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<DIV><PRE><U><FONT face="Courier New">Val<o:p></o:p></FONT></U></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">The first thing I feel is that I really, really, really want to know the specifics. What is the calamity? But even without them, the poem clearly shows the state of mind and emotions.</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">Of course, when doing a poetic form that is so restrictive, I doubt that there would be any way that it would accommodate the whole story. </FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">It reminds me of a line from Leonard Cohen in which he says he wanted to write a poem of living with defeat.</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">I’ve made some suggestions as to other ways to say the same things, with some advantages.</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">Line 3. Life just tore a ragged rift (This has the alliteration of the r sounds without two words gap and hole that mean the same thing.)</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">Line 2: I like the alliteration of the ‘so sure’ phrase.</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">Line 4: I like the r sounds.</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">Line 5: sad ‘and’ sick at heart. the word,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>‘and’ makes the s alliteration more rhythmic.)</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">Lines 7 and 8: I like the ‘ARD’ internal rhyme.</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">Calamity, Acrostic</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">Valerie Moreno</FONT></PRE><PRE><o:p><FONT face="Courier New"> </FONT></o:p></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">1 Can this be happening</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">2 After I was so sure...</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">3 Life just punched a gaping hole</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">4 Along borders of resolve,</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">5 Making me sad, sick at heart,</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">6 Incredibly vulnerable.</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">7 This is hard, defeating,</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">8 Yet, I dare to hope regardless.</FONT></PRE><PRE><FONT face="Courier New">------</FONT></PRE><PRE><U><FONT face="Courier New">Abbie<o:p></o:p></FONT></U></PRE>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Poignant, to the
point, and almost universal in sentiment. There is a matter-of-fact description,
nothing soliciting strong feelings by themselves, but so relatable to those of
similar experience that it is full of reminiscent emotion. I wonder how people
who did not have that kind of experience would react to this piece.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">That first phrase, ‘in
the good old days,’ comes up more and more these days. It means so many
different things to so many different people. A whole book can be written about
it. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Lines 4 and 5 clearly
define one of the gender roles in the good-old-days. There is a sense of comfort
in seeing the man as carver and women as the cooks and servers, but I wonder
whether it is thought of in the same way by our culture.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Men often participate in the food
preparation, and women might feel put upon if they didn’t. So the piece brings
these questions to bear, but I’m not sure the author intended it as
such.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I never heard of an
electric carving knife when I was a kid. Even today I have not seen one at the
dinner table. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The division of the
sexes where the men sat around watching a football game and the women, who have
done all the work, clean up, put me off a little, even though I am a man and
would seem to be a beneficiary of this system.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In my childhood days, I don’t remember
having football on TV. But the men would get together and talk about something
like cars while the women cleaned up after the feast. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In the end it is just
what the title says it is, a reflection .<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>At first, it does not seem to want to make a statement.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But any good writing emotionally
involves the reader, and there are always going to be a variety of
emotions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was involved with the
piece as I believe most people would be, and I think the author is making a very
strong and clear statement through showing rather than telling.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">line 3: There are two
incidences where the word ‘sometimes’ is used. Once for doing grace and the
other for the use of an electric carving knife. That would tend to indicate
grace and using a carving knife have as much or as little importance. Is that
what the author intends?It might be an important question, since the essence of
Thanksgiving is giving thanks.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Lines 9 and 10 also
uses ‘sometimes’ to describe the children eating separately or together with the
family. Is the author making a strong statement about whether that is important
or not? In the Jewish Passover dinner, the children are made an integral part of
the ceremony. In fact, in many ways it is a way to teach children to be mindful
and grateful. so for this reader, it is an important
question.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In lines 10 and 11 the
author says that the children were usually integrated into the family sitting
arrangement. I think she was saying that this was more reflective of the
closeness of the family than sitting separately.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In the last paragraph,
she speaks of something lost. The essence is togetherness verses aloneness. the
loss of tradition and meaningfulness that family used to provide.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We look for a facsimile in our groups
and institutions, but they don’t quite do the job.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Nothing can replace the coming together
of several generations of family.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The poem says all this
as only a poem can do.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>THANKSGIVING
REFLECTION<BR><BR><BR><BR>1 In the good old days, we gathered at the table:
<BR>2 parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins,<BR>3 sometimes said grace,
sometimes didn't.<BR><BR>4 Dad, Granddad, or some other male carved the
turkey,<BR>5 sometimes with an electric knife, sometimes not.<BR><BR>6 Platters
of food were passed around:<BR>7 turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes,
yams,<BR>8vegetables, rolls, cranberry sauce.<BR>9Sometimes children sat at a
separate table.<BR>10Most of the time, we all ate together<BR>11like the big
happy family we were.<BR><BR>12 After we filled our bellies, pumpkin pie was
served.<BR>13 When we’d eaten as much of that as we could,<BR>14 men retreated
to a football game on TV<BR>15 while women cleaned up.<BR>16 Children played or
got into mischief.<BR><BR>17 Now, with parents and grandparents gone,<BR>18
uncles, aunts, cousins scattered across the country,<BR>19 I eat my Thanksgiving
meal<BR>20 at the local senior center, then go home,<BR>21 read a good book,
wish for the way things were.<BR>-- <BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Alice</SPAN></U></st1:place></st1:City><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I found it very interesting how you
could make a complete poem in one sentence with a minimum of punctuation. It
gives a new and positive meaning to the run-on sentence.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I both enjoyed and found the description
of the house’s and surrounding environs challenging.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I put myself on what I imagined to be a
veranda type porch where I could look out in three directions.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I thought the front of the house was
facing north, the drive way coming in from the west. I had difficulty when it
came to the pile of shale, because up to that point I was envisioning everything
from the vantage point of the porch. It took some time before I realized that I
had to leave the porch and climb to the top of that pile to get to the vantage
point of being able to look southward.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The overall picture was charming and beautiful.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In the description of the locket, I
