Don Tjader
Eng. 224 Field Class Portfolio
6/5/09
Contents
8 Pages from journaling
3 page analysis of Bryson's
Paragraph invoking emotion
4 Haiku
2 List Poems
1 Technical Salamander List Poem
2 Eating Nature Poems
2 I don't know Poems
3 Willow Review poem analysis that I like
1 Willow Review poem analysis that I do not like
Show, don't tell assignment
8 Pages from Journal
CLC Apalachian Trail, May 2009,
This will be my diary of all the details of my trip to the Appalachian Trail (AT). Today is 5/9/09 and I still have a week to prepare. I still need several items: backpack, rain clothes, Ziplok bags. College of Lake County will be providing the tents, camping stove and transportation to Virginia. There's about 16 other students going and 3 teachers: Biology teacher Bob Remedi, English teacher Mike Latza, and Shane Jones the PhysEd teacher. I went to the first class last Sunday and met Bob and Mike so far, very funny, happy-go-lucky spirits, perfectly suited to make this trip fun, and yet, learn a ton!
The students all seem very easy going, I guess you have to be since we will all be living together for two weeks in the wilderness, smelling bad together, etc.. I have to find a tent mate to share a tent with. So far I like one of the students named Scott.
Scott is the kid that I interviewed in class and during introductions. While interview he said he is the bass player in his rock band. The band name is Oatmeal, and was competing in CLC's Battle of the Bands on 5/8/09. So I planned on going and did, it was after Psychology class.
Psychology class was over at 7:45 PM and I walked Sarah and Emma out to their cars. This was our last day of Psychology class and I will miss them. I said my last good bye's to Sarah and Emma, and then tossed my stuff in my car and returned back to CLC to enjoy Battle of the Bands. I'm learning that going to school, the most important part is creating relationships, not shallow, but deep relationships that could last a lifetime, because, well, I believe, relationships last eternally.
As soon as I returned to the front doors of the C building at CLC, my new friend and classmate, Scott, was there. He was unloading his band equipment. We remembered each other from last Sunday's class and greeted each other warmly. I jumped at the foreseeable opportunity of giving a hand unloading. I said, “I'll be your roadie!” Scott liked the idea and introduced me to his band mates, “hey guys, we have a roadie!” Setup was pretty easy, they travel pretty light, and I think CLC provided most of the sound equipment for all the bands. So I helped them setup and found a seat so I could enjoy the music.
After the show Scott found me, he was very appreciative of me coming out and supporting him—I didn't do much, but I was very entertained by the night. I want to learn how to build deeper relationships of trust. This is my prayer to God to help transform me. I've lived way to long a life of self-seeking preservation from society, being a loner, blowing people off, including my own family. Lord help transform my heart to have a heart like yours.
5/10/09 I went to a symphony at CLC, Rylan's (my roommate) dad was playing clarinet in. It was right at the same time my Sunday AT trail class got out at—4 PM. But class ran late, due to us all putting up tents in the hallways of CLC. So, I arrived 20 minutes late to the auditorium, bought a ticket to get in. I went to the doors to enter the auditorium, and an elderly, lady usher, greeted me to take my ticket. She explained that I had to wait for the audience to clap before I could enter. I could hear symphony music seeping through the double doors in front of us. She saw that I was carrying my school bag and asked me if I was a student. I took the opportunity and happily confessed that I just got out of a class that will be heading out to the AT. She asked me if it was for a mission trip. I thought for a moment thinking about Nigeria (the short term mission trip I took last year), and thinking about how I believe this AT trip is an answered prayer, and how I was to answer her question. Instantly the crowd erupted in clapping, she leapt forward to open the door for me and shooed me inside. I found Rylan only a few rows away, and sat down next to him before the next symphony song began. I've since pondered the meaning of why the usher lady asked me the question. I believe it to be more confirmation that I am suppose to be on this trip, her asking me, a stranger, not knowing me, a somewhat personal question.
