Poetry+2+-+6

 The Many Random Thoughts of Teenage English Students  2-6 Poetry  This page belongs to three If their names you wish to retrieve Simply call them Andy, Wes, and Steve To have great poets, there must be great audiences.   [|Walt Whitman]

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**   ———— ²²²²²²²²²² ————       **        ===== <span style="COLOR: rgb(2,232,69)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(57,23,222)">A Ping Pong Poem  ** <span style="COLOR: rgb(2,232,69)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(57,23,222)">By: King Pong
 * [[image:table-tennis-and-ping-pong1.jpg width="410" height="417" align="right" caption="click for the link" link="http://www.funnyphotos.net.au/"]]

Breathing deep before the whistle The ping pong ball acts as my missile I cannot stand when serves are spun Because therefore the point is won

Back and forth the white ball flies That one girl's better than all those guys She moves like a cat, but stings like a bee The best one, as far as I can see

The paddle is my only hope As if I'm aiming through a scope I smash the ball as if a mace Right into the opponent's face

The game's now over, what a task You can see the trophy, but please ask The paddle goes "pong", and the ball goes "ping" And that is why they all call me King

** <span style="COLOR: rgb(181,18,180)"> **The Day Before Summer (Parody of The Night Before Christmas- 4 stanzas)** By: King Pong, Homeslicelax, and ep101550
 * <span style="COLOR: rgb(10,43,240)"> ———— ²²²²²²²²²² ————

Twas the day before summer and all through the school Not a student was caring, their minds on the pool The backpacks were hung in the lockers with grief In hopes that the school day would be very brief

The children were tired, all slumped in their seats While they could be outside rappin' to beats And the teachers dressed formal and we in our shorts Had just come from playing fun summer sports

When out on the pavement arose such a noise We jumped from our seats with much-readied poise Away to the staircase we scrambled so fast Forgetting the classes we hadn't passed

The weather was too hot for any white snow And the burning sun scorched all the people below When what we did see made our eyes shine But merely, it was some kid named Wes Kline <span style="COLOR: rgb(10,43,240)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(10,43,240)"> ** ———— ²²²²²²²²²² ** **————** <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)">** <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)"> Caged Bird  **<span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">    <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">By: Maya Angelou <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky. <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">     <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">     <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom. <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">     <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own. <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">     <span style="COLOR: rgb(30,17,75)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(39,60,176); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)">The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom. [|Maya Angelou]<span style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)"> is a poet who is a strong advocate for equal rights for African Americans. She wrote Caged Bird in a time of great social turmoil. The poem Caged Bird describes the struggle of African Americans to obtain equal Civil Rights. She uses [|symbolism]and [|metaphors] to describe elements of African American history. The caged bird symbolizes the African American race in their struggle for racial equality. The caged bird that is stuck behind bars and sings symbolizes the slaves on southern cotton plantations, who were kept in chains and sang to pass time in the fields. Their thoughts about fat worms translate to thoughts of rich opportunity in the world. But they cannot reach these opportunities, because the cage, their skin color, holds them back. Her reference to "the free bird thinking of another breeze and trade winds through the sighing trees" is a metaphor for the people who have equal rights and opportunities and are thinking of things that they could acheive that others cannot. The caged bird standing on the grave of dreams symbolizes the reality for those that were discriminated against. African American children of the 1950's were not as well educated as white children, and therefore were not capable of fulfilling their dreams. The caged bird's song reaching a distant hill represents the call for freedom from disrimination reaching Civil Rights activists such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The poem acheives a purpose in describing the struggle of African Americans and how they longed for freedom through much of history.

**<span style="COLOR: rgb(10,43,240)"> ———— ²²²²²²²²²² ————   **

<span style="COLOR: rgb(125,28,28)"> **media type="custom" key="812101" A Boy Named Sue** By: Shel Silverstein <span style="COLOR: rgb(125,28,28)"> Well, my daddy left home when I was three, and he didn't leave much to Ma and me, just this old guitar and a bottle of booze. Now I don't blame him because he run and hid, but the meanest thing that he ever did was before he left he went and named me Sue.

