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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yazhQki_s5Rinr_JTNBwMv2HwPo4f1vS/view?usp=sharing

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Activity 5: Saddest Poem by Pablo Neruda

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.

Write, for instance: "The night is full of stars,

and the stars, blue, shiver in the distance."

The night wind whirls in the sky and sings.

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.

I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

On nights like this, I held her in my arms.

I kissed her so many times under the infinite sky.

She loved me, sometimes I loved her.

How could I not have loved her large, still eyes?

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.

To think I don't have her. To feel that I've lost her.

To hear the immense night, more immense without her.

And the poem falls to the soul as dew to grass.

What does it matter that my love couldn't keep her.

The night is full of stars and she is not with me.

That's all. Far away, someone sings. Far away.

My soul is lost without her.

As if to bring her near, my eyes search for her.

My heart searches for her and she is not with me.

The same night that whitens the same trees.

We, we who were, we are the same no longer.

I no longer love her, true, but how much I loved her.

My voice searched the wind to touch her ear.

Someone else's. She will be someone else's. As she once

belonged to my kisses.

Her voice, her light body. Her infinite eyes.

I no longer love her, true, but perhaps I love her.

Love is so short and oblivion so long.

Because on nights like this I held her in my arms,

my soul is lost without her.

Although this may be the last pain she causes me,

and this may be the last poem I write for her.

 1. Theme: what themes do you notice in the poem? Explain how the themes contribute to your understanding of the poem

- Heartbreak/Sadness: It is made discreetly clear that the narrator of the poem is going through some sort of pain or mourning. He is reminiscing through the various implications of his relationships, and explaining certain emotions or words that he remembers or that have stood out. He highlights how she will be somebody else's, as if she is a material possession that he owned. I outlined this specific line because I believe it could have been a driving force in to him not fully complimenting her needs or her self growth. I believe the poems title itself. "The Saddest Poem", sets the tone for how the rest of the poem will follow.

 - Role-play/Confusion: I believe this is a main theme because the two characters in the story did not meet their full capability in terms of playing their part of a role in a relationship. This could imply that the two lovers were young and inexperienced, lost and confused, or simply not in love. Love is a powerful force that everyone in life strives to experience. In many aspects of life, if we do not meet love, we become bitter to those who do and hate ourselves as if we are not desirably to be loved. This can make it difficult to differentiate love and lust, as we begin to become hungry for any type of human interaction that makes us feel loved.

 - Depression/Suicide: The narrator on various occasions claims he is incomplete without his significant other. Regardless if the other person feels the same, to the narrator, his life is better with her in his life. Love has the power to make us feel special and wholesome, which is a beautiful thing. However, whenever we may lack this irreplaceable force, we begin to feel insecure and feel as if we are not enough. This can up bring thoughts of sadness and pain, and potential suicide. The ending makes me think that the main character of the story has committed suicide over his lost love life, or has potentially stopped thinking about the pain she brought upon his life.

 2. Do you agree or disagree with with the poem? Explain your thinking.

- I agree with what the poem is attempting to explain, in that how love is a powerful drug that can make us experience the highest of highs and it's lack of it in our lives can make us experience the lowest of lows. All humans want to be loved, but in life there is no guarantee that we will be loved. This can be vigorous and erratic towards those who seek love, and only experience heartbreak and deception due to their exposed vulnerability. I believe this poem has a lot of truth in terms of modern relationships in that, it is extremely difficult to make it work in this day and age, where everything is publicized and exposed to the publics eyes. The idea of getting with someone exclusively for their social prowess, and their materialistic possessions as opposed to what they can offer for self development and self growth.

 3. Jot down and respond to a favourite line or favourite image. What specifically do you like about the poem? Be specific, pay attention to beautiful words, phrases and language.

- "We, we who were, we are the same no longer."

- " Love is so short and oblivion so long."

- I like the overall consistent tone of a man expressing his doomed relationship. I like how he doesn't really know if the break up was his fault or his lovers fault. I believe the narrator is jaded to the point where his idea of love is masked in regret and pain. This makes me visualize the battles he is going through and understand his perspective.

 4. What is this poem saying? What ideas is the poem conveying?

- This poem is saying that we all have regret and sorrow in our love life, but it is up to us to own our mistakes and evolve as improved lovers. It is truly up to us if we will let our thoughts be capable of dictating our present love life, and restrict us from allowing us to express our true affection towards someone new. Every failed relationship, has something new to apply towards our new relationship, and this could be a strong contributing factor towards that relationship lasting longer.

 5. Personal connections: is there any way in which you relate to anything in the poem?

- Honestly, I haven't reach the amount of heartbreak or pain the narrator has solely from a relationship. Yes, I have experienced pain connected to love, but not to the extent of losing sleep over a significant other. However, one image from this story I can resonate with is staying up all night due to someone or something. Being a teen with a irregular sleeping schedule, I often have long nights where I cannot sleep. These extended nights can often cement me in thoughts of grief and hurt over prior experiences.

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Loyalty Is Royalty - Spoken Word

I can’t find you, where are you loyalty?

Something that everyone wants like a rare commodity,

But in reality,

The fake that takes your place only breeds anxiety,

And leaves me in desire of the person you were supposed to be,

With my two eyes, often I can’t see,

All these people, who only make me feel alone,

Making me feel like my house is my only home,

All this loneliness makes me cold to the bone,

Those rumours, only make me feel like I’m in the middle of a cyclone,

Searching for the unknown,

Which is … loyalty.