A missionary, I beleive, is not somebody who tries to save souls and convert people according to their religious agendas. I am learning more that when I seek God as hard as I can, for His providence and revelation, and when I baske in God's glory, and over time there will be obvious fruits transformation; these qualities reveal a true Christian to others. I've seen this lifestyle convict some Christians of immoral living, and others have edified their relationship with God. I have not seen a regeneration experience yet. But I do believe God works in hearts to change people, missionaries don't do that, except allow their own hearts to be changed by God for the world to see. So that God gets all the glory, and the missionary gets all the benefit. God, prepare my heart to be a missionary on the AT. To reveal your glory, the amazing complexity of the work of your hands, to ponder the existence of Mt. Rogers, to study the amazingly importance of the salamander in the ecosystem. I can't wait to climb the holy hill of the Lord.
So I started praying about the AT trip. This is when I found out from Bruce (a friend who is a missionary to India) that nobody was going to India. I wanted to do a short term mission trip, so was a little bit perturbed at God, praying to him that mission trips are more important than camping trips! I started feeling like this was God's direction and use of my vacation time. Especially after the whole Devry stirring up my soul with accelerated credits, then, once surrendered, God blesses me with the most accelerated 7 college credits in two weeks! And 4 classroom sessions. This is how I've seen God in the past. So I went and faithfully blocked out the vacation time and contacted the AT professors, and paid the down deposit.
The 16 other campers and 3 teachers packed three CLC vans and off we went. In the front seat of my van was Scott, the bass player and singer for Oatmeal. I was glad he was in the same van as me. I've had him pegged out as a viable tent mate since the first class. Sitting next to me was Katie, what a sweet, precious soul. I'm so glad I was able to get to know her better, and meet her. She has a quiet spirit, but very smart, we laugh at each other's jokes, we seem to have the same humor.
We arrived in the Appalachian Mountains, specifically the Cumberland Gap, and stood right in it's saddle, then we hiked further up the north spine, to the point where three states come to one point. Instantly I found my crossfit.com handstand Kodak moment, right here in three states, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. I was looking around for someone not busy enough to take my picture. I felt nervous about showing off to all my class mates. But then Nate, I overheard say he wanted to do a handstand in all three states. So I approached him and challenged, “I'll do it, if you do it.” Before he could answer I gave him my camera. I had my backpack tight and did my handstand with everything I lugged up the mountain with: water bottles, text books and notebooks. We started something, Bryant and Shelby showed off also, along with Nate being the most talented and hand stands and walking on hands.
I have to give a plug for Crossfit.com. Crossfit has been an answered prayer for me, I've been indulgent with food and lazy in exercising the past several years. No more excuses of sitting an 8' x 8' cubicle for a day job. Ever since I sensed God speak to me through my mentor John, I've been doing the Crossfit work-out-of-the-day. I have not been able to actually get through one of them, but that's because they are very intense workouts. But if it was not for Crossfit I would not be hear hiking up and down 5,700 foot mountains, keeping up with teen agers!
So in town, we stuffed ourselves with all the American comfort foods our bellies could hold before being having to rough it in the wild. The campers were dropped off in the middle of town and everybody scattered before I could hook up with one of the clicks. I noticed Katie scrunching her face digging in the back of the van. I naturally was concerned, and she noticed me observing, she said she had misplaced her wallet. I lifted up a few heavy duffel bags, and she found the bag that was hiding her wallet away. We turned around and found both of us alone. I recommended McGirdles at McDonald's, she complied and we went.
Katie and me connected well and had much in common sharing college roommate stories. Her's were only from last year her freshman year at ISU. Her party animal roommate that drank, and they hated each other, and I shared about my Satan worshipping rommate at Carthage College back when I was 18. I like how Katie's eyes smile, and enjoy her friendship.
Day four's hike was the Virginia Creeper Trail, which used to be a railroad going through, but was dynamited the bridges and rails, and was not cleaned up. So the rail road track history lays in rubbles in the creek. The trail makes for a flat hike through a valley along a healthy creek.