Well, he must have thought it was quite a joke, and it got lots of laughs from a lot of folks, it seems I had to fight my whole life through. Some gal would giggle and I'd get red and some guy would laugh and I'd bust his head, I tell you, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue.

Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean. My fist got hard and my wits got keen. Roamed from town to town to hide my shame, but I made me a vow to the moon and the stars, I'd search the honky tonks and bars and kill that man that gave me that awful name.

But it was Gatlinburg in mid July and I had just hit town and my throat was dry. I'd thought i'd stop and have myself a brew. At an old saloon in a street of mud and at a table dealing stud sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue.

Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad from a worn-out picture that my mother had and I knew the scar on his cheek and his evil eye. He was big and bent and gray and old and I looked at him and my blood ran cold, and I said, "My name is Sue. How do you do? Now you're gonna die." Yeah, that's what I told him.

Well, I hit him right between the eyes and he went down but to my surprise he came up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear. But I busted a chair right across his teeth. And we crashed through the wall and into the street kicking and a-gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.

I tell you I've fought tougher men but I really can't remember when. He kicked like a mule and bit like a crocodile. I heard him laughin' and then I heard him cussin', he went for his gun and I pulled mine first. He stood there looking at me and I saw him smile.

And he said, "Son, this world is rough and if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough and I knew I wouldn't be there to help you along. So I gave you that name and I said 'Goodbye'. I knew you'd have to get tough or die. And it's that name that helped to make you strong."

Yeah, he said, "Now you have just fought one helluva fight, and I know you hate me and you've got the right to kill me now and I wouldn't blame you if you do. But you ought to thank me before I die for the gravel in your guts and the spit in your eye because I'm the nut that named you Sue." Yeah, what could I do? What could I do?

I got all choked up and I threw down my gun, called him pa and he called me a son, and I came away with a different point of view and I think about him now and then. Every time I tried, every time I win and if I ever have a son I think I am gonna name him Bill or George - anything but Sue

The poem "A Boy Named Sue" by Shel Silverstein tells the story of a boy who was given a girls' name by his father and spends his life in humiliation. Shel Silverstein was inspired by his friend, Jean Shepherd, who was often mocked for his feminine sounding name. The main theme of the poem is revenge as Sue swore "I'd kill that man that gave me that awful name." This poem displays the mental effects of constant ridicule and jest. Sue becomes so angry that he says he wants to kill his father, but he is unable to do so after hearing his father say, "I wouldn't blame you if you do." A life lesson is also being taught that overcoming obstacles gives a person perserverence to finish a task and toughness to be able to handle the pressure of such a task. In the end Sue seems to respect his father's mentality, but still disagrees and thinks you should name a boy "Bill or George - anything but Sue."

<span style="COLOR: rgb(10,43,240)"> ** ———— ²²²²²²²²²² ————  **

** [|American Pie]<span style="COLOR: rgb(239,37,37)"> ** <span style="COLOR: rgb(239,37,37)">By Don McLean

A long, long time ago... I can still remember How that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And, maybe, they'd be happy for a while.

But february made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver. Bad news on the doorstep; I couldn't take one more step.

I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride, But something touched me deep inside The day the music died.

So bye-bye, miss american pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singin', "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die."

Did you write the book of love, And do you have faith in God above, If the Bible tells you so? Do you believe in rock 'n roll, Can music save your mortal soul, And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

Well, I know that you're in love with him `cause I saw you dancin' in the gym. You both kicked off your shoes. Man, I dig those rhythm and blues. <span style="COLOR: rgb(250,250,250)"><span style="DISPLAY: block; COLOR: rgb(234,46,46); FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="COLOR: rgb(245,245,245)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(226,24,24)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(232,23,23)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(19,31,231)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(228,7,23)">I <span style="COLOR: rgb(225,14,24)"><span style="COLOR: rgb(228,7,23)"> was a lonely teenage broncin' buck With a pink carnation and a pickup truck, But I knew I was out of luck The day the music died. I started singin', "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye And singin', "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die."

