"Gray's First Sober Year" by William Notter

The poem talks about this new found experience, almost a rebirth into--a new life--a new begining. The poem starts off relating to similiar situations, but ending up with very different results. He mentions this when he awakes up in the morning, how he does it everyday, but it somehow is new--it's different. He now knows where he is--no longer feeling dizzy and confused, but instead calmer and more in control.

But then the poem shifts. I talks about shopping, shopping for an aniversary gift, and hearing tears. Assuming that there is something wrong, but then realizing this great relief that those tears, were not of sadness but rather of joy. Tears from his wife that he hasn't heard since a those terrible days when he was drunk. Everything the same, but yet, new, odd, and different.

He goes on talking about the wife, moving the focus a little, creating this image, this angelic image. That she was the one always there for him, just waiting and helping him to pull through, never giving up on him. Within the words, the strong sense of graditude is truly sensed. The last line, he wakes up, feeling as if the situation is switched, since he used to be the one always oversleeping, and she would watch him as she got up, but now that he is sober he wakes up before her.

"Apology to the Wasps" by Sara Llittlecrow-Russell

This poem used the simple analogy of the wasp stinging a person. To incorporate, her point of view of what nations and countries are doing to others, and how one fails to see the other side being only blinded by the ignorance and selfishness, that people think about.

When a person is stung by a bee or a wasp, they only think about how much hurt that was experienced, and that the wasp should die, for whatever reason--either not to sting again or to others, or just out of pure anger and hate. Because we look at situations and things from a larger and more broader view, we tend to fail seeing the other side of the situation, and sometimes a truer reason for that action.

In some cases people can and do see the other side, but tend to view the other side as "wasps" or something unhuman, making it almost a reason for people to justify the action of trying to kill the other. And thus, in turn disreguarding all aspects.

"Where I Am With You" by Ryan Vine

The poem "Where I am with you" starts off with an image of a couple; Seeming to be in their old age. The element of an old couple waking up together, is very heartwarming and touching. Knowing what they've been through thick and thin together, showing a strong love, and relationship between the two. This old couple seem alone, but yet together all at the same time, and not trobuled by the cares of the world.

The dark clouds roll in, showing something bleak is coming, and in a literal meaning, rain. The couple look out the window, and see the youth and people rushing, rushing through their lives; The couple observes these people through eyes of wisdom. Almost as if they have been there and done that, and now know what the real importance of life truly is. And in a way they seem to have a sense of pride when watching this younger generation. Almost as if they are their own child, who has grown, became mature and independant; seeing it as a job well done on their part. Making the feeling that they have done what they can, and that they have completed their purpose and mission in life, that is, to raise the youth to fill in their shoes when it's their time.

The final line really ties into what was mentioned. The only thing that anyone in this poem ever say is "Let it rain, let it pour." As if they are ready for the worst, and in their old age I thought in my mind that they are ready for death. And as they look and see their accomplishments in the younger generation they feel complete and ready to die together.

First Post:

Seeing as I was absent yesterday, I made my account today.