Katie and I talked some more, she has a real way of drawing people out of their shells in settle and yet curious, innocent ways. Our conversations are getting deeper. Her big question of the day to me was, “so what is your life philosophy?” The answer that came to my mind was in II Peter 1, and I recited to her, “Be all the more diligent in making your calling and election sure.” I explained that I believe my salvation has been set but that I should live hard for God as if my salvation is not sure. Then I went into how I believe God is so extremely sovereign over everything. I made an example of me making my pinkie finger going up and down, and yet somehow that is within God's sovereign will and that in fact even small fluctuations in the quantum realm do not go outside of God's sovereign will, otherwise God is not God. She seemed interested in hearing me preach away even though she is not religious.
I overheard a conversation between Mike and Jerry Hinkley (a retired CLC biology teacher that joined us for this hike). Jerry implied that there have been two waves in the past 35 years of a right wing body of students coming through, and asked Mike if another wave is passing through now. Mike confirmed from his experience, so currently there seems to be a flux of right wing conservative Christians coming through the school system. I understand both sides well, especially when it comes to young earth creationism vs. Darwinian common ancestry in the biology realm. I would tell the Christians to relax and allow the truth to come forward, it always does, science's goal is to uncover the truth no matter how much mysteries it is shrouded in. And also, that the Bible, in Psalm 19 tells us to look to nature for God's glory. Why would God make a trillion year old universe but deceive us into thinking there is only 6,000 years? To the atheist professor I would say that there are philosophical implications that this universe can not exist without a transcendent universe. Thanks to Einstenian E=MC^2: time, space, matter and energy have a beginning—physics had a beginning, and I would consider that the universe did not create itself. Today was a deep discussion day.
We had English class around the campfire and Mike lectured on descriptive language in writing. I am learning very much, and am trying to take as seriously as possible how important it is to take communication seriously. I feel as infant and not very good at communication. I am shy and reserved; I have social phobia and tense up around a group of people. I watch people and am nervous over their judgments of me, and any negative body language. I should keep developing speech, but perhaps writing will be better spent on being more fruitful with conveying my thoughts to my audience, and so I need to learn about this Creative Writing class and everything Mike lectures and the authors he assigns as homework.
We day hiked Comer's Falls section of the AT. I found myself in the back of the group as usual., but walking with Mike and Bob. Mike asked me about myself. I told him I was an accounting major and perhaps a future MBA in finance. He recommended the business trip to China through CLC. Instantly my adrenaline started pumping. He explained further, about something called “study abroad,” which is a new term to me, where one could get a whole semester of college credits in and can also get a job in China to make some income. And that you actually get asked to work for others to tutor English for example. He also talked about how the Chinese eat better then the US, they're food is much fresher. He also mentioned how you haggle with them through a digital keypad to negotiate pricing in their markets. This is truly amazing to me. I know Grainger has recently created a branch in China. I will have to look further into study abroads, and pray and see if God opens any doors. Nate has done the China study abroad and is actually going back this year for Fall semester. I asked him some questions about the church in China. He said there are mostly Buddhist and Hindu temples; there are churches but it's illegal to convert people to Christianity. This gets me excited, to feel that I am completely in the hands of God and his will and how he wants me to preach and open myself up for Chinese people. Maybe this is providence for my future. I have no idea at this point.
I lost my Bible on this trip somehow, but my conscious is clear about that because I have scripture memorized and hidden in my heart. When I am alone or walking the AT, I've found the presence of God. I found a gift of repentative healing while walking Holly's Knob trail, reciting Beth from Psalm 119.
Also, the past year, I've been developing the spiritual discipline of worship through music. This trip I have not been listening to music much.. I'm finding worship music like Misty Edwards and Hillsong are the best groups to help me find the throne room of God. But tonight, on the way into Galax, VA, we were listening to whatever radio station was clear, since mountains would obstruct the radio waves. I was able to worship God through secular music. An old song by Stevie Nix, I think the song is called Changes, and then a few radio stations later we listened to the remix version of by the Dixie Chicks of the same song. I noticed my fleshly affections enjoy the song, but then I was able to do a transference when I was reminded of II Corinthians 3:18 my soul affections overwhelmed my physical affections, I could hear my soul singing glory to God, and being healed, and the awe of God makes me cry.
