Journal 5- Morgan DeWitt

Rita Dove is a very important literary figure from Akron, Ohio. She attended Miami University of Ohio. She served as Poet Laureate of The United States and received several awards including the 1996 National Humanities Medal from President Clinton and the Pulitzer Prize of Poetry. She was the youngest person and first African American to become Poet Laureate. Her and her husband are avid ballroom dancers!



Rita Dove and President Obama

Rita Dove is known for writing beautiful lyric poems about history, politics, and other art forms. Dove wrote a collection of poems called "On The Bus With Rosa Parks. The poem I chose is called Rosa.There are themes of race, power, and courage in this poem. It really zooms in on Rosa Parks actions on that historical day.

Rosa

How she sat there,
the time right inside a place,
so wrong it was ready.

The trim name with
its dream of a bench
to rest on. Her sensible coat.

Doing nothing was the doing:
the clean flame of her gaze
carved by a camera flash.

How she stood up
when they bent down to retrieve
her purse. That courtesy.

Journal Four

Mary Oliver's "A Poetry Handbook" was very informational and provided a lot of material especially for beginner poets. The biggest take away was that while workshop is good and very helpful, the poem needs the writer and not society. It needs solitude. She tells that workshop is important to receive ideas and support from others so that you can continue and finish a well written poem. At the same time, you are the only person who can write that poem.
Another big take away was that imitation is good and healthy. We are also told that copying is not allowed and is this terrible thing but in poetry, copying a persons style is a good way for new poets to get started. It is a good way to develop your own style.

Sharon Olds poetry is heavily criticized but some and enjoyed by others. I found it odd that she was so criticized for writing of herself and her life. It seems that she shares the truth and is open with her life.
The poem "The  Unborn" really caught my eye. It is shorter than the rest in the packet and reminded me of a poem by Sylvia Plath called "Stillborn". I really liked the lines "Sometimes I see them lying like love letters In the Dead Letter Office"

Journal 4

PART 1:

Mary Oliver's A Poetry Handbook was a very engaging and easy to read book that provided many different techniques, terms, and even examples throughout the book to help my understanding of poetry. One in particular that stood out was the theme throughout the entire book which in my opinion was to stay honest and true to your word because poetry is supposed to be an atmosphere of emotional freedom. Oliver does a wonderful job by reminding the reader throughout the book. On page 106, Oliver says "Also it began through the process of seeing, and feeling, and hearing, and smelling, and touching, and then remembering - i mean remembering in words - what these perceptual experiences were like, while trying to describe the endless invisible fears and desires of our own inner lives." This quote supports the fact that Oliver wants poets to write what they feel and what they truly are almost scared to write about because in the end sometimes the writing that you're most scared to write about ends up being the most brilliant. 

Another thing that I took away from reading this book was how to properly use imagery and the wild array of possibilities there truly are. On page 105, Oliver talks about Universal Images and how we create imagery "Through our imagination and our intelligence, we recall, organize, conceptualize, and meditate." (pg 105, Oliver). And this concept rings true for me because for me personally when I visualize something I create a workshop in my head and I let an idea sit and then let it blossom until I can truly see - once I see it, I write it. Another technique that meshes with this imagery is the use of sound, something I've never even thought of consciously, and now when writing I try to have more of an ear for the poem. I think prior to reading this book I was almost deaf with my imagination when truly if you want a perfect piece you need to SEE and HEAR. This book has overall helped me open up a new section of creativity and helped me improve my poetry writing for the future.

PART 2:

A) Sharon Olds is a very fascinating author due to her wide variety in subject matter but then also because of her critiques over the years. Honestly, I'm impressed with her because of all of the awards she has won even when she put out some pretty edgy pieces. Something I noticed when reading her poetry is that it IS very dark just how the critics said and it shows through her nonchalant attitude when it comes to heavy material such as in "Space Heater". I loved how the packet went into detail and showed the interview with her because it gave me an idea of her as a writer and inspired me to write the way that she writes in the sense that she doesn't think she's some master of poetry or superior to anyone - she's just a spirit going through life just like anyone else.

B) The poem that stuck out most to me was "I Go Back To May 1937". This poem stuck out to me and I got physically excited reading it because I realized that it was the poem that Chris McCandless reads in Into The Wild in the movie. As I read it I realized it and then had one of the best moments of "Oh my gosh I've heard this before". I really enjoy this poem because it's so honest that it hurts, and I mean that because of lines such as "you are going to do things bad to your children" and that is an honest blow straight to her parents. Even if they weren't dead, she took so much risk writing this piece - but I'm happy she did because it probably gave so many people something to relate to, or someone to empathize with, and overall this poem most likely affected so many lives that Sharon Olds never even thought would affect.

JOURNAL 4- Jake Ritzert

Part One: 2 biggest take aways
1.) Imitation is a good thing for students learning to write poetry. I find this to be a very essential point in the book because it helps the student develop new skills and techniques that have proven to be loved and taken to throughout history. By trying to use the style of previous world renowned poets it helps to student realize what is important with their style of writing. But, in a addition to finding what works for the young poets imitating, they can more easily see what does not work for them also and alter things to help them better relate their poems to the reader. This helps shape their own and unique style. Mary Oliver states, "Let them (students) imitate and imitate- and learn and learn"(page 18). We learn from imitating from a young age. We are constantly imitating our parents, friends, athletes, teachers, and anyone else who has an impact on our lives, so imitating influential poets should not be any different.
2.) I think the overall approach Mary Oliver has on the aspect of poetry has changed my view from my early notions. "It reflects from the writer's point of view-his or her perspective- out of all the sum of his or her experience and thought"(122). I love the idea that poetry is more than just poetic words and rhythm, it speaks the persons thoughts and feelings. "Poetry is a life-cherishing force"(122). She is so passionate about the way she approaches poetry that it inspires students to really indulge in their work.