Loyalty is rare,

To me I find that unfair,

Everyone should have some devotion and faithfulness to share,

As is the answer every empty prayer,

Loyalty is what makes friendships worth the dare,

Often blinded by false companionship and love,

Giving it away because I often thought it would relive me of, all the negativity,

In this society,

Negativity is the only thing that fuels creativity,

All the rumours and gossip,

Keep going like a broken faucet,

Rumours that keep prevailing like a ruthless rocket,

Deteriorating the locket,

 That you had the key to,

 That protected my heart,

You kept switching sides, that only killed my faith,

Your dishonesty kept me sinking me like a bottomless lake,

The absence of your company left me cold like a snowflake,

All the hate,

Only caused ache,

You shifted so quickly, like an unexpected earth quake,

I thought you had my back,

But you continued to talk behind it,

You failed to admit,

You were a hypocrite,

Now you’re behind my back,

Like a distant memory you’re nothing but a flash-back,

But real friends do exist,

Put trust in what you cannot prove,

Like faith,

And all the hate inside your heart will dissipate,

And all the good things in life will only become great,

Put faith that your real friend will reappear,

And all the devouring fear will disappear,

Like the rainbow after the rain,

They’ll be with you through the storm and the shine,

Unite together like the lights in the Toronto skyline,

Take your time,

And refine your view,

Because eventually your real friend will find you.

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Purple - Colour Description

It smells like a field of violets blooming on the first day of Spring,

It is the feeling that a throne awaits if you put in the work,

It is the desire to breed and feed wealth,

It is the mystery that cannot be solved,

It is the softest silk rug that has a rough edge to it,

It is the loudest echo in the deepest cave,

It is identity confusion,

Not knowing if it is red or blue, or both,

But none,

As it is purple.

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Frozen Time

Sometimes I wish I could trap time in a bottle,

Not a water bottle or a metal flask,

Not a cup of juice or a wine glass,

but a time piece,

like a watch ticking at my own rate,

to live in the moment,

to feel the emotion of every action,

to hear the weight of every word,

In that bottle,

I’d nail the cap shut,

just to ensure time doesn’t slip the grips of my hands,

I’d take a trip down memory lane,

Every mesmerizing moment,

Every lost love,

Every mistake,

like a picture album but the pictures talked to me,

letting me know what was on their mind at that precise moment,

and the pages flipped whenever I wanted them to,

relieving the regrets,

bumping off the burdens,

With 24 hours in a day,

It feels less then more,

Everyday, I wake up, go to school, then work, then go to bed, like a continuous cycle,

like riding a bike with no handle, going in what ever direction the road rolled,

not knowing where my cycle may take me,

like a pilot flying a plane, back and fourth, but never enjoying the destination he landed on,

I get so fixated on fulfilling the future instead of preserving the present,

every precious moment I have, fly away from me,

is it the wind or the willingness not to let go,

elevate high,

higher then the sky,

and when I try to grasp my memories,

I end up falling,

falling into routine,

falling into formation,

falling into failure,

falling into life,

Unmet deadlines,

Dissatisfied loved ones,

Sold-out souls,

all these hours, but not enough time,

All things I face everyday,

not by choice,

but by circumstance,

All of the thoughts that cross my mind,

but not enough time to trigger them,

If I could stop time,

I would cherish every conversation,

I would listen more then I speak,

I’d walk to every destination,

I would put my phone down and bring my mind up,

I would tell people how I feel instead of how I’m supposed to feel,

I would prolong my homework to eternity,

But time doesn’t freeze,

it just flys with no clear ideal of stopping,

like a locomotive train with a broken brake,

It just goes and goes until the going stops going,

Time keeps ticking until we stop ticking,

Until then time will never freeze.

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Activity 4: Poetry - A Smile to Remember by Charles Bukowski

we had the goldfish and they went around and around

in the bowl on the table near the purple drapes

across our front picture window and

my mother, poor fish, always smiling, wanting to

appear happy, she always told me, "be happy, Henry,"

and she was right: it's better to be happy if you

can be

but my father beat her two or three times a week while

raging through his 6 foot two frame because he couldn't

defeat what was attacking him.

my mother, poor fish, poor goldfish, poor nothing fish,

wanting to be happy, being beaten two or three times a

week and telling me to be happy: "Henry, smile!

why don't you smile?

and then, she always did to show me how, and it was the

saddest smile I ever saw upon the earth, like hell and

hell and hell and hell, and nothing else

one day all the goldfish died, all five of them,

they floated on top of the water, on their sides, the

eye on each top side still open,

and when my father got home he threw them to the cat

there on the kitchen floor and we watched as my mother

smiled

1. Theme: what themes do you notice in the poem? Explain how the themes contribute to your understanding of the poem

Abuse: I personally believe abuse is a large aspect of this poem. This could either be mental abuse, or as implied in the poem, physical abuse. It takes a toll on the characters of the poem, specifically te mother and Henry. These two characters are vulnerable and are depicted as helpless and speechless. With the main character struggling to convey a pure smile, this could be evident towards how she is being treated in her household, and she could bottle up her emotion and feelings which could restrict her to smile. The father, who beats the mother on various occasions, could be struggling things that may cause him to act with rage and inferiority. The mother may see as smiling as a outlet to escape what she is experiencing, and by smiling more it makes her feel more stronger.

