Children often understand the unfairness and harshness of things better than adults think they do.

Reminds me a lot of "The Dispossessed," here and is thus a little hard for me to understand. I am reading this as if Le Guin is saying like, allow there to be pleasure, but not obsessive or prideful pleasure that comes from a place of ingenuity.

Interesting to note that prior to this, despite wonderful colors and scenes being described, there are no words to indicate happiness or joy and cheer, only descriptions that made us assume joy and cheer. However, I will mention that the word "merry," is used.

Contrasted from the 11 year old who had barely lived on Earth, versus the 85 year old woman who had lived on the Earth longer than many have. Someone is saying "poor thing," for the woman, that she never hurt anyone, but what about the 11 year old boy who literally never did hurt anyone? Where was the "poor thing," for him when the man who killed him was set free after only 13 years for taking a life that hadn't been given a chance to find and fulfill his purpose?

Although harsh, brutal, and unjustified, these words are demonstrating the way in which society will beat her down, turn her into what they paint her to be unless she learns to harness her power. In the last line, it sort of brings this all to halt because you realize, or at least I did, that the author is only reacting the way in which she has been painted to. I mean the last line is literally someone saying "What beasts [THEY] are." The racism is always present regardless of what the situation it is to occur.

In saying "they convinced me," this woman is described as being brain washed and convinced into allowing her power of voice to say that she was convinced justice had been served. In her being so passive about the situation, it would seem she forgot about her "womb," her ability to be a mother, and she aided in a problem that has been attacking the lives of young Black people for what seems like forever.

Making power out of "hatred and destruction" is what turns the world upside down. When putting these words into visual context, I always see the author as a person wallowing in a place with her literal dying son, crying for his survival, but amazed at the lack of decades and centuries worth of oppression baring down on her back in this "desert."

I am always stunned by the raw and disturbing image written here because of what is implies about the author's experiences, where she has been, where she is in this moment, etc. This is someone you want to hear, whose words you need to listen to

I LOVE THIS POEM, PSYCHED IT WAS INCLUDED THIS WEEK! Okay, back to annotations lol

I love the way the title ties into the poem this way. "How to Fight," sounds aggresive and is misleading because it makes you feel like you're going to learn how to actually, physically fight. But then you get to the end and figure out that this author learned how to fight by learning and building up her language so that no one could ever make her an "outline," as in no one could ever tell her or other who she is, only she could do that.

THIS. This is the destination of this poem. We have all joked at one point that we didn't "ask to be born." But we were born. So like Smith, our parents have to sell us the world in order to keep our interest in it because if they told us how they really felt about it, we may not be so keen on putting the effort to go out into the world. The ultimate goal here is to tell kids (which represent the future) that they can make the world beautiful, they just have to fix it up. Although idealistic, because it is also very realistic, I like the meaning of "Good Bones."

(couldn't highlight smaller portions for some reason so I am going to put a few annotations here) "Life is short, and I've...keep from my children." The author seems to clearly admit that she's made her fair share of mistakes that she wouldn't take back but she wouldn't pass forward either to her children.

"The world is at least...from my children." As the poem continues, it seems like the author wants to hide the bad from her children so that they go into the world more positively than she sees it at the moment in time she is writing this.

"For every loved child, a child broken, bagged, sunk in a lake." For every good thing, there is one bad thing. It is important to note that while there is bad, there is also good, and vise versa.

Implying that to be older possibly means to be sturdier, or strong enough to survive when incomplete.

When your attention is diverted, you forget to take a look at the things changing, you forget to inspect things around you happening. When the author says before this section "it helps to be between wars," it amplifies the the meaning highlighted. This sort of reminds me of people who watch the news and allow themselves to become so involved in what is happening on the screen that they forget to look at the world beyond it.

I may or may not be reading this wrong but the way I see these two lines at the end, I see it like the hands of the dead oppressors coming up from the ground to silence the words and mouths of those who would say otherwise about what occurred on the grounds marked by the historical marker.

At first, I was unsure of what this poem was about, where it was really going. Despite my confusion, I really like the way Da handles the topic of passiveness on the part of those who do the oppressing. This is where you see the importance of teaching children to avoid using passive language so as they get older, they learn a lesson in taking responsibility and accountability in their own actions. This is really where the poem connected for me.

I think that this is such an important ending to this poem because of what it implies. America was supposed to stand for revolution in itself, being different from the rest, and succumbing to things we don't find right (although if I remember correctly, this revolt came about because certain people were upset that certain other people were the only ones to capitalize off slave trading... anyway). And yet there are so many aspects of America in which freedom comes with conditions and limits, all of which perpetuate the standing system that is in place. To be different is as Xavier says, "trademarks of a pretentious ass." And yet, even in the bad there is good. "We still live in an America where America still lives in us," could be bad in that all of the injustices America has committed and allowed itself to continue to commit still affect so many of us on deep, psychological levels. But it could also be good in that the idea of America, the idea of freedom and unity still lives in all of us as well, it is where we find hope. I really like this line for some many reasons, obviously.