Now for ten years we've been on our own And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone, But that's not how it used to be. When the jester sang for the king and queen, In a coat he borrowed from james dean And a voice that came from you and me,

Oh, and while the king was looking down, The jester stole his thorny crown. The courtroom was adjourned; No verdict was returned. And while lenin read a book of marx, The quartet practiced in the park, And we sang dirges in the dark The day the music died.

We were singing, "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye And singin', "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die."

Helter skelter in a summer swelter. The birds flew off with a fallout shelter, Eight miles high and falling fast. It landed foul on the grass. The players tried for a forward pass, With the jester on the sidelines in a cast.

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume While the sergeants played a marching tune. We all got up to dance, Oh, but we never got the chance! `cause the players tried to take the field; The marching band refused to yield. Do you recall what was revealed The day the music died?

We started singing, "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye And singin', "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die."

Oh, and there we were all in one place, A generation lost in space With no time left to start again. So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick! Jack flash sat on a candlestick Cause fire is the devil's only friend. <span style="COLOR: rgb(245,245,245)"> <span style="COLOR: rgb(25,34,215); FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">Oh, and as I watched him on the stage My hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell Could break that satan's spell. And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite, I saw satan laughing with delight The day the music died

<span style="COLOR: rgb(255,6,0)">He was singing, "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye And singin', "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die." <span style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,26)">I met a girl who sang the blues And I asked her for some happy news, But she just smiled and turned away. I went down to the sacred store Where I'd heard the music years before, But the man there said the music wouldn't play.

And in the streets: the children screamed, The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed. But not a word was spoken; The church bells all were broken. And the three men I admire most: The father, son, and the holy ghost, They caught the last train for the coast The day the music died.

And they were singing, "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singin', "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die."

They were singing, "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singin', "this'll be the day that I die." Don McLean wrote this song about the 1950's and 60's. Although Don McLean said, "I have never analyzed the lyrics, they're beyond analysis, they're poetry," almost every line in the song appears to be a metaphor for an event or object in American culture. When the album was released it was dedicated to Buddy Holly, a rock and roll legend, who died in a plane crash. With this information it can be [|inferred] that "The Day the Music Died" was the day when Buddy Holly was killed. The "Lonely teenage broncin' buck" may be a metaphor for McLean's carefree childhood. The pink carnation could be a girlfriend or it could symbolize happiness. Miss American Pie could be many things, but is most likely a famous woman who died during the 50's and 60's, such as Maryln Monroe. Helter Skelter were the words Charles Manson, an infamous murderer of the 60's, wrote on a wall in the building in which he commited murder. McLean's reference to "8 miles high and falling fast, it landing foul on the grass" most likely refers to Soyuz 1, a Soviet spacecraft that missed its landing zone and crashed in a field in Russia. "Lenin reading a book on Marx" is a reference to communism and the constant threat of the Soviet Union. With the communist threat came also the threat of nuclear war, made clear by the line, "the birds flew off to a fallout shelter." The generation lost in space could be the people who were obsessed about exploring space, or it could be the soliders who died fighting in Vietnam. McClean made sorrow and depression felt in the lyrics, "lovers cried and poets dreamed/not a word was spoken/the church bells were all broken." The song also talks about religion and possibly makes a reference to Vatican II when McLean says, "Would you have faith in God above if the Bible tells you so?"

American Pie is one of the most famous songs of the Baby-Boomer generation. The idea of telling the events of an era in song has been copied by many artists since Don McLean, including Billy Joel and REM. The title of the song has even been used for a series of movies. These uses show how important this song is to American culture. <span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: center">**<span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-SIZE: 130%; COLOR: rgb(255,35,0); TEXT-ALIGN: center">Sources **[|www.mayaangelou.com] http://www.missamericanpie.co.uk/interpret.html http://www.americanpie.com/americanpie.asp Stolley, Richard B. __Life: Our Century in Pictures for Young People__. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1999.