False Smiles: Smiles are a huge part of how we show our personal emotion and what is going through our mind. Smiles reflect true happiness. In this poem, it is clear that the characters have no clear reason to be happy. The father, struggles through various insecurities and burdens, which he reciprocates onto the mother, and Henry just watches as he feels helpless. I believe the characters look to smile, as it covers up all the things they struggle through and their smiles give them faith that one day they’ll be able to smile purely. In addition, the mother smiles throughout the poem, but I feel as if she truely smiles when she sees the gold fish die and are disregarded by the father. I feel as if she smiled, because she feels as if the fish met a fate better then hers, while she is trapped inside a house, her tank, the father continues to prey on her, like the cat, while Henry is the only thing that keeps her afloat, like the water. The gold fish and the mother are similar, in that they have things restricting them from living to their highest potential.

Speechless: I feel as if many things in the poem have lost the ability of freedom of speech. This can be as gold fish and cats being unable to speak, but in more specific the main characters losing their ability to express how they really feel. The father visualizes that expressing his struggle and telling people about these struggles will only make him look weaker, so to avoid the misrepresentation of his emotiom he enforces power by resorting to abuse. The mother doesn’t want to speak up about her emotion and her affection, because this could result in more hurting. Henry is speechless in terms of what he sees. He sees his father go through hardships and setbacks but doesn’t talk to him about them and acts like they aren’t there. He sees his mother get abused daily but doesn’t do anything about it. These characters fear the consequences of speaking out and expressing their vulnerability, thus in turn making them speechless.

2. Do you agree or disagree with with the poem? Explain your thinking.

I agree with the overall message this poem is exemplifying. The problems the characters advance through in the story are real world examples. We can’t act like these things don’t happen. Me, personally, I haven’t experienced the things the characters have gone through however I have talked with many people who have gone through similar scenarios. I feel like the poem does a great job at highlighting the faults in not speaking up and the consequences of our actions. If we do not speak up, someone around us or someone we truely care about could get hurt in the process. If we doubt our actions, people will doubt us. They will hurt and dessert us. That’s why we must make it clear how we truely feel and not hold back on our feelings because they hurt us more then help us.

3. Jot down and respond to a favourite line or favourite image. What specifically do you like about the poem? Be specific, pay attention to beautiful words, phrases and language.

My favourite lines or images include:

- “raging through his 6 foot two frame because he couldn't, defeat what was attacking him.”

- “my mother, poor fish, poor goldfish, poor nothing fish,”

I like the overall grim and dark nature the poem coveys. The last two poems we have read in class have been more light hearted, however this was a switch up in tone, imagery, and dialogue. I feel like this poem does a good job at telling me a message without specifically telling me. I feel as if the charecters in the story reflect many people in society in that there are so many reasons not to smile. School, work, bills, relationship, etc all tell us not to smile. But it truely takes strong people to fulfill a smile, and look over the positives more then the negatives.

4. What is this poem saying? What ideas is the poem conveying?

I believe the poem is expressing that it is okay to go through things. It’s not abnormal to have flaws, insecurities, or even depression and anxiety. We can not control what life gives us, but we can control how we react and what we do about that issue to evolve and learn. If we stay bottled up and hide our feelings behind a false smile, then we will not get anywhere in life. We deserve to be treated bad, if we let people treat us bad. Of course, not everyone can be outspoken or loud towards how they feel because it does require a great amount of strength and focus to stand up for what we believe in, however everyone must develop their voice. Our voice is what allows us to communicate, what allows us to scream, what allows us to sing and what allows us to pray. If we do not develop our own voice, we will continually let people speak for us, instead of genrally speaking for ourselves.

5. Personal connections: is there any way in which you relate to anything in the poem?

Though I have not been a victim of any sort of abuse, I do understand what it is like to restrict our emotion. On many occasions, I have hidden my emotion or my feelings because I didn’t want to be judged or critized. However, as I have grown and learnt more about life, I have learnt that I have nothing to lose by telling people how I feel. By doing so, I’m taking off pressures and insecurities and by being surrounded by the right people in have been able to live better and take every day one day at a time.

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Nothing But Life.

There are nurseries, that are full,

full of young life forms that aren’t aware of their existence, at-least not yet,

cribs full of eyes that cry nonstop,

from the dusk of day, to the noble of night,

those eyes, new and naive, have enough optimism to dream all day,

enough dreams to save us all from the reality of growing up and settling down,

the feet advance through the garden,

it’s soles kiss the green grass,

in it, light, bright, delight,

like a flower growing,

as we were all flowers, some blossoming, some blooming, yet all beautiful.

