matter what happens,
you always will be.
You are my best friend....
my forever friend.
I like this poem because it is about friendship; not only friendship but true friendship. I like there is not a rhyme scheme to this poem. The style the author used in this poem to express their feelings. I think true friendship is hard to find. But once you find a true friend, or best friend, you can always go to them and trust them no matter what. They will always protect you and tell you what you honestly need to know. This poem shows those thoughts and I really like it.
Monday, February 28, 2011
"Time of Your Life" by: Green Day
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Whenever I think of things changing or people moving on, this is the song that comes to mind. Not only is it catchy, I think it is a song almost everyone can relate to. It is one of those songs that gives you goosebumps on your arms because you feel powerful listening to it. This song says it is okay to move forward. There are memories that everyone keeps forever; they may not talk about them everyday, but they put them on a "shelf" in their mind and no one can every take them away. I really like this song, it says it is okay to move on, and I think that is a message that should be spread to everyone.
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Whenever I think of things changing or people moving on, this is the song that comes to mind. Not only is it catchy, I think it is a song almost everyone can relate to. It is one of those songs that gives you goosebumps on your arms because you feel powerful listening to it. This song says it is okay to move forward. There are memories that everyone keeps forever; they may not talk about them everyday, but they put them on a "shelf" in their mind and no one can every take them away. I really like this song, it says it is okay to move on, and I think that is a message that should be spread to everyone.
Monday, February 21, 2011
"Messy Room" by: Shel Silerstein
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater's been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or--
Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!
I like this poem because it reminds me of my mother getting on to me about my room being a mess. She always makes up rhymes or clever sayings to make me want to actually clean so she will stop. I also like this poem because of the hidden underlying message. The speaker is quick to judge the owner of this room, critquing the little things and mentioning how there is even a vest out in the hall. He continually judges the owner of the room only to find out that it is his own room. The author is trying to say that most people hypcrites; wrongly judging others for something that they themselves do.
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater's been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or--
Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!
I like this poem because it reminds me of my mother getting on to me about my room being a mess. She always makes up rhymes or clever sayings to make me want to actually clean so she will stop. I also like this poem because of the hidden underlying message. The speaker is quick to judge the owner of this room, critquing the little things and mentioning how there is even a vest out in the hall. He continually judges the owner of the room only to find out that it is his own room. The author is trying to say that most people hypcrites; wrongly judging others for something that they themselves do.
Monday, February 14, 2011
"Thank You, Friend" by: Joanna Fuchs
Thank You, Friend
Thank you, friend, for all the things
That mean so much to me--
For concern and understanding
You give abundantly.
That mean so much to me--
For concern and understanding
You give abundantly.
Thanks for listening with your heart;
For cheering me when I'm blue;
For bringing out the best in me;
And just for being you.
For cheering me when I'm blue;
For bringing out the best in me;
And just for being you.
Thanks for in-depth conversation
That stimulates my brain;
For silly times we laugh out loud;
For things I can't explain.
That stimulates my brain;
For silly times we laugh out loud;
For things I can't explain.
For looking past my flaws and faults;
For all the time you spend;
For all the kind things that you do,
Thank you; thank you, friend.
For all the time you spend;
For all the kind things that you do,
Thank you; thank you, friend.
I picked this poem out because it reminded me of my good friend JJ. I feel like a true friendship does not always get the full recognition it deserves. This poem does exactly what its title implies; it is a thankyou to a friend. Although we do not always realize it, we are affected and impacted by our friends that are around us everyday. Wheither it may be lending a hand, asking for advice, or simply just being by your side, a true friend is always there and never judges you. I like the way the author presented this topic in this poem. I know they must have been thinking of a good friend like I was when I came across this poem. :)
Monday, February 7, 2011
"Footprints In the Sand" by: Mary Stevenson
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”
When I look at a poem I usually like it because of a rhyme scheme or a pattern that sticks out. Although this poem does not have either of those, it has a very important message behind it. The poem begins talking about the Lord, making an analogy of the voyage of life to a walk on the beach. It shows how much he helps all of us out everyday. At the closing and most memorable part of the poem there becomes one set of footprints and the Lord carries the speaker. It gives the reader the message that even though we may not always realize it, we have people that love us sorrounding us and helping us out everyday.