I notice crying is a good physical indication of the soul having life and revitalization in the presence of God. I believe true Christianity is found in the emotions and affections which was designed to be directed toward God; but so often our emotions are directed toward God's creation (idolatry). It's amazing how people are blind to God by the creation, in my opinion. Our physical emotions and spiritual emotions are completely intertwined, I believe, it can be hard to distinguish between them, and very easy to not have faith-eyes that see the glory of God, but see the glory of ourself or “things.” I'm an idolater and need to repent everyday for this! Forgive me Father.
We landed on a few Christian radio stations and, and my soul was able to find God's presence with David Crowder Band—it's easier when the band is specifically writing music for the glory of God. The thing about secular music is that a lot of songs are written about love. but the transference can put love in it's proper perspective, the type where on mystery is revealed in Paul's letter to Ephesians; the mystery of marriage, not between man and women, but something more profound; true marriage, the pointer of a love in a marriage between man and woman is a pointer between the marriage of the church and Christ. If we are able to see marriage in it's proper and healthy perspective, our souls can only sing to the glory of God. Come and cleanse me Lord, make my soul white as snow like a bride in all her pride on her wedding day!
In Galax we went to a live band called White Top Mountain Band. I tried doing transference on their songs, but there are no lyrics to most, or was hard to understand them in their thick southern accent. They did an encore song, the last was Rocky Top Tennessee. My heart stored up Psalm 24 for this trip which starts, “who can ascend the hill of God? Who can stand in his holy place?” My soul sang to God to the lyrics of the Rocky Top Tennessee song, specifically to the chorus, “Rocky top, you'll always be, home sweet home to me.” Psalm 24 was resonating deep within my soul, I want my home sweet home to be on top of the mountain of God in the holy place, in the presence of God!
Another way about the spiritual discipline of worship through music that I have discovered which helps me find God. When God gives somebody a gift of singing, I found that the passion in the singer's voice I am able to attach the longing of my soul to the person's gift and sing in unison with them. Especially if it is particularly worshipful song, or redemptive song, or song glorifying God, through their spiritual gift of song in the most passionate and affectionate and emotional way, and in a way I can become one with the singer, or somehow give them my soul, and I become unglued in new ways that I am unable to do by myself. I definitely do not have this spiritual gift of singing, but am able to tap into their gift. Even in secular music it is possible too, because everybody is made in the image of God, and everybody is made to bring God glory, I believe, so even in secular music I believe brings God glory, even if secular person does not know it and even sings about God-hating content.
The next hike was Iron Mountain Trail. Sean and me were filling our water bottles for the hike down at the Hurricane Camp main area. Sean asked me a particularly interesting questions, “do you ever worry?” I answered, “Nope, because I have Jesus.” Then I corrected myself and answered again, “actually, if I have the faith to not worry, but I try and glorify God in everything.” He didn't say anything still and pondered my answer. I wasn't sure what spurred him to ask so I continued to preach, “Even if I get an F in my classes, glory be to God. Even if I get an A, glory be to God. Even if I get my head chopped off by a terrorist, glory be to God.” He has really been growing this trip, I believe. The teacher's have really taken him under their wings. I need to pray for him more.