There are warm bodies,

not warm because of a flaming fever,

but warm because of the affection they assume,

hands full of fire,

not the flame that burns away skin,

but the flame that shields the souls of the person they hold from the cold,

there is life inside the skin,

it’s peachy surface,

like molten lava from an emerging volcano,

it’s surface is what people see at first sight,

clear and colourful,

full of energy and ambition,

like a house full of party,

crowds full of company, but not enough time to appease all,

the party only ends when we let it,

or when the grim reaper complains about the noise,

I feel like a dove with no wings,

above all, down below,

gliding through the clouds,

higher then the sky,

but not yet ready to die,

flying free and fluorescent,

feathers full of white,

the type of white that devours the grounds in the winter,

white that can blind or breath-take those who behold it,

life is like a white blank canvas at the beginning,

but it is up to us to paint a full picture,

My love is like a field full of roses,

divided, distributed and devoted,

some white, some gold, some purple,

when my love is broken, inferiority burns the field down, but faith replants seeds to ensure I love again once more,

but all my roses are red at heart,

red, the colour of blood, is the colour of the floods of love that is shared to those I care of most,

the thrones, as sharp as the rushing seven seas,

the peddles as soft as the sand at the bottom of the mercury waters,

the love is like an ocean, some times rough, sometimes calm, but always flowing,

If death arrives to those who sound,

then life lands to those who stay stagnant,

it’s purpose, to rejuvenate and re-inspire those who are lost,

like a map to a tourist or a bible to a sinner,

life gives us confidence,

like a boy in his first suit, feeling like a man for the first time,

or a woman in her favourite shoes walking away from her problems without looking back,

life is the loudest entity,

it’s voice, is the first snowfall of winter, or the first drop of rain in spring,

silent, yet it speaks for itself,

unexpected, unplanned, unorthodox, yet needed in some way to live,

If death is the broom that sweeps away the mess,

then life is the hand that littered or the mouth that spat,

not going around the World like a bounty hunter,

but already being within us,

born in us, embedded in us,

flawed, forsaken but faith is what made it meant to be,

meant to live,

meant to be human,

We cannot outrun death,

because death does not run with or against us,

we run to death,

life is the marathon that we take breaks from and stop,

each stop is a memory created,

yet when we eventually finish,

when we end, death will be the finish line we cross,

waiting to crown us with the medal of solidarity, the medal no one ever desires, yet everyone will eventually have,

it takes us, ready or not, pushing us to the afterlife,

Life is the vintage coat with the missing button,

the pair of leather boots with a glaring crease in the middle,

the pair of perfectly tailored pants that is stained,

the white shirt that turns yellow over time,

if death is the well dressed Admiral of the navy, then life is the scrabbled, distressed General of the army,

like a yin-yang, the sun and the moon,

there is no death without life, and there is no life without death.

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Activity #2 - Poetry: Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.

It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.

It promises light

like the careful undressing of love.

Here.

It will blind you with tears

like a lover.

It will make your reflection

a wobbling photo of grief.

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.

Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,

possessive and faithful

as we are,

for as long as we are.

Take it.

Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,

if you like.

Lethal.

Its scent will cling to your fingers,

cling to your knife.

  1. Theme: what themes do you notice in the poem? Explain how the themes contribute to your understanding of the poem

I believe there are three main themes in the poem. They include, Hidden Beauty, Trouble Love, and Faithfulness. In this specific poem, I believe the themes help make me better understand what the thought process was between the two characters. Why they have an onion, what stage they are at a relationship, how strong their love is, and what the occasion is are all lingering questions that are easily explained throughout the poem through the themes. If I didn't outline what I thought the themes were, I would have trouble analyzing the poem and eventually begin to judge the poem at face value. I would begin to judge the characters and think the use of an onion was obscure. However, by understanding the themes, I overall understand the poem, which makes me enjoy reading the poem that much more.

Themes:

- Hidden Beauty: I believe this poem demonstrates this topic due to the main concept of an onion. To many an onion is just a vegetable that is just used as a commodity in the kitchen. But in this poem, it is deconstructed. It’s size, scent, colour all have broadened depth in my eyes. I believe that onions have a reputation of just being a vegetable at face value, but when the author takes this concepts and ties into other themes it makes it more interesting. Now, onions in a way, symbolize love and the twists and turns it goes through.

- Troubled Love: This poem emulates how love can transition into trouble if it is not nurtured with the correct ingredients. To me, the onion is used as some sort of device or item that is meant to rehabilitate and transcend this relationship's love. The onion and it's characteristics represent how the person who still loves the other person in the relationship, however the other person's love is beginning to fade and diminish. This is demonstrated through the use of the onion's smell (clinging on towards the person), the onion's appearance, and how it can be divided into several pieces.

- Faithfulness: Faithfulness is a major theme in this poem. The onion is used as a test of the love between the two. On Valentine's Day, normally couples expect sappy cards and bundles of chocolate, but this is only for one day. The very next day, that love is an after thought and everything is back to normal. The onion is a testament that the love shared is everlasting and regardless of circumstances and image and beauty fading, the love will always stay round. If the other person accepts the onion as a Valentine's Day present, then the love is still strong between the two, and regardless of what or where the present came from, the person will still accept it and understand the amount of heart placed upon it.

 2. Do you agree or disagree with with the poem? Explain your thinking.

 - I overall do agree with the message this poem is attempting to convey. I think in all relationships, not just romantic relationships but in all relationships we encounter. In most cases, there comes a time where this relationship can begin to stagnate and freeze in motion, which is completely fine. However, it is up to the two people in the relationship to evolve and implement fresh techniques in order to keep the relationship satisfying and beneficial for both sides.

 3. Jot down and respond to a favourite line or favourite image. What specifically do you like about the poem? Be specific, pay attention to beautiful words, phrases and language

 My favourite lines include:

- "It is a moon wrapped in brown paper. It promises light"   

 This line stood out in my opinion due to the metaphorical meaning behind it. I believe all things can reflect or conduct light, whether it is simply a light bulb, which is meant to literally make light, or a human being, which is meant to be happy and live in the light. We can reciprocate the light we absorb or bottle it up and fill our souls with darkness that cloud our energy. I believe this is the case for many people as, everyone can shine, but we must be able to fine the right place and time to do so.    