Monday, January 31, 2011
"The Greatest Accessory Of All" by: Junita Thiessen
Way too many people in today's day and age obsess over their appearance and what others think of them. What people do not realize is that it is not what is on the outside that matters, it is what is on the inside. The author does an excellent job of expressing her views on this subject. She mentions how the soul changes color a million times because as we mature and develope as human beings we change constantly. Our views and mindset are continually changing as well. The way the author presents these true values is unique and for that I really like this poem.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
"Dream" by: Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
Sometimes I dream that you are back with me,
And that with hands together clasped we go
Like little children, young and glad and free,
A-down a magic road we used to know.
Sometimes I dream your eyes upon my face,
And feel your fingers softly touch my hair....
And when I wake from dreaming all the place,
Seems lonelier because you are not there.
What is a dream? Not very much, they say,
An idle vision made in castled Spain--
Well, maybe they are right.... And yet, today,
When all the warring world was swept with pain,
The suffering and sorrow ceased to be,
Because I dreamed that you were back with me!
I like this poem because of the powerful subject it is about. It questions dreams and then defends them. Dreams are magical and are something to be cherished. They can be scary on occasions, but they can also be exciting and thrilling. We can not always get what we want in life, but dreams are a way to escape the harsh reality into a safer world. Dreams can be a safe haven where anything is possible and I think the author does a wonderful job presenting this point.
Monday, January 17, 2011
"My Memory Library" by Sarah Blackstone
I picked this peom out because of how inspirational it was when I read it. Losing a loved one is a very hard thing to have to go through and I have experienced this first hand. The author wrote this poem to help people remember the good times when they are at their lowest. She helps readers to realize unlocking the large chest of memories helps to deal with the loss of our loved ones and saving the good memories are the best ways to deal with the great loss. This poem also helps us to know that we have to look back and focus on the positive times and not the bad times. Although sometimes you have to experience a bad time to know how a good time feels.
Monday, January 10, 2011
"Be Glad Your Nose Is On Your Face" by Jack Prelutsky
Be glad your nose is on your face,
not pasted on some other place,
for if it were where it is not,
you might dislike your nose a lot.
Imagine if your precious nose
were sandwiched in between your toes,
that clearly would not be a treat,
for you'd be forced to smell your feet.
Your nose would be a source of dread
were it attached atop your head,
it soon would drive you to despair,
forever tickled by your hair.
Within your ear, your nose would be
an absolute catastrophe,
for when you were obliged to sneeze,
your brain would rattle from the breeze.
Your nose, instead, through thick and thin,
remains between your eyes and chin,
not pasted on some other place--
be glad your nose is on your face!
I like this poem because although it is short and fun, it has an important meaning behind it: be happy with who you are. Most people look at the negative things they wish they could fix about themselves, but this poem helps demonstrate how we are the way that we are for a reason. Of course we could be made a different way or possibly look different, but as the poem shows things could always be worse and we are perfect just being ourselves. I like the way Jack Prelutsky has written this poem. It rhymes and is playful and honestly I think it is a little funny, yet the statement Prelutsky is trying to make is clear. All of this makes it a great poem that is appropriate for any audience.
not pasted on some other place,
for if it were where it is not,
you might dislike your nose a lot.
Imagine if your precious nose
were sandwiched in between your toes,
that clearly would not be a treat,
for you'd be forced to smell your feet.
Your nose would be a source of dread
were it attached atop your head,
it soon would drive you to despair,
forever tickled by your hair.
Within your ear, your nose would be
an absolute catastrophe,
for when you were obliged to sneeze,
your brain would rattle from the breeze.
Your nose, instead, through thick and thin,
remains between your eyes and chin,
not pasted on some other place--
be glad your nose is on your face!
I like this poem because although it is short and fun, it has an important meaning behind it: be happy with who you are. Most people look at the negative things they wish they could fix about themselves, but this poem helps demonstrate how we are the way that we are for a reason. Of course we could be made a different way or possibly look different, but as the poem shows things could always be worse and we are perfect just being ourselves. I like the way Jack Prelutsky has written this poem. It rhymes and is playful and honestly I think it is a little funny, yet the statement Prelutsky is trying to make is clear. All of this makes it a great poem that is appropriate for any audience.
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