Here's an online chapbook at the Poets Against the War organization. Read a few poems and then choose one in which to react.
Here are a few questions to get you started:
What is the poem's subject? How does the author handle this subject? How would you describe the tone of the poem? Do you have a clear image of the speaker? What is your personal reaction to the poem?
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37 comments:
"Ogre"
I believe that the subject of this particular poem is about the fraud in today's government and what they are after. The author uses his dark and emotional experiences as an analogy to compare the corrupt government to his dark rainy night. I would describe the tone of this poem to be pessimistic and depressing. Due to the figurative language throughout the piece and the imagery used, I developed an image of the setting and emotions that run through the narrator. Personally, I think that this poem is very inquisitive of today's government and distrusting.
--Dillan
The House of Bush
By Carol Muske-Dukes
This poem talks about ex-president Bush and his involvement w/ the war in Iraq. The poem is fairly simple and talks about the negative aspects of the war, specifically its effects on civilians during war. The poem adopts a critical tone, but is not abrasively harsh. I like how the author made the poem repetitive in the sense that each line built upon the other. This emphasized the message of her poem, making a metaphor for how twisted and complicated the Iraq War and its problems have gotten.
"Speak Out"
Lawrence Ferlighetti
What the author of this poem is saying is that nobody is doing anything or speaking out about the war and all the things that are happening because of it. For example how he says how people are starting to discriminate people from Indian descent or people w/ turbants because they think that they are terrorists. He also talks about how the government is drafting young people for the war, basically sending then to the killing fields. And the author's main point is to speak out about stuff like this.
Alejandro Gomez
Statement of Conscience
by C.D. Wright
This poems subject is the irrational actions of President Bush with the use of a preemptive strike. The author is against this action, and views the politicians of the United States as slaughters. The tone of this poem is aggressive and bold, at one point calling the President a monster. I do not have a clear image of the author, I believe that it is meant to be anyone. My personal reaction to this poem is that this person is a liberal democrat who is not afraid of speaking their mind.
-Stephen Whiting
State of the Union, 2003
By: Sam Hamill
I think that the subject of this poem is reflecting our previous presidents presidency and the situations going on still around the world. In the poem the writer wrote, "Soon, the President will speak. He will have something to say about bombs and freedom and our way of life." I think by this he is saying that bombing and war will not cause peace and he is repulsed by the fact that the former president is trying to say that. The author seems to be handling the subject in a calm matter but trying to get the point across still. This comes through in the poems tone, it is obvious the writer is not happy about the situation and is trying to share his feelings about it. When I read this poem a clear image of the children popped into my head, I was also able to see the deaths taking place in my head, and even the man sitting down to watch the address that the president was giving.
- Sophie
Call and Answer
-- Robert Bly
I, personally, liked this poem a lot. I think that the purpose of it was to tell people to speak out against the war and things that they oppose. The line that struck me the most was: "How come we¹ve listened to the great criers -- Neruda,
Akhmatova, Thoreau, Frederick Douglass -- and now
We¹re silent as sparrows in the little bushes?" and I think it's true. We need another great Frederick Douglass on this earth again who speaks out against what we think is wrong. The tone of the poem is wondering, really. It is somewhat disappointed but at the same time it makes the reader want to go out and speak and fight for what they believe in.
As I said, I liked it a lot and agree completely with the poet.
Call and Answer
By: Robert Bly
This poem was more about the war and pain and suffering it causes and how useless it is. It also says that there are so many wars and murder going on that it seems almost impossible to stop they. This poem is a harsh reality eye opener to what the world is going through today since it focused on the wars and polar ice caps melting. The author gives off a very angry, depressed tone, maybe it's used to catch the reader's attention, to cry out to them and show them the harsh, true reality of the world and war.
Umoja: Each One of Us Counts
the poems subject i think is all the soldiers who died during war.the author talks from 2 points of view which i though was interesting, he talks as someone who is in the war a solider, and someone who wasn't. he emphasizes the when the solider is speaking at the end of every stanza.the tone of this poem to be is sad and gloomy, i think that the first stanza set the tone for the rest of the poem.i personally thought the poem was a good example of how war really is because a lot of people do really die and the is poem really shoe you that.
Speak Out
By: Lawrence Ferlinghetti
This poem is about the real terror in the world and how he believes that the government has been misleading us and in reality the real terrorist is the government. In this poem the author does a great job projecting the voice in this poem. It makes it seem like he is almost yelling but still keeping a professional posture. The tone of this poem is in a argumentative voice. I can see the author standing on a stage in a cafe type setting and just speaking out. This poem grabbed me since I feel the same way about the subject and that finally someone is talking about it when no one ever had the guts to even touch that subject.
-Joshua Huezo-Peregrina
Gulf War
By Carolyn Kizer
I think that this poem is about how bombs and poison gases were used in wars. When the poem talks about the sky dying that makes me think of that there are so many bombs and gases used that they have killed the sky. The author has a very sad tone in this poem. She talks about the sky dying the women and children crying and not even their cries can help us from the bombs and poison gas. I can visualize what the author was saying even in the part where she talks about how the last tree is standing in the poisonous gas. This poem makes me sad reading it.
