Prose/Verses Assignment

Assignment: Choose one of three poems and write a paragraph about it and then a poem.

Inspiration Piece: Mother to Son by Langston Hughes
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

My prose:

The poem Mother to Son by Langston Hughes is such an inspiring poem to me because of the imagery in the poem as well as the message behind the poem. I love the fact that the poet compares life to a set os stairs. Not only does he use descriptions of what could be on the stairs to trip someone up, but the idea that life is a climb, that can make you tired and out of breath, but moves you upward is awesome. The message behind the poem is very inspirational, too. The mother in the poem tells her son that no matter how difficult life gets -- and it will get very difficult at times -- you can never stop, you can never look back, you have to keep moving upward. I think the poem is one that anyone, regardless of race or social status, can relate to and learn from because of its imagery and message.

My poem:

Always going, always climbing,
Never stop to take a breath.
Keep looking up, keeping moving on.
Don't go back to once was.
It twists, it turns,
There's bumps and burns,
But life continues,
so climb, honey, climb.
Reaching upward, getting stronger,
Through pain and time.
Always going, always climbing,
Don't you stop, no matter what.
Keep looking up, keep moving on,
Don't go back to once was.

All of My Heart

Assignment: Choose a song then write a poem based on that song's lyrics.
My Song: Love Song for a Savior by Jars of Clay

Love Song for a Savior

My poem

I close my eyes and dream of the day
When I can be with you forever, in your arms,
Never needing the rest of the world.

My heart beats faster when I try to imagine
Your face and how it will feel the first time
I see You eye to eye.

Every part of me yearns to be forever Yours,
Close by Your side, day after day, hour by hour,
And simply look into Your face.

Deeper than any ocean, higher than any mountain,
My love for You grows every day. My minutes pass by
And all I can do is dream of you.

Every breath that I take, every beat of my heart,
I give them all to You to have as Your own.
I love You so.

Please take me as I am, knowing that the deeper I fall,
The better and stronger I become, until Your love and heart
Are all I want in the world.

Happy and Blessed

Assignment: If your life was a poem, what would its title be? I chose "Happy and Blessed".

Extra credit: Write a poem for your title.

My poem

No more dark clouds
Can shade my way.
I've fought the night
And won.
I've been to hell,
Through it and back.
I know what evil is,
But I've left it behind.
He has blessed me with
Promises unnumbered.
I can't even fathom
His love for me.
Grace unmeasured,
Father, Savior,
Thank You for all
You have given me.

The Silence (Assignment 1)

Assignment: Read three sets of song lyrics as poems, then choose one to use as inspiration for your own poem.

Inspiration Piece 2

Well if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand
I've seen your face before my friend, but I don't know if you know who I am
Well I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been
It's all been a pack of lies
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well I've been waiting for this moment for all my life
Well I remember, I remember, don't worry, how could I ever forget
It's the first time, the last time we ever met
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, oh no you don't fool me
Well the hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows
It's no stranger to you and me
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well been waiting for this moment for all my life oh Lord


My poem

You look away from me
And keep your lips silent,
Not sharing the pain that led
You to be the monster you are.

But I saw what you did,
I know what you are.
I want to scorn you
But I only feel pity.

I reach out my hand,
Hoping to help.
But then pull away because
You sicken me.

I turn and walk away,
I cant even look at you anymore.
Keep your secrets to yourself
Because I don't want to know.