In this sonnet by Sir Thomas Wyatt, the first eight lines consist of a problem. It seems that the problem has something to do with a female deer, but the metaphor behind the poem compares the deer to a human and a relationship. The final six lines, explain the solution to a problem, or the result. Although this poem still seems as though it is about a deer, the deeper meaning is explaining a woman who has found another man.
In the first lines of the poem, we realize that this poem is in iambic pentameter. Also, in the first lines of the poem, Wyatt opens with a question, stating “Whoso list to hunt?” He then begins to explain how he is tired and in physical pain. Wyatt states, “The vain travail hath wearied me so sore” (Line 3). However, he continues in the poem to explain how his mind cannot manage to stay off of the deer, regardless of how tired he is. He continues to follow the deer even though he struggles internally and externally. However, he tells us in line 4 and 5, that he cannot draw his tired thoughts away from the deer. As she runs before him, he continues to follow exhausted. He eventually gives up. Finally, he begins to explain that the deer has a new collar that says “Noli me tangere” or “touch me not.” In line 9, he tells those who “follow the hunt” that, just as for him, the meaning is worthless. When referring back to his unrequited love, the speaker explains that going after his love is meaningless, and will result in his pain progressing. I particularly like this poem because it is different from the usual sonnet. It talks about unrequited love and the constant pulling that can come with relationships, instead of the usual poems that are dedicated to one’s loved one as a symbol of devotion of praise. I also think Sir Thomas Wyatt does a good job with his comparison. His comparison to a female deer and hunting is not the usual comparison; however, his underlying message is one that shows the true details of a failed relationship.
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This poem is about every person's worst nightmare: heartbreak. Nicole Blackman walks the reader through the stages of a breakup, from the beginning of a date to the heart-wrenching end. She describes how it will feel to hear the words of one's significant other ending the relationship, and how damaging it will be.
In the first stanza, Nicole Blackman has a happy tone. She writes about how happy love can make one feel. She leaves a relatable feeling, stating "the kind of love that makes you feel lucky to be alive and 24 with a man who thinks you are beautiful." This is something that all women, and men, search for in life, grabbing the readers attention with something desirable. The poem's tone switches quickly at one line "It will be quick." She begins to describe a breakup that leaves the reader anticipating what will happen next. Blackman's word choice describes an event that many people will live at least once in their lives. For example, she writes "he will say it is him and not you" and "he will say how sorry he is." For someone who has been through heartbreak, Blackman's word choice stands out and adds a lot of emotion to the poem. Personally, Blackman's ending is the most dramatic. Blackman writes, "you'll bite your lip hard when the tears come." Her last line states, "the slush on the sidewalk will prevent you from making a clean getaway." This ending, along with the rest of the poem, creates a captivating sense of imagery. As I was reading, I visualized this situation and sympathized with the girl immensely due to the effect of Blackman's sad tone and word choice. I enjoy Nicole Blackman not only because she is a great writer, but because she writes poems that are relatable to her readers. This poem is heart-wrenching, and it's sharp shift from happy and in love to heart-broken leaves every girl on the edge of her seat. It is almost like a soap opera, like watching your favorite character die or get injured or your favorite couple split. http://www.alphavillle.com/avillle/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Nicole-Blackman-Victim1.pdf This poem sets a suspenseful from the very beginning of the poem. I really enjoy Nicole Blackman because her poems are very out of the ordinary and keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat. This follows a girl who has been kidnapped by a man and is put into a trunk. The poem follows her to a farm, where she is eventually killed by the man with a shotgun.
I enjoyed this poem because it is told from the viewpoint of the girl. Nicole describes what has happened to her, but the entirety of the poem consists of her thoughts on her family and what she will not experience. For example, she wonders why her kidnapper chose her, and how she could have prevented the crime. She also talks about her family, and how they will react at her funeral. In the final lines, she mentions how she will "never write a book" or "play piano." By writing from this point of view, the reader feels a sense of sorrow for the girl. It creates a feeling of even more suspense, in which the reader wants the girl to survive even more. The title of this poem is significant; however, when reading it the reader has no idea what is going to happen because it is vague. Nicole Blackman uses the first stanza to draw in the reader in which she uses her senses to create an image of being in a trunk. For example, Blackman uses smell to create the image of a car that is in motion. By doing this, the reader can almost feel as if she is there with the victim. I enjoy this poem a lot because I love the way she creates poems that are not what is normally studied as poetry. This poem is almost morbid, but it is one that is relevant to today's society. Kidnapping is something that happens on a daily basis, and I think Nicole Blackman is using this poem to bring awareness to it. Her point of view is very relatable, especially to young girls. I would love to hear this poem read aloud, considering it is a spoken-word. I believe that it would add even more suspense to Blackman's already thrilling writing. I believe that this poem was more for entertainment, however she may have known someone who was kidnapped and twisted it into more of a story. In this poem, Nicole Blackman expresses her belief that "leaving" is what brings a relationship together. Her message is that the "agony" that is brought when someone leaves proves how strong a love really is. She explains that it is the "last look, last touch, last kiss" that "makes me sure that this is a great love." Blackman explains that one cannot truly know how much he or she loves someone until they have to go without them.