Speak Out
-- Lawrence Ferlinghetti
The Poem was talking about how people aren't speaking out and how they are letting war occur. How we are letting young soldiers fight for us and we just sit back and relax and not even argue on what's going on. I Thought it was a great poem because i feel that it was well written and the message was clear.
The House of Bush
By Carol Muske-Dukes
The subject of this poem is former president Bush’s involvement with the war in Iraq. This poem talks about how people were starving during the Iraq war and how Bush just sat in the house. The authors tone was angry because she made it seem like it was harsh but it wasn’t. I thought that this poem was great because it shows what bush did during the war in Iraq.
State of the Union, 2003
Sam Hamill
In this poem the author is speaking on the violence and war and their effects on the people and what he personally sees. The speaker takes the subject and analyzes what he takes in from news and happenings and portrays depressed, discouraged, and worrisome/warning views on the war. I personally agree with the speaker's view in this poem. The author mentions the historical repetition within the war itself and with past wars. The poem also speaks of the desensitization of death for children, as past generations with other wars. I completely agree with what the poem says about this repetition and find it find the last line extremely interesting, and perhaps powerful. "Because I can't bear to look at the monuments in his eyes." To me this is saying he already sees the monuments commemorating the death to come, during a speech which is supposed to encourage and comfort people, it's very ironic.
An excerpt of "If There Were No Days, Where Would We Live" is by far one of the most moving poems that I have read. The beginning brings the war down to a miniscule scale, relating the effects of a war to the blood in one's vanes. The poem humanizes the war by telling the emotional and physical brutality on civilians, especially with things that do not seem to be as daunting like the number of deaths. The author handles the subject so that the reader sympathizes with the victims of war. The tone is almost sadistic, as if the writer was talking to somebody responsible for the war. The tone intensifies as he lists things like "burned their legs" and "...wore them like dark pearls". The image is clear, especially with his use of imagery that describes bodily mutilation (which is a fear of humans in childhood).
My personal reaction to the poem is that the poem is telling the truth about wars. It says to me "nations fight wars, and soldiers and civilians fight for survival."
"Gulf War"
I think this poem wanted to give the reader a visual of the authors vision of the gulf war. It brings dark sky's and sadness in to my mind. One quote the author emphasizes is "The whole green sky is dying". He uses green a lot in his poem and I think it really gives the reader a good visual.
-Ante
The Dispute
-- Alicia Ostriker
This poem was about how America and other countries waste their time fighting to become the victor, when really the country that does not fight ends up being the victor. The author begins by saying what Americans believe in when it comes to war, and then she writes about how the Chinese see war. She sounds like she is disappointed in the way war is viewed, and believes that the Chinese have better views about war than Americans. I like this poem because the Chinese do not get in wars, and they have a powerful economy because of it, but I believe that was is necessary in order to keep America a safe country.
The Dispute
by Alicia Ostriker
This poem was about the way that opportunists take advantage of wars. The example used was the U.S. (assuming it is the U.S.) vs an unknown enemy, and China taking advantage. The tone was very neutral, like a narrative, because I imagine the speaker saying this after s/he has read the morning news. I liked the fact that the author employed a first person perspective, and how the author also employs a specific subject as well.
- Virgilio
"Speak Out"
The subject of this poem is that Americans need to speak out instead of just sitting here watching this war go on. The author somewhat threatens the reader by saying that if we don't do anything to stop this war we will be recruited to take part in it. The tone of the poem is serious and somewhat "awakening." I don't have a clear image of the speaker looks like, but I see him being very agressive, reciting this poem to a large crowd. I personally enjoyed this poem, I feel that it was very effective and could be a huge awakening to American citizens.
Umoja: Each One of Us Counts
by Rita Dove,
The poem's subject was not to forget anyone, people who had fought at the battle of war, shall not be forgotten. The author use the subject very well. She said "not to forget us" as of point of view of a dead person. The tone of this poem is very sad. Everything flow easly. Every words showed a perfect sad image to not forget them. From the point view of all sodiers that has no name in the war. Overall this poem is just sad. I want to think of a anaphoric poem, but not as close. This poem to me is just scary of death.
-Ana Vargas
Once Again the Old Urge to Be Alone in a Car No Matter Where the Local Roads Are Going
by C.D.Wright.
It begins talking about peoples actions and an outside view of them. It almost tells a story and almost everyline has a negative spin on it.
As far as my reaction to the poem I always want to try to "firgure out" the poem. I look at it as a puzzle or a riddle, which I have been told it wrong but for this poem, I have not desiphered it yet. Or it could not have a real meaning. Each line is something like an action of avoidance, or negativity. One line i found interesting was "to be ashamed is to be the Aerican." Looking at it again it seems like lazy american life is the focus. Following that line it says "to watch a worn out man over a singer stich up a pair of worn out pants." It is interesting. reading the last line i finally guessed this is about the american life as viewed from other countries. I liked it. It was thought provoking.