-  "It will make your reflection, a wobbling photo of grief."

I like this line because of how I was able to visualize the image and paint it in my head. On various occasions, I find it difficult to do so with poetry due to the amount of over analyzation I normally do. However, with this I was able to see a women's face reflecting in the platinum surface of a fresh, round, peeled onion, and her feeling discomfort about her image and the current phase of her relationship.

 4. What is this poem saying? What ideas is the poem conveying?

- I believe this poem is saying how modern love and relationships are inevitable to fade and fall apart. Though not coming out recently, this poem speaks a lot about how relationships are currently. I believe this poem was ahead of it's time in that aspect. In comparison to how my parents for example, their relationship has lasted for 30+ years, and still find new ways to love each other regardless of what burdens and challenges they face. However, current relationships, especially in high school and among young adults, love is. love is thrown around and many people just say it but don't feel it. This poem highlights concepts like materialism, expectations vs. reality, stagnation, faithfulness and troubled love.  With this poem, it is clear two people are in love, but one person is feeling less warm about the love. The other person in the relationship begins to try to fix and put the pieces back together.

 5. Personal connections: is there any way in which you relate to anything in the poem?

 I can relate to the hardships of a relationship. I believe a relationships is a two sided thing where both parties must contribute towards the overall goodness and enjoy each others company. If this is not somewhat met, it can begin to feel one sided and the passion that was once there has pasted on. I can also relate towards a relationship kind of freezing and not progressing on wards. This is due to how me being a high school student especially, has put me in various situations where I've had to outgrow certain friendships and just stopped talking to individuals, not because there was any conflict or tension, but rather it was doing what was better for me.

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“Sometimes It’s Better Not To Tell The Truth” - Opinionated Response (Writer’s Craft)

Exposing the truth is more then just a set of words and actions. It is more complex then just the 3 words: “I am Sorry”. The truth involves two individuals, who must have the strength to own up to their actions, own up to their consequences, have the trust in each other and the faith that things will eventually get better, in order to progress onwards.

In my opinion, the truth, as honest and hurtful as it may be, is the correct way to approach a situation most of the time. Regardless of the circumstances, I believe exposing the truth helps reconcile what was once broken and build upon a relationship where trust has been misplaced. But telling the truth often is not so easy, and neither is accepting it. In life, we often are so selfish and spoiled with what we have to the point where we begin to be greedy for more. More in power, materialistic things, in image and more in control. This makes us not take into account how others individuals may feel, where it’s all fun and games until some one gets hurt. Regardless of any apology or sympathy we offer, one will never feel the pain and experience the aganoy of something until they personally experience it for themselves. When we do experience that, we will be able to see that pain from a different perspective and begin to be more understanding then we once were before. In order to do so, we must put our pride a side and attempt to view each side and try to simulate the emotion each person was feeling at that certain time, which is no easy task.

In the bible, it states that “The truth shall set you free...”. I find this important because, as human beings, we are all metaphorical prisoners in some type of way. Prisoners to institutions such as school, work and society, but also prisoners to laws, social norms, stereotypes, and image. These are all things that restrict us from defining the ordinary and all things that have guidelines we must follow in order to correctly function. This is a critical point because in these concepts we often lie in order to impress people who we don’t even like or lie in order to avoid relationship congestion and provide a sense of temporary comfort and ease.

With this comes being prisoners to lies. Lies are told every second around the World. In our schools, workplaces and even in our homes. It is human nature to do so, and lying can take place as early as in our adolescence years. Seen as a Sin, it is clear we feel regret and unsteadiness when we create one. So the question arises, Why lie? Why be the negative pushing factor for a persons feelings? Why place the balance of a relationship on a line that has no reassurance that things will turn out the same? I feel as if people lie to avoid disappointment, to avoid vulnerability, and the urge to make the lie their truth. I feel as if in society, we have so many means that we must meet in order to live a healthy and happy life. This list of responsibilities and concepts we must live up to is overwhelming and most human beings cannot live up to them. We are not superhumans, nobody is perfect and nobody ever will be perfect.

However, we have the weight of the World on our shoulders. I feel like by telling a lie temporarily avoids disappointment. The concept of disappointing a loved one or someone we desperately care about is a concept most people want to avoid because it burns. It’s unsettling. But it burns more prolifically when the truth gets out. By lying we provide a temporary band aid to the cuts that will be put into fruition when the truth is told. While telling the truth is often the best route to take when approaching this type of situation, I believe sometimes telling the truth isn’t the best route to take. In my opinion, sometimes we must lie to protect those we care about the most. Yes, lies are painful and can cause a large rift in a relationship but sometimes the truth hurts more.

A real World example could be demonstrated all around us. As young adults, we heavily rely on what other people have to say and their opinion. This is made to the point where we begin to mould ourselves into something we’re not and build ourselves up of lies. Another example can be, if a friend gets a haircut, and you don’t necessarily like their hair, you may lie and say you like it to avoid making the person feel insecure and hurt. This ties into the concept of lying to protecting those we care about the most.