And as per usual, this last line highlights the biggest problem, and crime to exist against minorities in the United States, that being that no matter what the case is, if you're a victim of the "authority," suddenly no one is responsible for your person or body.

Being scrutinized and analyzed for the attitude that comes with being falsely accused, and chosen off a bias. How can you blame someone for being pissed off when you are wrongfully detaining them?

This line is so important to discuss because what is essentially being said is, "In order to do our job, you have to stop living." All I have to say is that, in my head, I see Botham Jean sitting on his couch watching TV, and Amber Guyger the moment she entered his home.

This stanza causes me to reflect on the world today, and our country at different points in time. This country was built off the backs of slaves and indigenous peoples, and their blood is what nourished the land, and caused it to flourish. As time has passed, this has not really changed, but I do feel that as more people become aware through the generations, this country's reckoning is coming quick and soon, and the erasure of the damages caused will soon be called to the stage.

In relation to the previous stanza, the difference here is that the caged bird's environment is described as a cage, but from the lines "his bars of rage," we can clearly tell that this cage is metaphorical. It is a state of mind, and this bird is not free; the good news is, the caged bird is opening "his throat to sing," so all hope is not lost, this bird wants to be free.

What I love about this stanza is the personification in nature, which ultimately brings together this notion of the free and caged birds existing in their environments which are just as alive as they are, and therefore reflect or rather emanate the same sorts of vibes and feelings respective to each bird.

I think this poem excellently delivers a message of survival by using the Armadillo to deliver it. These illegal fire balloons are beautiful in theory but in reality, they appear to cause such harm and loss.

I enjoy this lack of naming, and lack of specific roles to this family, and even the lack of relationships despite knowing otherwise it is a family. I feel that it perfectly resonates with Bishop's longing for a place to fit in, whether it be with a family or elsewhere, hence the "Somebody loves us all." I also thought it was interesting that in the recording, people laughed at the lines of the plant possibly being oiled because I didn't necessarily see the humor in the poem or just those lines until it happened.

Color doesn't seem to be abundant in this poem, and so the fact that these comic books are the only source of "certain" color could suggest that this family possibly doesn't have much, the kids are older, and these comic books are the only source of enjoyment around

If it isn't already clear, the Rossters and Hens are metaphors for men and women, and it seems to be that Bishop is openly asking Roosters (men) why they inconvenience and intrude on the lives of the Hens (women), they already get to have multiple wives, what makes them more qualified to deliver orders, etc. referring back to Holly's point of considering the role of women in this poem

It seems as though Millay is working through the stages of love here, wrestling with loving and having lost love, and trying to rationalize one's feelings and actions

I think this title is very fitting for this poem, as Renascence means revival of something that's been dead a long time I believe. It appears to be about the revival of one's body and soul, the message being delivered excellent.

Seemingly regrets wanting to die. Describes rain so descriptively and joyously that I can feel she wants out of death.

Descriptively describing pain, and a sort of depression

What I enjoy most so far about this poem is that is reader like a fable, and sort of nursery rhyme, making it not only more enjoyable to read out loud, but also memorable

Departure from reality into her imagination and thoughts, or the departure she seems to discuss wanting throughout the poem.

I think this poem was inside of Millay's personal thoughts, the ending being her pull back into reality. I enjoy this idea that she was so drawn to other places and activities in her mind, as well as her walking until she can't anymore. She is expressing a need to stay on the move, to never settle,

Plentiful were the silly thing to gain the interest of her lover, they saw right through her soul

I think that she is saying she should have allowed herself to live and love in the moment, because she knows she could have loved this person.

In other words, life will continue on

Beautifully tragic is the phrase that comes to mind reading this. To write of someone who dreamed of what appears to be hinted at, death, is hard, and most certainly doesn't seem easy on the heart, but Bogan writes so beautifully simple here, it is hard to not be infatuated by it.

I think the repetitiousness of this line and its variations is supposed to represent getting to know this love interest she speaks of, and memorizing certain details of them, which is why she keeps saying "by heart."

I love this line in particularly because it insists that all music is suffered to fit within a lyrical rhythm, and pattern, implying that rhythm and pattern as a cage, however, these "black chords upon a dulling page," aren't meant to fit within these patterns of the time.

The poem is beautifully descriptive, but Wharton seems to have a negative view of the sunset, or rather, not negative but she overall describes it in terms of a sort of battle, with battle terminology, such as "advancing mob," "Valkyrie," and "Dead to all shames, forgotten of all glories."

I admire her descriptiveness when it comes to imagery, thinking of a sunset as "lagooned in gold," is not only beautiful, but it is lyrical, making it that much more magical

The idea that even after she is gone, the things she loved most will carry on her life as if she never left is so beautifully tragic

Beautiful poem, as a first time reader of it I know that there is so much to break down and much more to search for clues in, however I feel I received the main message of the poem, that being that patterns are best broken.