-Hannah Ruth
Untitled -- Rose Styron
1. The man in power (that began the war) ignores what everyone else has to say about it, and that singing the national anthem and such won't undo the damage we have done. And 'how could we do that to the children?' We'll never be forgiven.
2. The author tries to bring up sympathy and self-hatred by mentioning the children that we have murdered in war. She also tries to make you dislike the person in charge.
3. Depressing. A poem to make you think about what really matters.
4. I picture her at a protest against war holding up a sign that reads, "Think of the Children!"
5. To me this is just another anti-war poem. I feel like it's good that so many people have an opinion about war and want to express that opinion in a creative way, but at the same it's like, Writing a poem about how war is bad isn't actually going to accomplish anything except making you feel better. if you want to make a difference, do something.
Esme:
Untitled - Rose Styron
This poem showcases the naivety of the civilians home to a nation at war, who can't really know what it's like. Stanzas describing singing the national anthem suggest that although there is suffering elsewhere, at home there is the glamorization war & how strong, brave & heroic young soldiers are. The tone of the poem to me is very somber and doesn't settle well -- it has the capability to make one feel guilty for promoting war. Although I can't tell whether this if of recent battles or past ones, but to me it's depressing how civilians can wave their flags & smile when they cannot begin to imagine hoe terrible those in fighting really have it.
Catherine:
One poem I chose to read is Statement of Conscience. The poem's subject, of course is the writers opposition against the war. In the poem the poet attacks Bush and the First Lady. It seems as if the poet is angry and doesn't want to have to deal with this issue any longer. I think that this piece of work is powerful and that she got her point across. While many may say that she did so in an irrational way I disagree. I think that sometimes you have to say what you mean no matter who you hurt.
Speak out BY: Lawrence Ferlinghetti
I chose this poem because it had alot of meaning to it. It made me visualize the actual day of September 11,and how the terroists struck us on that day. What this is saying is that no one wants to speak out about the war because they are afraid or they dont want it to be mnetioned because of certain reasons. It also talks about how they are beginning to draft young people into the war and how it is affecting many lives.
The subject that the poems revolve around the past few year of war and a failed administration. The poems use negitivity to provoke a critical look on our government. The ideas of bombing for peace and talking instead of doing are also explored. The author wants us to think and make a mental picutre of the situation. The imiage I maintained through the book was extreme because of the metaphors used c
"The Dispute" by Alicia Ostriker
The poems subject is war and how it will be fought and who will win. The author handles the subject as kind of light hearted, because he she just cares about who wins, and the Chinese part is a bit satirical. My personal reaction to the poem left me with a giggle. China proclaims they win, but they didn't even fight in the war and they are just making money and saving lives. In that way, China is the clear victor.
the poem that i read was by -- Ralph Angel the tittle was really interesting Afterward, We May Want to Know What Happened. It was like he was talking about our purpose on this world.
Dorothy Sanford
"In Memoriam"
Philip Whalen
This poem questions Bush's choice to go to Iraq for war and it begins with "Dear Mr.President". The poem is really simple, short and gets to the point. The poem has a serious tone and it says that no matter was atrocities war can bring us we will always have love, art and culture. I think this poem is effective because it reflects the issues we have today with the Iraq war and our government.
-Natalie Cisneros
Untitled
- Rose Styron
I think that this poem shows the changing in the feellings of war. I believe that it is saying that now we can not sing praise for our victories because that would mean we would be praising death of others. We also know who the war benifits and thats another reason why we can no longer praise war.
The poem "If There Were No Days, Where Would We Live (excerpt)" The author is reflecting on what war is doing, he is writing what his experience is, and how war is getting out of hand. The image I developed from the authors point of view was of a man trying to stop war fighting against it, realizing its gone far beyond.
- Statement of Conscience/ A letter to President Bush stating his decline to the letter inviting him to the white house because he was apposed to "In our current political situation I am unwilling to participate in a Washington event that invokes an “American voice” in the singular."
- The author was calm and was specific and it did not sound angry but thankfull and just coulden't go "However, to my regret, I must decline to attend"
- Easy going and easy to read, calm and settle yet kind of not demanding but informal, and to the point!
- I have a "kinda sorta" image, you knew what he was feeling and what he ment, but he himself was not described, only his actions and thought process/ personality.
-I think it was very formal and well written, it was verry discriptive and had a good reason to be writin and had a good meaning behind it.
State of the Union 2003
- Sam Himill
In this poem, it seems the author is speaking on the repetition of past wars and what is going on in the world today. It illustrates him analyzing what he sees on the news and everything such as the public being desensitized by war and the tragedy and struggle that seems to have been forgotten. Personally, I agree with the authors views. As he says, the same thing seems to be happening over and over again and due to years of repetitive wars, people have began not to care.
--- Anna A.
i posted
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