Poetry Project
Appreciation of happiness
Happiness
A feeling of joy
That does not come in a toy
Going softly slowly stepping into the sunshine
Look up in the sky
Have the feeling you can fly
Feeling the breeze relax and ease
As your eyes align with the trees
The sight of a squirrel eating a walnut as it runs away with content
The money that was spent
Doesn’t give you the event
Happiness isn’t tangible
Happiness is valuable
Happiness is irreplaceable
A feeling of joy
That cannot be destroyed
This poem ‘Appreciation of Happiness’ is by Nushin Agha Gul has a meaning towards this world and uses many of the devices to enhance the language within. ‘Appreciation of Happiness’ interprets many literary languages such as repetition, simile, alliteration, rhyme, hyperbole, and also a taste of imagery. The theme that Nushin has given is taking in the moments to find that true happiness, not by tangible items but by the moment in life. This poem also gave me a connection to life that some people may want to buy a new house but has so many memories in the old one, so choosing the one really depends on how much thought and feeling goes into it. ‘Appreciation of Happiness’ seems to be an open happy poem that reveals and gets us readers thinking that maybe happiness is not something you can take its an experience. In addition, this poem connects to the video ‘More’ where the character-tired finding happiness in a machine and thought that way how he becomes happy. But really in the end he realized that that was not the way to go. In Nushin’s poem there is repetition near the end: “Happiness isn’t tangible, Happiness is valuable, Happiness is irreplaceable” (12-14). These lines give a clear understanding of the connection it has to the ‘More’ video getting the message out there that true satisfaction cannot be manufactured. In addition, there is also another line the poet has made due to (short time happiness): “The money that was spent, doesn’t give you the event” (10-11). This indicates that whatever you choose to buy and spend money on tangible items, it doesn’t seem to give you the moment and the feeling of happiness. Overall, this poem gets into detail on what the true meaning of happiness is and knowing to appreciate happiness in ways that you might not realize. The photo that represents ‘Appreciation of Happiness’ displays the moment of which you see around, and the person being joyful and seems to be happy in the moment. This poem by Nushin Agha Gul uses figurative language to let readers think about what happiness really means, when you know you are really happy it cannot be taken.
THE LAST RIDE- Poem analysis
The Last Ride by Andrea Holtslander and open poem, talks about a space shuttle tragedy that was brought up in the media. The structure of this poem and the way it is written puts in a good visual understanding towards the message. The poem starts off with a disaster that had happened with a family and a rocket, then going into the media part where they kind of take that incident and turn it into something very different, so it’s something people want to hear. There are many devices added such as, the simile at the beginning: “The booster rockets twist crazily through the sky like balloons whipped free from a child’s grasp.” (1-6). Indicating that it happened suddenly and there is no going back. In addition, there are some exaggerations one of which is the title itself “Last Ride”. The title seems to be an understatement, making it seem like it should be a good ‘fun’ poem but really it is about a disaster. I believe Andrea wanted people to understand that the Last ride was about how media is so quick to change the way people think and feel during a certain situation. This poem is talking about disaster with the space shuttle and how a family lost their lives. However, they quickly change the channel to sports which is less important and less of emotion. Almost like they people watching on T.V doesn’t have feeling for the lives that were lost in the tragic accident. The media being scolded and needs to be more comforting to talk more about the family instead having the attention on the rocket and having it live: “We will run the fireworks once again.” (13). This line is satirical and it’s comparing the fireworks to the rocket letting them know the media has it for those who missed it. This poem shows a very good understanding of how the devices were used and how it was overall put together. I chose this poem because to me it gives a deeper insight of what the media and tragic incidents like this one has gone through, but also the chosen words and how it was placed by Andrea caught my attention.