a poetic response to "The Metaphor" by Budge Wilson
Miss Hancock, you were the book few bothered to open
You were the old song that nobody knew
You were the vegetables on the dinner plate that nobody ate
You were the question that few knew the correct answer to
You were plump, bright, and overenthusiastic
Your love for teaching only grew
Even after all the hate from your students
You still tried to fly over the gloom
To me, you were a friend, a person who I looked up to
You accomplished the impossible, making students want to learn
Your noticeable makeup always kept me entertained
You were the survivor in the junior high community
Mother didn't like you, but to be fair, she didn't understand you
Your bright clothes, over friendliness, and enthusiasm did not please her
She judged your flamboyant orange hair, your makeup, and your persona too soon
My mother is calm, collected, controlling and cold, it's not like she knew any better
High school came, and I admit, I changed
I only pretended not to care to fit in
Honestly, I recognized you, and I apologize for not catching up with you
If only I spoke with you, not caring what others thought, would you have been here today?
I'm sorry that I stopped writing
I'm sorry that I hid my joy
I'm sorry that I left you to fend for yourself
I'm sorry for not saying this to you sooner
English is empty, it is like a box, like my home sweet home
There is now no joy to be found wherever I go
I called you a frosted cake, with many layers and depth
But now, I call you my muse
Wednesday 19 November 2014
Thursday 30 October 2014
Mother Knows Best
a poetic response to "The Sound of the Hollyhocks" by H. Garner
There he was, not in body, but in soul
A treasure buried beneath the ground but forever trapped
Oh son, why did you have to go? What made you get the rope?
Was it the doctor who made you stay, or the girl that faded away?
I did everything for you, everything I could
I gave you status, money, and life of pure content
You could've been rich beyond wild belief and had a wife who was the same
Yet you married that wench thinking that all would be fun and games
She didn't do anything for you, she didn't care
She's the one that left you in despair
You had the burdens, she had nothing to strain
She was just a dog looking for a good bone
If only you let me take you away
I would've kept you safe, would've kept you alive
If only you knew that she was the real reason that you were in that dreaded place
Her death left a mark that couldn't be erased
I kept you from anything that could be in harm's way
They always say "Mother knows best", but nobody told you that it seems
Now all I have left is an empty feeling in my heart
And a flower to remind me of that devil of a girl
There he was, not in body, but in soul
A treasure buried beneath the ground but forever trapped
Oh son, why did you have to go? What made you get the rope?
Was it the doctor who made you stay, or the girl that faded away?
I did everything for you, everything I could
I gave you status, money, and life of pure content
You could've been rich beyond wild belief and had a wife who was the same
Yet you married that wench thinking that all would be fun and games
She didn't do anything for you, she didn't care
She's the one that left you in despair
You had the burdens, she had nothing to strain
She was just a dog looking for a good bone
If only you let me take you away
I would've kept you safe, would've kept you alive
If only you knew that she was the real reason that you were in that dreaded place
Her death left a mark that couldn't be erased
I kept you from anything that could be in harm's way
They always say "Mother knows best", but nobody told you that it seems
Now all I have left is an empty feeling in my heart
And a flower to remind me of that devil of a girl
Wednesday 22 October 2014
For the Children- Free Verse to "Gentlemen Your Verdict"
How was I to tell my crew that all hope was lost?
No ships, no planes, no rescuers that were going to come our way
I had 5 married men, and 15 who are not, what was I to do?
