Poetry Packet Responses

The first poem I have chosen to respond to is Emily Dickinson's poem 375. I initially likes this poem because it was easy to understand and fairly straightforward. This poem is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza has three lines that rhyme and one line that does not. The second stanza does not have any rhymes. In the third stanza, there are two lines that rhyme. Overall throughout the poem there is no actual rhyming pattern but there are lines that rhyme. This poem has a good rhythm and flow to it.

The first stanza goes like this: "A Coffin- is a small domain, Yet able to contain A citizen of Paradise In its diminished Plane." I like these lines because when you think of the word coffin alone it brings about feelings of sadness or maybe even creepiness. But this she is saying that even though a coffin is small in size, it is able to contain something much bigger that is not physically measurable- and that is the entire life of a human that has passed.

I also like the last stanza which goes like this: "To Him who on its small Repose Bestows a single friend- Circumference without relief- Or Estimate- or End." I like this line because even though death is a very sad subject to write about, this poem portrays it in a hopeful way. I think she is saying that even though the circumference of the coffin may be small, the person inside has no end.

The other poem that i liked was "Preference" by Langston Hughes. I liked this poem because it had a very laid back feel to it and also was written in language easy to read and understand. The slang that Langston uses helps to set a very laid back mood. He does not speak in proper English and uses slang words and phrases that wouldn't normally be found in poetry or formal reading. For example, he says, "I likes a woman," and, "It ain't forever," and, "Young girl'll say." All of these phrases are grammatically incorrect but the point is to set that laid back mood. He also uses words like "fool" and "gimme" which set the tone.

This poem talks about how he likes older women because they aren't using him for his money. Older women may have something to offer him. He says that older women say, "Honey, what does YOU need," instead of saying, "Daddy, I want so-and-so."

Both of these poems were written in a way that is easy to read and understand, yet they have very different messages.