But also, not telling the truth could be troublesome as well. An example of this can be lying to our parents. Lying to parents to temporarily avoid burdens may only cause larger isssues and will have various consequences after.

In conclusion, I believe telling to the truth is absolutely the best way to approach a problem. However, in certain scenarios, we must lie in order to protect those we care about the most, which arises the concept of “The Greater Good” and overall doing what is best over doing what is right. The truth is, lies are all around us, but it is up to us to distinguish what is true and protect who we care about the most.

[the-rodas-post]

My Dreams Chase Me...

It’s been 47 and a half hours, since my top eye lid reunited with my bottom lid.

These 2 days have felt like 4, me experiencing 2 days and 2 nights.

Assignments and tests, keeping me up, depriving me of rest.

My round spheres have seen the best and worst,

The sun’s peak and the moon’s meek,

The light or dark, either hide or hold me.

I can feel every drop of water falling as if it was intentional,

My eyes, as red as a drop of blood, are battling to stay up.

The bags that stem under my eyes are heavier then any bag I’ve held in my life,

I look around the room, and see smiles and laughter, and begin to ask myself if I’m dreaming.

I can’t even tell fantasy from reality,

If I fall asleep, will I dream? Or will it just be the nightmare I’ve been living in.

[the-rodas-post]

Activity #1 - Poetry: The Eigth Of September - By: Pablo Neruda

This day, Today, was a brimming glass.

This day, Today, was an immense wave.

This day was all the Earth.

This day, the storm-driven ocean

lifted us up in a kiss

so exalted we trembled

at the lightning flash

and bound as one, fell,

and drowned, without being unbound.

This day our bodies grew

stretched out to Earth’s limits,

orbited there, melded there

to one globe of wax, or a meteor’s flame.

A strange door opened, between us,

and someone, with no face as yet,

waited for us there

1. Theme: what themes do you notice in the poem? Explain how the themes contribute to your understanding of the poem

I believe there are several themes presented in this poem. These include love, growth, new beginnings and heartbreak. I believe themes help the reader easily comprehend the general points of a poem. Poems on various occasions can be difficult to understand and read, due to the complex volcabulary used. But with themes, it helps break down a poem in a way that the reader can take what is given and interprete to their liking and knowledge.

- Theme #1: Love - Throughtout this poem I believe it is made apparent that the character is in love or has been love recently. This is due to the line “lifted us in a kiss”. With this line it is demonstating how the narrator feels elevated by the kiss of a certain someone, which creates the idea that the narrator is in love or has some sort of affection for the other person in the poem.

- Theme #2: Growth - I believe growth is exhibited throughout the poem from beginning to end. I think the character not only grows physically but also in terms of knowledge and wisedom the character absorbs. One line that demonstrates this is “This day our bodies grew, stretched out to Earth’s limits,”. This highlights how we as people grow due to the limitations that are placed upon us by fate or by choice. However, it is up to us in terms of how we can take what is given and make something out of it.

- Theme #3: New Beginnings: In the poem, it is made apparent that this person is going through a significant day or time period. When we reach the conclusion of the poem, it ends on a high note in my opinion. I believe with the usage of the door in the story this creates an interesting dynamic, where this person is faces a new opportunity at the end.

- Theme #4: Heartbreak: With love being an important piece of this poem, I believe it’s equivalent, heartbreak, also contributes to the overall theme of the poem. This creates an interesting palette to paint with in the story. I believe heartbreak is a main theme due to the narrator pointing out the concept of drowning. Drowning has the power to sufficate one to the point where they cannot breath and in the story it is outlined that this person is drowning. Literally or figuratively, I believe this due to the burdens and circumstances this person faces, including heartbreak.

2. Do you agree or disagree with with the poem? Explain your thinking.

I generally do agree with this poem. I believe many of the themes that it portrays give me a different perspective. The poem has a strong message overall and I think this message can be distributed in various ways that can be applied to life.

3. Jot down and respond to a favourite line or favourite image. What specifically do you like about the poem? Be specific, pay attention to beautiful words, phrases and language.

Favourite lines/words include:

- “This day our bodies grew , stretched out to Earth’s limits,”

- “This day, Today, was an immense wave.”

- “drowned, without being unbound.”

- “exalted”

- “brimming”

- “This day, Today, was an immense wave.” : I like this line in particular because of the metaphorical meaning behind it. I believe life in many ways shares similar traits to waters or waves in how it can get rough and rugged but it can also be smooth and peaceful, but it is up to the person in how they take those waters. A famous saying goes as following “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”, and I believe that this can be applied to the line in particular. This is evident to how the seas can get difficult to sail, however this burdens and road bumps are only meant to prepare us for future events and develop us into more skilled individuals.

4. What is this poem saying? What ideas is the poem conveying?

I believe the poem is saying various things. First, I believe it is trying to exhibit how the narrator is going through a very important can critical time, as the day is importnat for this persons growth. In addition, I can see that the narrator has a relationship with a significant other in the poem, and this relationship could be positive (as it is demonstrated that the kisses between them, uplift her to different extents) or this relationship could be negative in terms of drowning and the new face being a better person for the narrator. I believe this poem does a solid job at tying together the metaphorical uses of Earths natural forces (water, rain, thunder, space) with everyday forces in life such as heartbreak, personal growth, relationships and evolving.