I couldn't save them all, yet I couldn't save only one or two
I had no choice, I had to do what felt right
The men with loving wives and innocent children couldn't just die
The other 15, oh poor lads they were
Their sacrifice is what reunited the 5 families once again
I couldn't just let myself live, not after what I'd done
I killed my best crew, a coward was I ,with no real thought-out plan
I was running out of time, didn't want to imagine shed tears and cries
So I drank the liquid that united 15 brave men
Once the cold liquid ran down my throat, I understood what my men must've felt
Betrayal, sadness, but grateful towards a painless death
As long as there were survivors who could go home safely, my job was done
To have all weights on my own two shoulders was enough
I drag all the guilt, shame, and grief with me, as a true leader should
For it is better that I do so alone, then have the 5 men thought of as guilty
I may be thought of as a murderer, an evil man with no heart
But I did for the sake of the children, for their families not to part
-Lieutenant Commander Oram
Friday 17 October 2014
Book Blabber #1: The Giver by: Lois Lowry
“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.” ― Lois Lowry, The Giver
Have you ever wondered what society would be like if we had no control of ourselves? What if the government decided every single aspect of our lives? It's a world that's unimaginable to us, but in The Giver, it's real life.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMZPIaSsg2FjLydTNUlUFcdQMz9DOB0cn0VmT1TO3qBRNTgj0ApMasGVgn-eFPpDZRJGvIiZnVjBd6x_68rMwOdix6qj82_TPVLKvmsbUFmN8pCy5ifIp1UkFVA-TFTjQoXULGW1MCW4/s1600/the+giver.jpg
The Giver is set in a community that's locked in. You can only go so far before it's impossible to go any further because of a force field. Within that community, there is a group called the Committee of Elders, who serve as the government. They make all the rules since: a) they have most of the power and b) because of past dilemmas caused by humans. The Committee took away many aspects of the human life, mainly freedom and all that's encompassed within it. The whole community is black and white, literally, and nobody feels any true emotion. In this community, everything is 100% perfect. There are no wars, no pain, no worry, and no fear. Your siblings are also given to you. Females are chosen as Birthmothers, whose only role is to give birth. During the ceremonies of age, the babies are named and given to the parents whom the Committee have chosen. You also cannot be disrespectful and there are also a limited number of jobs, or Assignments, in the community, and they include: a Fish hatchery Attendant, Assistant Director of Recreation, and Caretaker of the Old. But there is one job that hasn't been given to any child for hundreds of years: the job of the Receiver.
There is only one man who has more knowledge, and therefore more power, than the Committee of Elders, and that is the Giver. He is the only person who knows the past of human existence, the only one who knows what emotions feel like, what colours look like, and what memories were like. When the Committee doesn't know how to fix a new problem, they go to him for the answers. But one child had been chosen to be the Receiver and that child was Jonas.
Jonas is the protagonist in the story. He's an Eleven, which is his age, turning twelve in December. Every year, there is a ceremony of ages, and during each one, the children are given new privileges, like getting a bike in the Ceremony of Nine. However, the Ceremony of Twelve is the last and most important one of all because each child is given their job, and it's the last ceremony before adulthood. After, the children go on as apprentices, until they take on the job fully. Jonas dreads the Ceremony of Twelve because he can no longer have fun and be carefree. What he doesn't realize is that he's entirely different from the other kids his age. Throughout the novel, you see how Jonas' character develops, how he soon comes to realize that not everything is what it seems. His picture perfect world is falling apart, but he's the main reason for it.
Personally, I think that the overall book is a fantastic read. The plot itself is really unique and interesting. There aren't many books out there that are about how human life would be like if it were "perfect". The whole concept of the story is also really relatable because as Jonas experiences the memories that the Giver gives to him, it reminded me of how I was like when I first went through them as well; when Jonas first experienced snow, pain, and love for family and friends, it reminded me of how they were like when they were my firsts also. The other characters in the book, such as Gabe, Fiona, Lily, Asher, and the Giver, were great additions to the storyline as well. They all played significant roles in the story, and they all contributed to why Jonas did what he did and thought what he did.
I have to hand it to Lois Lowry. He put in a lot of effort to build this world and make it come alive on the pages. His writing is very detailed, but not to point where it's just boring. The Giver looks like and is a short read, but the story of these characters are so well integrated that it helps the reader form a connection with the book.
I highly recommend this novel to people who are looking for something new and different to read about. It's definitely something that will make you ponder about today's world and how lucky we truly are. The Giver was a captivating and fun read, one that you should, without a doubt, check out.
https://engagetheirminds.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/recite-21386-380820449-63xcrr.png
Have you ever wondered what society would be like if we had no control of ourselves? What if the government decided every single aspect of our lives? It's a world that's unimaginable to us, but in The Giver, it's real life.