Part Two: Sharon Olds response:
1.) Sharon Olds has won many rewards for her "human voice" that many find "self-indulgent." There are many opinions on her because some people feel like she is too personal with her writings, where as, others enjoy her "power to move and eroticism." I think people have been too harsh on Sharon Olds because how can somebody critique or put down her style of poetry when she is just expressing herself through her writing. I have always been a believer in just being yourself and not worrying about how others view you. I think Sharon is just expressing herself in her writings and critics have taken her work and twisted them into their own opinions on her. I enjoy her humanistic approach to poetry and I like seeing people do something different from others, and for this I respect her style and poetic career.
2.) My favorite poem was The Space Heater because it seemed to have the better flow and had a better story entailed inside it compared to the other poems. Although I am not a huge fan of her style and poem design, I can really appreciate this poem. The poem has a very human and basic interaction  between the doctor and the narrator that seems so simple but provided a great significance to the patient. Sharon Olds gives the patient and doctor in the poem a very basic human voice by adding a simple question/response conversation that results in the doctor going through more than the patient expected him to do for her. She realizes that if he would go through all that work just to unplug the heater than she was in good hands. I really enjoy the way the poem seems stream of conciseness.

Journal #4: Morgan DeWitt

Part one:
Mary Oliver offered a lot of good advice in her Poetry Handbook, so it was hard to pick just two ideas to focus on. My first takeaway was from the Imagery chapter, under the 'some cautions' section where she talks about the purpose of literature. She describes in a beautiful way, "Literature is the apparatus through which the world tries to keep intact it's important ideas and feelings" (108). She took a huge concept and boiled it down to one simple and strong sentence here. The reason we read literature is because it holds something that we want to experience, we can live a million lives through literature.  We can understand important ideas through literature and we can feel different ways though literature. Literature gives us an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and more about the world, it's a beautiful thing and Mary Oliver understands this and brings it to life in this section.

My second takeaway was from The Workshops and Solitude chapter, under the section of 'solitude'. This is where she expresses the importance of the working in solitude, "The poem requires of the writer not society or instruction, but a patch of profound and unbroken solitude" (117). This  tuck out to me because I feel like it shows the importance of the relationship between a writer and his/her pen and paper. We always stress the importance of Workshops and building the relationships in the writers community, but we must also remember the importance of the writer in solitude. Sometimes it's hard and challenging to be alone with your thoughts and the pen and the paper but that's where the magic happens.

Part two:

I thought it was interesting how Sharon Old's received a lot of criticism for her poems because people thought she was 'too selfish'. I have no problem with the fact that she only writes about her experiences and thoughts. Poetry is for readers, but first it is for yourself. I enjoy reading her thoughts and how she expresses her experiences, sometimes you can learn more about yourself based on your actions to different poems. She really remind me a lot of Cheryl Strayed who starts one of her stories called "The Love of My Life" with the the line, "The first time I cheated on my husband...". It has the shock value and it's a story about her experiences but it provokes several different reactions from readers. If you liked Sharon Olds, I suggest you read it!

The poem, "Sex Without Love" really caught my attention. I think it addressed a subject that needs talking about, especially in our generation. The everlasting fight between lust and love. We've all felt that fight and I like how Sharon Olds just addressed it with no regrets. It was a beautiful poem about a grotesque subject.

Journal Four from Amanda Gifford

The chapter on imagery was very insightful describing the many different forms that help efficiently develop the scenes, settings, and characters. When one imagines a setting or object they can see it clearly and trying to portray it to someone else through poetry can be challenging. Not everyone will perceive it exactly as the writer intends or as it is portrayed in the line.  Along with the help of similes and metaphors the other devices are very helpful in the development of the subject matter. Alliteration is descriptive using the same starting letter of the word to give a smooth flow. Figurative language creates expression allowing depth of perception to what the writer feels or imagines.  Although these techniques are helpful, they can be overwhelming when used excessively.  By applying the thought process, poetry style and rules has made me more conscious of word choice and placement within the poem.

Poetry may express a personal reflection of the writer’s worldview.  Passion and personal experiences provide insight and knowledge which spark inspiration for poems that can enlighten others.  Throughout history generations and societal norms can be depicted by challenging or defining an individual’s perception. Criticism can play a role of keeping with traditional thought process or create division to creatively open new ideas for society. Inspiration for your perspective can be found where its least expected and have a rewarding insight on this journey of understanding life.

It was interesting reading Sharon Olds subjects that inspired her to write of her personal experiences that could be considered taboo to societal standards. Expressing profound emotion is may be portrayed as vulnerability and receives criticism almost as if the act of expressing is too emotional. Although she’s received crude criticism towards her work that some consider as being borderline pornographic with a flair of narcissism did hinder her desire to succeed. The poem the “Unborn” caught my attention for being short, but packed with emotion. Her imagery of the children hanging around her conscience like gnats was very powerfully portrayed.  She expresses a deep mourning for motherhood and children, many children, and her emptiness and endless longing.

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.