5. Personal connections: is there any way in which you relate to anything in the poem?

In my opinion, I can relate to the poem. Perhaps not in the way the narrator explains it, but in terms of interpretation and belief. The narrator goes through several rough patches and hardships throughout the poem, however at the end, is faced with calm and a new door. This for can be demonstrated as a new opportunity, and I believe in life everyone can get the right opportunity if they are aware at the time. In addition, I like the concept of growth. I believe that life only gets harder when you are ready to grow and evolve as a person. Regardless of status or image, all human beings face problems. Problems, depending on the person make us strong if we have the power to persevere through the challenge and learn from that experience and apply that towards the next challenge we may face.

[the-rodas-post]

Swinging Away In Spring.

The echo of the metal swing crunching, as we laid together in the bloom of spring.

Your brown mahogany eyes gave me hope that tomorrow would be a better day.

Your lips, luscious and loving, always knew what to say at the right time.

Your arm’s warmth outmatched any winter blanket, giving me reassurance that I’d survive the brink of freezing over.

Broken pieces from your last love, I was the glue, trying to put you back together to see the bigger picture. You were life’s hardest puzzle.

Our relationship was as unpredictable as the weather.

We had rainstorms, we had sunshine, but most importantly we had each other.

Together we blossomed as the seasons transitioned.

But the season of new beginnings was the end for us.

As the flowers grew, we deteriorated.

Your love diminished. It was like a dessert that deserted me without water.

Those arms, once warm, were colder then the dark nights you held me from.

Those same arms that held me, were the same arms that pushed me away.

You preferred his shine, over mine.

It was time for me to grow without you.

[the-rodas-post]

My Biggest Insecurity

Throughout my life, I’ve had my fair share of insecurities. Things such as confidence issues and acne have had taken a tole on my personal self esteem. However I would say that my greatest insecurity would have to be my fear of failure. This is something that was prominent through my first years of high school, and is something I struggle with to this day. Ever since high school began, I wanted to do my absolute best in everything because I felt like my elementary school experience was stagnant. I wanted to make my family proud, I wanted to have a big circle and I thought others happiness would result in my own personal happiness. Whether it was school work, friendships, or hobbies, I wanted to ensure that I always reached some sort of perfection. I would struggle with this as it began to make me lose sleep, lose pride and lose self respect. I was so focused on what others would think that I couldn’t even think for myself. Some nights I would go sleepless just staring at my ceiling, thinking about my life and my future and where I’d end up in the next 5 years. But as years passed and friends came and went, I realized that it’s okay to fail. It’s okay to fail tests, fail friends, and fail at life’s obstacles. It’s okay to be human and have faults and vulnerability. However it wasn’t okay to fail to stay true to myself. I was so fixated upon impressing people, that I forgot the only person I needed to impress is myself. I learnt that in life, there’s no mistakes, only lessons. With this I understood, I need to make mistakes in order to flourish and learn.

[the-rodas-post]

Love Scars. - A Conversation I’ve Been Longing To Have....

At the time I was ignorant towards what you were going through,

I painted your weakness as something that would fade, without looking at the bigger picture.

You were absent in my life when I needed you most, Little did I know there was a reason to why you were gone.

Your absence left a void in my heart, a void that I thought would never be filled.

You were my personal guidance councillor growing up, giving me advice and wisdom whenever I desired. But my guidance councillor needed guidance.

Our bond, strong and studious, was something we swore we’d never break. But, It was broken.

Dreams of bigger and better things in the backyard of March break. The grass was as green as the things we envisioned in the future.

But as you moved on to high school, you moved away from me.

Every year that pasted felt like more miles added to the distance of our closeness.

Those words cut deep, deeper the the knives, you used on yourself.

Bullies at school breaking down your self esteem, you isolated yourself from me, but most importantly yourself.

Your smile, something that was a rare commodity, was something you rarely did. It was as rare as a full moon.

You had the voice of an angel, but you were often outspoken.

The bags you held, that roomed under your eyes were heavier then any designer bag in your closet.

I kept saying “I hate you”, “I hate you”, “I hate you” until I forgot the meaning of the word “hate”.

I said I hated you more then I loved you.

I didn’t even know who you were, but most importantly I didn’t even know who I was.

Words that had no weight,

Texts that had no truth,

Promises that had no purpose,

We didn’t talk for years.

You always said you were always one call away, but that call felt like it was long distance with no reception.

That call was the hardest call I had to make.

Each number dialed felt like a rock lifted off of my back,

Each ring felt like every time I needed you and you weren’t there,

I call out to you hoping you respond. But you didn’t.

Disappointment and despair disabating my dome,

The feeling was like finding out Santa Claus wasn’t real,

Or finding out your hero was a villain.

The days move on, and so do I.

I move forward without getting the urge to look back.

But today, is a new day.

You call back,

All the love you bottled up, spills out,

Into my heart,

I understand you and you understood me.

Heart to heart, eye to eye, I cry to you in the atmosphere of an eerie, empty bar.

I forgave you and hope you forgive me.

I kiss you on the forehead and kiss the old part of me goodbye.

[the-rodas-post]

The Escaped Dove.

Stemming from the irritating piles of hay in the barn, was me.

This barn, though home to some of God’s greatest creations, was hell to me.

Surrounded by darkness that deprived my sole of the outside world, and tools that sole purpose was to be put into the ground and put to the side.

I didn’t know my purpose.

This life, I didn’t choose, was placed on me.