wondered whether there is a physical locket which is also kept in the heart
metaphorically speaking, or wither the locket was only in the heart. I don’t
find it to be a poetic problem, just that I had to think about it and still
would like to know the answer to the question.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I found myself having some concern
for the safety of the house when I read about the sinking driveway.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I wonder whether that house is still
there, being so close to a sink hole. It would be over 100 years
old.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">My first impression of the mother
walking in circles was of someone who was in a panic and not totally in charge
of her senses. That was heart breaking. But then, it seemed to me, that in such
a wide expanse of property, the neighbors would have been at some distance and
potentially anywhere. So maybe she was purposefully walking in a very wide,
circle trying to spot or attract the notice of someone who could help. Both
images are compelling. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The part which quickly mentions the
fact of the stroke begs a separate literary work to describe the details of the
episode. It would not work to go into those details in this poem to do so, where
it is handled effectively given the confines of the narrative
structure..<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I loved the fading away ending. It
gave me the impression of a painting fading into the distance. Very effective.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I find the poem absolutely
beautiful, despite my tedious analysis.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in" class=MsoNormal><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Biography of
a House in the Heartland</FONT></FONT></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">by Alice Jane-Marie
Massa</FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">1 In a locket</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">2<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>in my
heart,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">3<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I keep and
remember this</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">4 precious place</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">5 with clumps of lilies-of-the-valley clinging</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">6 to<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>her
east side like pretty paint on toenails while</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">7 the perennial porch swing, successful hummingbird
feeder, and wrought iron </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">8 bedeck the large front porch from where</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">9 three points of the compass can offer a view of
</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">10 the lawn, west of the white-rocked driveway,
sinking</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">11<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(due to
the abandoned underground coal shaft filling with water), along with </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">12 the field of Christmas trees, the wheat fields and
corn fields and some cattle </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">13 to the north until the east span is revealed
</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">14 between the blue spruce and the gob pile of
shale</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">15 atop which is unveiled the southern vista
of</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">16 the field that rolls back to the small woods from
where</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">17 one can easily walk to the back door of the
house</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">18 built by my grandfather in 1914</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">19 (the year his youngest, my mother, was
born)</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">20 and lived in by my parents from after</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">21 my dad’s four and a half years in World War II until
his death at age 84 when</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">22 my mother walked circles in the snow until a neighbor
came to help at this house</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">23 where a cerebral hemorrhage took away all</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">24 but the memories </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">25 and the heart </FONT></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">26 of a house </FONT></P>
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class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">27 in the Hoosier
heartland.</FONT></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I’ve been there; done
that. This poem describes a state of mind and a process that I totally relate to
and gives the message in such a way that only poetry can do. It is both a dark
and light piece of work. It speaks of the will to persist through emotional
adversity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It describes the fight
against despair and never giving up the belief that the storm will end, despite
a lack of evidence. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The title and concept
of racing the sun required a lot of thought on my part. I couldn’t just breeze
through them. I usually have to understand a poem in order to get satisfaction
from it, but I don’t mind having to work for an understanding.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To me, the poet is in a dreary place,
while he hears and is thrilled by the music of always being in the light and
warmth of the sun. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Racing means never
having to be in darkness. If you can keep up with the sun, night will never
come. The poet cannot even be under the rays of the sun for a moment, let alone
being perpetually blessed by its influence.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In line 6 he says he’s
been here before. That implies to me that he knows it is a potentially transient
condition which he has found his way out of before. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Line 7 says attacking
the cold depression head on only accentuates the condition. But then the poem
gives beautiful examples of the kinds of things that can at least ameliorate the
cold darkness.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">lines 11 and 12 tells
how being able to reach out a hand to help someone else proved to him that<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>he was stronger than he thought<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and gave him hope of returning, but
perhaps not yet.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Line 17 reinforces an
earlier message that you can’t rule or work yourself into happiness. If one
endures the cold, with hope and openness to giving and receiving kindness, love,
etc. the circumstances will eventually bring you out of that dark, cold place.
Or at least, it is what we must believe for it ever to
happen.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In the last line, he
takes the passive form of the action. He is lifted. He does not lift
himself.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">So the poem balances
the active and passive approaches to life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The concept is controversial in philosophical and religious thinking.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The most positive
statement I could make about this or any poem is that it is
real.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Racing the sun<BR>C by
Brad Corallo<BR>Word count 140<BR><BR>1<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>At dawn, I heard a band of minstrels<BR>2<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>whose madrigal told of racing the
sun.<BR>3And though my heart thrilled to the sound,<BR>4 the sun was out of
reach.<BR>5 Restrained, in a cold and narrow place That is all too
familiar.<BR>6 <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yes, I've been
here before. <BR>7I know that struggling to escape only tightens the bonds.<BR>8
Being enfolded in the arms of a friend<BR>9 gave me back some footing.<BR>A10 nd
being given a chance<BR>11 to offer unexpected kindness to a deeply troubled
soul,<BR>12 portended hope of returning.<BR>13 But still the sun eludes
me.<BR>14 Initially at a snail's pace, forward <BR>15 with resolution and
belief,<BR>16 no matter that it feels like a fool's errand.<BR>17 By virtue of
circumstance<BR>18 I shall be lifted up once again<BR>19 suspended in a shaft of
golden radiance. <BR><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"></SPAN></P>
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