The Giver is set in a community that's locked in. You can only go so far before it's impossible to go any further because of a force field. Within that community, there is a group called the Committee of Elders, who serve as the government. They make all the rules since: a) they have most of the power and b) because of past dilemmas caused by humans. The Committee took away many aspects of the human life, mainly freedom and all that's encompassed within it. The whole community is black and white, literally, and nobody feels any true emotion. In this community, everything is 100% perfect. There are no wars, no pain, no worry, and no fear. Your siblings are also given to you. Females are chosen as Birthmothers, whose only role is to give birth. During the ceremonies of age, the babies are named and given to the parents whom the Committee have chosen. You also cannot be disrespectful and there are also a limited number of jobs, or Assignments, in the community, and they include: a Fish hatchery Attendant, Assistant Director of Recreation, and Caretaker of the Old. But there is one job that hasn't been given to any child for hundreds of years: the job of the Receiver.
There is only one man who has more knowledge, and therefore more power, than the Committee of Elders, and that is the Giver. He is the only person who knows the past of human existence, the only one who knows what emotions feel like, what colours look like, and what memories were like. When the Committee doesn't know how to fix a new problem, they go to him for the answers. But one child had been chosen to be the Receiver and that child was Jonas.
http://onefrenchieintheus.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/black-blackandwhite-fun-grey-memories-favim-co.jpg
Personally, I think that the overall book is a fantastic read. The plot itself is really unique and interesting. There aren't many books out there that are about how human life would be like if it were "perfect". The whole concept of the story is also really relatable because as Jonas experiences the memories that the Giver gives to him, it reminded me of how I was like when I first went through them as well; when Jonas first experienced snow, pain, and love for family and friends, it reminded me of how they were like when they were my firsts also. The other characters in the book, such as Gabe, Fiona, Lily, Asher, and the Giver, were great additions to the storyline as well. They all played significant roles in the story, and they all contributed to why Jonas did what he did and thought what he did.
I have to hand it to Lois Lowry. He put in a lot of effort to build this world and make it come alive on the pages. His writing is very detailed, but not to point where it's just boring. The Giver looks like and is a short read, but the story of these characters are so well integrated that it helps the reader form a connection with the book.
I highly recommend this novel to people who are looking for something new and different to read about. It's definitely something that will make you ponder about today's world and how lucky we truly are. The Giver was a captivating and fun read, one that you should, without a doubt, check out.
https://engagetheirminds.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/recite-21386-380820449-63xcrr.png
Friday 26 September 2014
Ink vs. Ink 2.0s
I've heard a lot of people feuding about ebooks, audio books, and actual physical copies of books. Some abuse the ebook and say that it's not considered as "real reading" because the person isn't reading from ink and paper, also known as, the "traditional way". Others praise the ebook, saying that it has helped them incorporate reading into their busy lives and vice versa with books. Also, apparently audio books don't count as "real reading" either because you're listening to a book being read to you instead of you reading the book itself.
Honestly, I don't think that either side of the war is right, nor is either side wrong. For instance, let's talk about ebooks first. Ebooks are basically books, just incorporated into an electronic device. They have hundreds of books to choose from and there are many different types of ebooks. Just like a phone and laptop, they're always improving and upgrading to give you the best reading experience that you can get from this particular device. I think that ebooks are an excellent choice of reading. Our world today is constantly upgrading and developing, especially in technology. I think that ebooks allow you to read as many books as you desire without taking up much space. Instead of having shelves and shelves of books, you could have a device that's probably about the size of an Ipad to store your books in. Ebooks also save you a lot of money. While a regular book may cost around $10-$12, ebooks only cost under about $10 at the least. This allows people to use less, save more, while not having to forfeit the joy of having a lot of books.