These walls. Wooden. Aged. Faded. Always felt like they were closing in on me.

I was trapped.

The small sample of sunlight seeping through the hole in the wall, was evident that my world wasn’t meant to shine.

It would only shine by mistake.

That was until I met you.

That moment our eyes locked, it felt like the roof of that barn flew off, exposing the infrared rays that were absent my whole life.

Your Love Was My Mourning Dove.

Your jet black hair, long, luscious, locks flew through the October wind like a kite, bringing joy to a young child, you brought the same to me.

Your eyes, deeper then the depths of outer space, kept me levitating.

We were strangers that moment we locked eyes, but it felt like I knew you for years.

Your affection was like scissors, cutting away my shackles, fate locked on me.

Your Love Was My Mourning Dove.

Like a dove, you’d glide through the prevailing winds of society. Unphased. Unbothered.

Your hums, beautiful hums, were warm enough to light a fireplace.

Your dreams were you’re wings, keeping you’re head in the clouds, even when reality was pulling you down.

Your personality, as deep as a jungle. Full of unexpected events that kept me swinging.

Aspiring to become a teacher,

you taught me my purpose.

Your Love Was My Mourning Dove.

But all good things come to an end.

You had to move away for your dream to come true.

All of sudden, this relationship only benefited one side. My side.

The harvest green vines I swung from, were now ripped, and cut to the floor.

The dove I once met, was now a crow.

The darkness that blinded my output, returned.

But it was darker then ever. As dark as a black hole in space.

Your eyes that kept me levitating, turned to lies.

The space was now suffocating my lungs. I couldn’t breath.

The same scissors that cut my shackles were now cutting me out of your life.

My Mourning Dove flew away.

[the-rodas-post]

The Best Lessons, Never Came From The Classroom....

She was the first thing I saw,

Her gentle touch, a touch that tapped into my soul,

A touch as warm as the summer solstice,

Those hands,

Soft and sympathetic,

Held me from adolescence to adulthood.

Her hair was shiny, resembling that of a pot of gold.

It glowed bright through the night.

Those eyes,

Often confused me with the colour of the sweetest chocolate,

Saw the beauty in everything.

Her height wasn’t a representation of he personality.

5 foot in height, 7 foot at heart.

The beauty of unconditional love was pure,

it was wholesome.

Behind all my grief, suffering and pain,

She would be the one to listen,

I was the broken record,

She was the record player.

She was my strength when I was weak,

She was the glimmer of light in a midnight dark creek.

She was the thing that woke me up in the morning,

She was the thing that kept me up in the night.

She was with me when she wasn’t,

Like roads following you without moving.

Moments that I wished lasted for millenniums.

The memories were everlasting.

Teaching me the most valuable lessons about life,

Teaching me to live, to love, to laugh,

She was the greatest teacher.

Inspiring me to reach for the clouds,

That encouragement was a testament to the type of individual she was.

But there was something just beneath the surface,

A warrior of the past, a peacemaker of the present,

Her emotions and troubles were not something that imprisoned her.

Letting go helped more, then holding on.

She was a free spirit.

My best friend, My guidance, my heart, but most importantly,

My Mom.

[the-rodas-post]

I will never abandon my loved ones.

Growing up my parents were the first things my eyes saw. The gentle touch of my mothers hands tapped into my soul to provide a sense of comfort. Growing up she instilled the values I needed in order to succeed in life. She offered guidance, love and support. The very thought of hurting my mom clouded my mind. This would change, As life began to move faster, days turned to months and months turned to years. That young child that didn’t know a thing about the world, was now a senior in high school. My views have shifted heavily since i was born. Everyday was another opportunity to grow and revise. My mind began to differ from my mom, as we had different opinions on my future. All of a sudden, the perfect parental figure didn’t seem perfect through my eye. Was it me? What was I doing wrong? What was resulting in arguments every other day? We didn’t know. Leaving my mom began to feel more of a reality instead of a possibility. As my senior year emerged, I decided to apply for University Dorming that was miles away from home. Once I got accepted, I decided to hold back the news until graduation day to save my mom the burden of pain and the very thought of one of her birds leaving the nest. It was June. The Weather was boiling hot but not as hot as my insides were feeling. My mind was running miles like a race car, packed with an abundance of thoughts and anxieties. The build up of a couple months began to feel like I was carrying the weight of a thousand lies. As I walked across the stage, I looked at my mom in the eyes. She was in the audience. There was a sense of despair in her eyes. I shook the principals hand and the ceremony concluded. It was time to break the news. I was welcomed by a series of hugs and kisses from all my family members, young and old. I didn’t want to break the moment, but I had too. If not now then when. I pulled my mom to the side, and said “I need to tell you something important”, she replied with “Sure, what’s going on? Is everything fine?” I then said “yes I’m as happy as can be. But I need to tell you that I’m planning to go to school across the city next year.” Shaken by the news, she didn’t talk to me that whole night. The light of the moon, didn’t feel as radiant as it did in prior nights. I couldn’t sleep, and If I did I had nightmares. Waking up the next morning, my mom was sitting at the breakfast morning table. It was moving day. Before I could say anything she told me “ go for it, I’ll always be here for you.” I grabbed my bags and headed for the bus. I hugged her, and that hug was as warm as the first one she gave me. That one statement always shot a whole through my heart, little did I know that would be the last time I saw her again.