The more I read this poem, the more I find that Lowell appears to be critisizing patterns, and has a favor for difference. It would seem that patterns are associated with negative things the more this goes on

She doesn't seem to have very fond views of the current fashion she is wearing, and although she mentions a bunch of materials and colors associated with being soft, she specifically writes "Not a softness anywhere about me," leading me to wonder whether or not she is calling out her differences between her and the woman of societal standards of the time.

Alluding back to Venus, and how her heart is completely at a whim for the woman she is speaking to/of

Proposing whether or not words from the genuine heart are worth more than materials, such as these "painted rosebuds"

The imagery Lowell uses in this poem opts for a beautiful Autumn day not able to be enjoyed because of the war at hand, thus she is metaphorically packing it away in her mind to enjoy at a time when she has time to revel in it.

Seems to be acknowledging her distaste for destroying things even for something as "beautiful" as a fire. The metaphor being that death in no shade of light is ever beautiful.

The first twist, a clear indication of a dream

This poem was beautiful in a young love kind of way. The first meeting and coming together, the iconic "love at first sight," was an excellent beginning, and the lost love at the end, made it so sweetly beautiful. My personal favorite lines are "There is no comfort here. No peace is left./ Now you are gone I find the scratch is mortal," because it these lines seem so simple, but they hold so much emotion and truth to them to those who have been in and lost love. May Sarton has an excellent way of touching on reality and turning it into a story for everyone to relate to.

One of my favorite poems I've read by Sarton. My favorite lines from the poem are "I sit here, open to psychic changes,/ Living myself as if I were a land," because as the poem comes together, it reminds me of people who always say they're a slave to their work, and they're constantly dreaming and day dreaming about the undiscovered world they live in. She says she open to psychic changes, meaning she is open to her pattern of thought being altered, then she claims she is living as a land, suggesting she is living larger than life itself. These are the emotions and feelings a writer experiences when they create entire new worlds in poems and stories. For writers and anyone in general who has dabbled in all sorts of creative poetry, this was a very relatable piece.

"Turning towards us in our self-made desolation, May teach us all through suffering so much What Might have been learned through imagination"

What I loved about these last three lines is that they bring the poem together and to a close, sort of as a warning sign. This poem seemed to be a cause and effect sort of thing, telling how things used to be so nice, people used to love, appreciate, and care, and now due to selfishness there are wars and battles to fight because people had rather act wrong than take a second to think about how their selfishness could have effected the rest of the world.

Suggesting that happiness isn't something to behold, it's a source of life that continues to grow.

The sudden ending of the poem here is similar to what I would assume death is like, when the mind just stops thinking, and everything is at an end.

Could Dickinson be implying that she did not see Paradise or Heaven? She could have been possibly written this in a time of her life where she felt hopeless and full of despair, a reason for not being able to see the lights of Heaven.

Such strong emotions Dickinson is feeling and expressing

March is clearly a breath of fresh air and a relief for the speaker of the poem, "trifles look so trivial," Dickinson's way of expressing pure joy and happiness at the arrival of March, thus being determined to enjoy it.

The longing for spring after a dreadful winter

Dickinson is getting at the fact that the world is driven and continued on by men, and although claiming this to be a peaceful thought one can keep at the end of their days, frames it as a dig. The poem in its entirety appears to be about the cycle of life, how it continues on even after you're six-feet under, and no matter what, men will keep it going. It's holds a bit of soft sarcasm

Comforting, reminiscent of a summer love, and summer emotions in general. Each season brings different feelings and attitudes, this has a loving touch.

Liberty is full of multiple meanings and interpretations here

At the same time, I like and dislike the idea of "giving" to be a womanly trait discussed and personified within this poem because on one end, it love the acknowledgement that a trait such as this is womanly because it says a lot about our character, but on another end, I wish everyone would learn to be more giving. Maybe that's too deep of a thought, however, it is what I took of giving at first.

The "curse's," effects finally being shown. Could be a coincidence, but clearly the older women are thinking it's much more than that.

Her misfortunes have hardened her. This line emphasizes the possible emotions she's been harboring within her, emotions possibly not commonly seen in women, which is why they appear to be creepy.

Jewett contrasting innocence and maturity again as she often does within her stories. In a sense, this helps readers connect with the characters because the line between innocence and maturity is so thin, we often always find ourselves looking back and looking forward, sort of how Hannah is doing here.

Although she's sacrificing her truth to avoid her husband's tantrums, the previous sentence states that she knows his temperament well enough that she alter her statements. This may be strategic on her part, rather than simply sacrificing her freedom of speech.

I am not sure if I could personally be as close to a family member again after this ordeal, mistake or not. Dick Tyler lost a good portion of his life and the love of his life, all over a misunderstanding. It seems cruel and very harsh

The old-as-time stereotype that the quiet ones are the ones you have to worry about... I wonder if that's true in this case.

I love that Jewett has written Georgie's aunt, and her main character to not be fragile and follow the usual stereotype given to women of this time period. It is very telling of her background and thoughts as a feminist writer.

A small creature, and a bold statement to describe Georgie, another possible hint.

She seems as though she will mention the fact that he's "little" quite often throughout the story, this could be a possible hint and foreshadowing to what may come to happen to him as the story progresses.