Unfortunately, there are downsides to ebooks. Have you ever heard that no 2 people are alike? Well, it's true. We're all unique and different and so we'll probably most likely not enjoy many of the same things. Some people like basketball, others like volleyball, and some may like science and math, while others like english and music. This goes to ebooks too. Not everyone will like ebooks. They may be too distracting for some people, like myself, because even though I'm holding a device that allows me to just read, I'll want to explore and do something else because I'm on an electrical device that reminds me of my Ipad or phone. And in order to get access to those cheap books, you need to buy a kindle or some other type of device that allows you access but, they may be a little expensive to some people.
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3625223/ebook-tablet.jpg
When you were younger, did you parents ever read you stories out loud?? Like how the big bad wolf didn't get to eat the little piggies, or how the scullery maid got a happily ever after that she deserved?? Although your parents probably don't read to you anymore, the world has invented something that allows you to be read to once again and they're called audio books. They're literally that. Audio books are a great edition to one's busy lifestyle, especially for adults. You see, adults have jobs that they need to work hard at to earn money to live off of and sometimes they don't have the time to sit down in a comfy chair and physically pick up a book and read it for as long as they wish. Some are way too busy to pick up an their kindle and read it, or they just don't have long enough lunch breaks. Well, audio books are their answer. You can listen to audio books in the car, as you walk to school or work, on the bus, in the train, and even on the airplane. In fact, you might just play it out loud in your room because you're too lazy to pick up a book. But, that's okay because you're not missing out on a fantastic story. Audio books are also cheap, like ebooks, but you don't need to buy a kindle to get access to books. On Amazon, all you do is get an account and sign up and you're in. Audio books help you "read" the really long, intimidating books, like Harry Potter, which is outstanding because more people get to enjoy the books that they want to.
Again, there are downers to everything in life. Audiobooks may increase the amount of time that a person listens to their earphones which, isn't only bad for your ears, but it could also potentially steal you away from your friends and family, especially if you're really liking the book. Who knew that that could be a bad thing? Also, some people learn and understand things better when they read it, not when they hear someone say it to them, so even though you'll be listening to a story, there's still a chance that you many not even remember or know what it's about. Also, you may get distracted. Like how a student sometimes gets distracted in class when the teacher goes on and on and on and on about who knows what, audio books can sound like that to some people. Therefore, their mind drifts off into daydream-land and they miss the entire story.
http://www.strategicbookmarketing.com/images/graphi-audiobooks.jpg
Lastly, the old physical book. Having the actual book may make the reader feel more connected to the story, more a part of it. This makes it that much more enjoyable. There's nothing more satisfying to some people, especially myself, than to be able to flip the last page of your book and say that you're done. Having a bookshelf full of books makes me really happy and proud of myself because: 1) I've found something that I absolutely will always love to do and 2) I get to see the actual amount of books that I've read, which gives me a sense of pride and joy. But, buying the physical book can be expensive, especially if you buy a lot of books, then paperback becomes your best friend. The traditional book may not fit into our society as well today too. We've invented top notch T.Vs, phones, laptops, Ipads, cameras, and so much more, and the old traditional book may just seem to old fashioned and not upgraded enough to people's standards.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01448/books_1448404b.jpg
All 3 inventions offer different perspectives and experiences. They're all different, yet they still manage to be the same. They all tell a story, just in different ways. Who says that to read means to only read what's in front of your eyes? You're still receiving the story, just maybe through a screen or by ear. Either way, you're still technically reading, in my opinion. Similarly to how people learn differently, people also read differently. Some learn by hands on work, while others by pictures and texts. This also applies to reading! Some read the best with an actual book, while others comprehend the story so much better by listening or looking at it through a screen. In the end though, everyone is still getting the same juicy story, just through a different straw.
http://grantlab.pbworks.com/f/depthcompiconchart-image-11.png
So, whose side are you on? The audios, screens, or sheets?
Honestly, I don't think that either side of the war is right, nor is either side wrong. For instance, let's talk about ebooks first. Ebooks are basically books, just incorporated into an electronic device. They have hundreds of books to choose from and there are many different types of ebooks. Just like a phone and laptop, they're always improving and upgrading to give you the best reading experience that you can get from this particular device. I think that ebooks are an excellent choice of reading. Our world today is constantly upgrading and developing, especially in technology. I think that ebooks allow you to read as many books as you desire without taking up much space. Instead of having shelves and shelves of books, you could have a device that's probably about the size of an Ipad to store your books in. Ebooks also save you a lot of money. While a regular book may cost around $10-$12, ebooks only cost under about $10 at the least. This allows people to use less, save more, while not having to forfeit the joy of having a lot of books.
