Aziz Hamid- Journal 4

Part One:

I really enjoyed reading A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver.  Her book was very useful and practical. Her book covers the basics of poetry, including sound, diction, tone, meter, rhyme, imagery and much more. This book is helpful for anyone interested in understanding and writing poetry. In order to be a good poet, a person needs to be able to know the terms and techniques of poetry and this book teaches you it!

One of my biggest takeaways from reading A Poetry Handbook comes from the chapter on Imitation.  In this chapter I learned that in poetry imitation is actually encouraged. "But in the world of writing it is originality that is sought out, and praised, while imitation is the sin of sins." (pg 13)  Nowadays when somebody imitate/plagiarize another person work it is frowned upon and considered morally wrong. But in this chapter the author encourages imitation because imitation helps you learn.  After you practice imitating other poets' styles you will slowly develop your own style. Now I like to imitate my favorite poets style and incopporate my own style.  The more I imitate my favorite poets the more I develop my own style. When I imitate my favorite poets I learn what I like and don't like. Imitation is very important for anyone who is a beginner poet.

Another of my biggest takeaways from reading A Poetry Handbook comes from the chapter "Some Given Forms" In this chapter I learned about the importance of the design of a poem. There are many things that are important when choosing a design of a poem. These include rhyme, meter length of line and the sounds of the various letters. The overall length of the poem, its tone and the use imagery is also important. One thing I noticed that I think is important is that any change from an established pattern indicates that the poet wants the reader to feel something different at that point. This technique acts as guide to the way the poet wants the reader to feel and understand the poem. I usually like to center my poems. But I learned that when I center my poems it actually hurts my poem. I get rid of my ability to use enjambment and turning the line.

Part Two

I never heard of Sharon Olds before I read the packet on her. I found it interesting that some of her work is built on her sex life.  I would personally never write about my sex life. It seems to me that either the critics love or hate Olds. I was surprised that some critics thought she was to selfish because I think being selfish to yourself is sometimes good. Being selfish sometimes helps you grow as a person and be more independent. If it wasn't for Old's selfisness she might now have written all the great poems she wrote. " Her poetry is remarkable for its candor, its eroticism, and its power to move." Some critics thought her poetry was amazing.

The poem that caught my attention the most is "The Unborn" When I first read this poem I thought it was very powerful and has a lot of meaning.  This poem seems like a sad poem.  The poem flows very nicely.  I was able to feel Old's emotion in this poem. " The children we could have, The glimmer of them." This poem reminds me of all the children that never had a chance to experience the world.