We started hiking, and we were a few miles in, I was walking behind Sam and Katie and we heard crashing and tree splintering and sliding down the mountain, the sounds lasting about 15 seconds, the sounds rumbling through the forest. I thought it sounded like an avalanche, others thought it was the sounds of gunshots. We kept walking and minutes later came upon the scene of several trees that fell and dominoe affected a few other trees over, the trail was completely covered. The trail was walking along the side of the mountain so the tree fell perpendicular down-hill. And the air had the smell of fresh cut wood, so this was obviously the avalanche sound that I heard. These were huge trees, so we went around them, up hill, in case they shifted again we would be out of their way. But before we did that we were all amazed. Even Mike saw it and since we are going through authors like Thoreau and Emerson, Mike mentioned about transcendentalism and about how this is not a coincidence and about man's interconnectedness with nature; he also said we can call it what we want, so I want to call it God showing us about his glory through providence to worship and glorify him. Jamie mentioned about if we did not stop at that last break we could been killed. I overheard the teachers talking about if they did not get a late start by picking up through-hikers we would have completely missed those trees falling. I believe God is so sovereign over all the happening on earth we should marvel in complete awe and amazement at God and his timing and showing us an avalanche!
Some after thoughts of this trip. Before we left I prayed that the camper's and myself would see the glory God on this trip. The way I believe that prayer was answered was by the avalanche. I saw the glory of God that way. Also, the conversations I had with the other students and the relationships I built. I believe the China trip was providence, and that somehow and someway God will open a door for me to go to China. I believe I will keep in touch with Sean, Katie and Nate and the professors. I pray that God was glorified and changed people's lives this trip.
A Walk in the Woods
by Bill Bryson
A style analysis, by Don Tjader
A Walk in the Woods, is a perfect book to read before going on our Appalachian Trail adventure for class. As our class prepares for our trip by buying last minute hiking necessities to survive for 2 weeks in the wilderness, reading this book is quite helpful in enlarging how big the task that we are undertaking, and may help us decide what we may need, or leave behind, by reading about somebody else and all their trials and errors.. What could be better then reading the first few chapters, reading about an another trail hiker, Bill Bryson, and all his preparations for his hike of a lifetime; hiking the 2,100 mile AT. I can't think of a better read for a class, or endeavor for a trip except to analyze the adventures of a fellow AT trail hiker.
Bill Bryson is very gifted writer, he uses very vivid language, he has done tons of research for his trip, and his personality comes out in his writing when he describes his interactions with other travelers, and his describing his own emotions; and this essay will discuss those few points about his book. Bill Bryson uses a lot of imagery and descriptiveness that allows the words in his stories to come alive and jump off the page and into your lap. He uses strong adjectives to move his reader by describing the beauty of nature, and the beauty and ugliness of mankind. Like Mary Ellen's ear clearing, another hiker's clipping his nose and snorting, or the vastness of the mountains and valleys, or the smell of walking under bushes, or the smell of drying wool socks that smell like body odor. He uses all the senses to enlighten his readers of his adventure's details. I noticed that during Bill's interactions with others, he always describes body language and facial expressions, this seems important for any book or writing. By capturing these expressions, he is able to capture the essence of the person's spirit and encapsulate it in to words—this helps with 2 dimensional book pages becoming 3 dimensional in our imagination. This writing style seems more important the more I think about it (I will take this opportunity in this creative writing class to try and develop this skill more in my writing.).
He has done a lot of research for this trip. Reading many books and talking to others with experience, and at the same time making it funny. For example how long the trail mileage is set for has been changed or is different in the research data (he seems to have settled with rounding off to 2,100 miles). Also other statistics about the drop out rate of how many hikers set out to hike the entire 2,100 miles. And finally he argues a persuasive point over the conservation of trail and forestry, and how it has changed over the past century from deforestation and building highways through. He also talked about the controversies of the origins of building this trail, and who should get the credit. Pulling in controversies and making his writing part-research book all make his adventure more engaging and real.
Probably the main thing that makes this story a can't-put-down book, is that it's about two ordinary middle aged men, who are overweight and could be at home watching television. Katz a recovered Alcoholics Anonymous graduate, among other addictions and personality defects, makes this a once in a lifetime adventure that I would never predict to happen, and yet that's one of the beauty's of this book. The question I keep asking myself is do these guys have what it takes to brave the wild? The chilly nights? The pouring rain? The lonely trail? Will they make it to Maine? It will be a comedy all the way as I read to the end of the book. He makes themselves out to be Charlie Browns that seems to always get the wrong end of the stick in life, but not this time, Bryson and Katz are determined to make it, even if there will be lots of cussin' and groaning all the way; the story makes for a very entertaining read. I find myself not able to wait to read what's going to happen next.