Blackman's title is self-explanatory. Without reading the poem, her title makes the reader question what this poem is about. To be honest, I had no idea. It could be about someone leaving, but it could be about something totally opposite and about the seasons. After reading this poem, I personally liked Blackman's simplicity in her title to go along with the simple words in her poem that help the reader to truly connect. She uses words and scenarios that are relatable to those in relationships across the board such as celebrating for holidays, going on trips, kissing, hugging, etc. All of these moments are relatable to the reader, emphasizing how hard it is to leave someone you love. I enjoyed her ending to this poem because it was more of a happy, romantic ending as opposed to some of her other poems that are dark, mysterious and sometimes cover social issues. Her word choice and subject are what make this poem more lively and less dark. I enjoyed the line where she talks about how leaving her partner and it being okay is how they are both ensured that is a "great love." It gives off an idea that those who stick through the trials and tribulations of a relationship will have a long-lasting love. I admire Blackman's poem because it is something that I whole-heartedly believe in. http://www.ladonnawitmer.com/blog/?tag=nicole-blackman Nicole Blackman's poem addresses the abuse of men around the world because of who they love. She talked about how these men are her best friends, and have taught her many valuable lessons in life. In the beginning of the poem, Nicole is yelling at an abuser who is attacking a man of the LGBTQ community. She explains to him that he needs to stop, that it is not his place to judge one based off of who he loves, and continues to tell a story of all of her "gay brothers" who have influenced her throughout her life. Nicole tells how they have given countless advice, picked her up when she has fallen, and shared a plethora of laughs with her; as friends should. She talks about how they "just want someone to love and kiss" like a normal person, and how they have continued to be there for her and lover her more than the men she has fallen for; and their sexuality had nothing to do with it.
I personally admire Nicole Blackman because she addresses many issues that go on in society on a daily basis. She shows throughout her poem that it does not matter who one loves, what matters is what type of person they are on the inside. She gives an impression of sadness of readers because of her stories of her friends who died. She also leaves the readers reflecting on how they treat men and women of "different" sexualities. By appealing to the emotions of readers, Nicole Blackman is making a change in society one step at a time, and is getting closer to an accepting world. "Holy" by Nicole Blackman exemplifies a girl with severe body issues. A common theme throughout the poem is transformation. Although the speaker is tearing herself apart due to her anorexic disorder, she begins to feel free through isolation. To approach the sense of purity and isolation she desires, the speaker of this poem begins to consume nothing more than sleep, water and air. She wants to be slimmer than others and is on the way of reaching “bone and self.” The search for purity goes far beyond her basic wants and needs, saying that even food cannot tempt her anymore. Former clothing such as dresses, jeans and socks become useless to the speaker, and she begins to throw them out. Bras are now considered as “stupid things" along with out pieces of feminine clothing. The detachment from the her things shows through into her relationships with family and loved ones. For example, Blackman writes, “My family doesn’t call anymore. My friends don’t call anymore.” Blackman uses this word choice to show the true horror that people who undergo a mental disorder have, and how they can reflect all aspects of one's life.
Nicole Blackman’s “Daughter” is a poem written to her future daughter to tell give her advice on the life ahead of her. She wants to give her daughter a life that is so much better than what hers was as a child and as an early adult. At the end of her poem, she states “I will not let them destroy her life the way they destroyed mine.” It’s a piece about the advice she’ll give the daughter she’ll have in the future.
A newborn is like a blank canvas, and the guidance they get from their parents shapes them into the person they will grow up to be. With that said, this is a modern way of how one could give advice to her daughter in the cruel world we live in today, especially since it favors men. Blackman states, “I’ll teach her to be whole, to be holy, to be so much that she doesn’t even need me anymore.” She says this because she wants to teach her daughter to be even “stronger than she is” and wants to build her to have a better life. The author has learned valuable lessons in life and now wants to pass on the knowledge. She speaks about being “confident and bold,” and that she is a woman that can and will be just as powerful and strong as any male. She also talks about faith and how finding it never comes from someone else; it comes from yourself. Finally, Blackman ends her poem by explaining to her daughter that no matter how many obstacles she has to go through, she will always come forward and overcome any oppressor, male or female. This was a very good poem because not only did it provide closure for the mother but it gave very descriptive advice to her daughter. |
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