Unfortunately, there are downsides to ebooks. Have you ever heard that no 2 people are alike? Well, it's true. We're all unique and different and so we'll probably most likely not enjoy many of the same things. Some people like basketball, others like volleyball, and some may like science and math, while others like english and music. This goes to ebooks too. Not everyone will like ebooks. They may be too distracting for some people, like myself, because even though I'm holding a device that allows me to just read, I'll want to explore and do something else because I'm on an electrical device that reminds me of my Ipad or phone. And in order to get access to those cheap books, you need to buy a kindle or some other type of device that allows you access but, they may be a little expensive to some people.
When you were younger, did you parents ever read you stories out loud?? Like how the big bad wolf didn't get to eat the little piggies, or how the scullery maid got a happily ever after that she deserved?? Although your parents probably don't read to you anymore, the world has invented something that allows you to be read to once again and they're called audio books. They're literally that. Audio books are a great edition to one's busy lifestyle, especially for adults. You see, adults have jobs that they need to work hard at to earn money to live off of and sometimes they don't have the time to sit down in a comfy chair and physically pick up a book and read it for as long as they wish. Some are way too busy to pick up an their kindle and read it, or they just don't have long enough lunch breaks. Well, audio books are their answer. You can listen to audio books in the car, as you walk to school or work, on the bus, in the train, and even on the airplane. In fact, you might just play it out loud in your room because you're too lazy to pick up a book. But, that's okay because you're not missing out on a fantastic story. Audio books are also cheap, like ebooks, but you don't need to buy a kindle to get access to books. On Amazon, all you do is get an account and sign up and you're in. Audio books help you "read" the really long, intimidating books, like Harry Potter, which is outstanding because more people get to enjoy the books that they want to.
Again, there are downers to everything in life. Audiobooks may increase the amount of time that a person listens to their earphones which, isn't only bad for your ears, but it could also potentially steal you away from your friends and family, especially if you're really liking the book. Who knew that that could be a bad thing? Also, some people learn and understand things better when they read it, not when they hear someone say it to them, so even though you'll be listening to a story, there's still a chance that you many not even remember or know what it's about. Also, you may get distracted. Like how a student sometimes gets distracted in class when the teacher goes on and on and on and on about who knows what, audio books can sound like that to some people. Therefore, their mind drifts off into daydream-land and they miss the entire story.
Lastly, the old physical book. Having the actual book may make the reader feel more connected to the story, more a part of it. This makes it that much more enjoyable. There's nothing more satisfying to some people, especially myself, than to be able to flip the last page of your book and say that you're done. Having a bookshelf full of books makes me really happy and proud of myself because: 1) I've found something that I absolutely will always love to do and 2) I get to see the actual amount of books that I've read, which gives me a sense of pride and joy. But, buying the physical book can be expensive, especially if you buy a lot of books, then paperback becomes your best friend. The traditional book may not fit into our society as well today too. We've invented top notch T.Vs, phones, laptops, Ipads, cameras, and so much more, and the old traditional book may just seem to old fashioned and not upgraded enough to people's standards.
All 3 inventions offer different perspectives and experiences. They're all different, yet they still manage to be the same. They all tell a story, just in different ways. Who says that to read means to only read what's in front of your eyes? You're still receiving the story, just maybe through a screen or by ear. Either way, you're still technically reading, in my opinion. Similarly to how people learn differently, people also read differently. Some learn by hands on work, while others by pictures and texts. This also applies to reading! Some read the best with an actual book, while others comprehend the story so much better by listening or looking at it through a screen. In the end though, everyone is still getting the same juicy story, just through a different straw.
So, whose side are you on? The audios, screens, or sheets?
http://mattgrube.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/whose-side-are-you-on.jpg
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