Another style I notice about Bill is his honesty. He is not trying to paint himself as some buff guy walking the trail, but he honestly reveals his inner child as being a “cupcake” for example. He describes his fears of walking alone in the “spooky” forest; and his indignation of other traveler's, like Mary Ellen, who have bad boundaries and invite themselves into Bryson's and Katz' adventure. Bill describing his emotions along the trail help his reader to trust him, and make the adventure more vivid, and since emotions are universally instinctual, his audience can relate, and do, and the writing becomes more interesting; as I read more about Bryson's feelings, I feel along with him: his pain, his tiredness, his fears; this in turn, develops Bryson's character, and at the same time, create a very fascinating book.
In conclusion those are the three main points I see in the book: the colorful language, the research element he adds, and the comedy of how this story should never happen. There is a lot of style to study, and I hope to learn personally. Seems that his large vocabulary and very descriptive language is something that would take me a long time develop. I do see how important it is to describe body language and facial expressions, I want to start that immediately in my own writings. Also, the importance of trying to describe emotions as honestly as possible I can start right away in my journaling. I look forward to this entire trip stretching and teaching me how to be more of a clear communicator and writer, and can't wait to hit the trails!
Paragraph invoking emotion
He is wrecked on an island, and looks around in disbelief. He surveyed the island. It is lush with fruits, and honey; birds sings a joyous tune to the background of bubbling natural springs. He takes it all in and his eyes grow softer, and takes a deep breathe.
Haikus
The wise old oak tree:
dropping acorns in the woods,
has seen much change.
The winter river:
the ice chunks carried away,
slowly eroding.
A blossom budding:
entire life before it,
dancing in the wind.
Raining on my tent,
my eyes are growing sleepy.
Sleeping to raindrops.
The great Laurel Falls:
children caudled in it's might,
youthful glee and joy.
2 List Poems
Coffee in a black kettle,
whistling in a the campfire flames,
licking the sides, I wait patiently.
Other campers, making their lunches for the day:
apples, PB and J sandwiches, and trail mix.
Hot coffee in a black kettle,
poured out into a mug,
my hands warmed by the heat.
Other campers disappearing into the woods:
trowels, toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Coffee in a mug,
my lips kiss the rim,
sharp heat touches my tongue.
Other campers, sleeping in,
woken up by the taunts of others.
Hot coffee, warms my soul,
every moment savored of our camp.
Alone and naked in a desert.
Skin pealing, lips cracked, eyes frowning, and
skin pulled tight across ribs.
Face in the dirt and body prostrated across rocks,
his cries fill the sky.
Days go by, and then weeks.
Until the rain comes,
and pours.
Gulley's fill with water.
Water runs down his face,
and chest, and legs.
Hands raise to the sky,
Face pointed to the heavens,
Loud laughing cries!
1 Technical Salamander List Poem
College in the Appalachian Mountains
Students study micro habitats inside their biomes.
Hiking to all destinations on the famous Appalachian Trail.
Through vibrant Iris, Azalea and Rhododendron blooms
And the mighty Hemlocks, Spruce and Fir.
We use orienteering skills to find our way
with compass and topographical maps to keep from getting lost
Lotion on our noses, hope for sunny, blue skies.
Dark clouds roll in and rain drops falls, but rain coats always ready in the backpack
The biology teacher says, “time for sally huntin'.”
The students commune with fellow phylum chordata--salamanders!
flipping over every rock and dead log, searching for our slimy friends
Keying them for their genus and species for extra credit
Inspecting the dorsal and ventrals for markings, counting the costal folds.
And at the end of the day enjoying hot dogs around the campfire
and sharing ghost stories, and building practical skills
and sharing experience that will last a life time.
2 Eating Nature Poems
Like sweet smelted gold.
Impurities melt in my mouth,
dross dribbles from the corner of my lour.
Coals stirred, bellows blow, appetite grows,
And hunger for more.
I demand only the purest of gold to satiate me! The kind that
Prophets searched for relentlessly, and
Saints inquire carefully, and
Angels long to behold the glory.
2 I don't know Poems
Blue skies, the sun touches my skin.
Crisp breeze, the trees dance and sing.
Cloud puffs glide by, but,
build up. Building up, clouds turn gray,
and then black.
No more sun, the wind howls.
Blowing harder. And harder.
The trees bend and scream.
The clouds stop and darken the land
The wind stands still.
The trees still and silent.
An opening in the clouds, double doors appear,
Engulfed in golden light.
The doors open slowly,
revealing a heavenly being,
with white wings high and to his sides.
Skin shimers, robed in light,
a long trumpet at his side.
Right arm raises to his lips, and
the trumpet breaks the silence with deafening noise,
creates pressure in my chest,
and reverberates throughout the land:
tops of mountains, over plains and crossing seas.
Black clouds begin to race across the sky.
Mountains crumble on the horizon.
The earth quakes below me.
The trumpet becomes louder still.
I fall to my hands and knees.
I clutch my heart, burning within.
Sweat runs down my face and neck.
My body wracks in spasms.
The trumpet drowns out my scream.
My flesh peels away from bone, and blows away.
My bones crumble to dust and scatter in the wind.
Am I still alive?
The trumpet sounds ends.
The earth stops shaking.
The wind stops blowing.
Warm light engulfs me.
Silence,
and then I hear a stern voice say to me,
“Fear not.”
Rhyming Couplet
There once was a caveman named Harry
he had a plush toy canary.
And the canary helped him fall asleep,
because the canary does not make a peep.
But one day a mean ogre came out of the jungle
and stole the canary, and Harry could no longer snuggle.
Now every night Harry cried before bed,
and cried until one day he said:
“A caveman does not need a cary to sleep,
because plush toy canary's don't make a peep.”
3 Poems that I liked analysis
The Move by Charles Douthat
I liked this poem because it relates directly with the course of my life. I've moved several times over the course of the past 16 years. So I know what the “first box wasn't filled yet” feeling. I also know the feeling of lifting novels and dictionary's off the book shelf to pack in the boxes. Books are the heaviest to move. On a technical level he does not say why the father is moving, but the emotions of the move is permeated in the future, and the family is being seperated, and withdrawal period is starting. Very moving poem.
1 Poem I disliked analysis
Crying Man by Charles Douthat
I did not like Crying Man because there is obviously some constipation going on in the O'hare airport. Seems like something that would come out of lower education classroom, and would definitely not win the prize (as this one did). On a technical level it does get the reader's attention. And the poem does a great job of catching the atmosphere of nervousness and hurriedness of O'hare airport.
Show, Don't Tell assignment
Great tentmate: His outfit is laid out for the next day, and camping gear does not take up the whole tent. He offers snacks and other gear.
New camper: He looked lost and confused. He scrunched his face as he searched tirelessly through his sack for a compass or map.
Beautiful florra: The rhododendron covered the mountain face in pinks and purples, decorated on the green leaves and jagged rocks. The aroma set me back to the flowership at Dominick's.
Ugly flora: A dead Hemlock, it's trunk felled by the over run plague of an invasive species of ten caterpillar. They dance madly and frantically spread their silk over their victim's corpse.
Awe-inspiring scene: Walking down the path, the canopy opens up with a majestic mountain peak, skirting the deep blue sky.
Nervous instructor: The first day of class, the instructer introduces himself, and the act of confidence is broken by a nervous stutter.
Tired camper: He lumbers to camp after a long trail. Beating his feat all day against the unforgiving trail. Shoulders are weary from an oversized pack, containing all his life belongings.
Great sky: The sky is dark blue in the east, and gradiets into purples, pinks, reds and finally the buning oranges and reds, I can only avert my eyes away from it's power.
