Poem #25: "Maturity" by Philip Larkin

Maturity

I find this poem interesting in its take on growing old.  I like the simple use of language to describe the slow, painful degeneration of aging.  I overall enjoyed the poem due to its short but sweet approach.

Poem #24: "To My Wife" by Philip Larkin

To My Wife

Though this poem has a strong sense of negativity, I still found it to be enjoyable and of merit.  It is simple, but can adequately present Larkin's feelings.  He does a good job presenting the sense of disappointment and regret concerning his present relationship with his wife.

Poem #23: "The Trees" by Philip Larkin

The Trees

I find how this poem alludes to a cycle of life to be very interesting.  Larkin views the birth and death of living things to simply be a cycle.  When things die, it only means that something else will be reborn and vice-versa.

Poem #22: "Bright Star" by John Keats

Bright Star

This is yet another poem that makes great use of descriptive language.  It has a palpable sense of idealism and optimism as the Keats uses figurative language.  It is overall a very enjoyable poem that can elicit many strong emotions.

Poem #21: "On My First Son" by Ben Jonson

On My First Son

This is a sad poem by Jonson that grieves the death of his son.  He states that instead of lamenting his son's fate, he should envy it as an escape from the troubles of the world.  I believe this to be a very heartfelt piece that expresses his many emotions concerning this situation.

Poem #20: "Dreams" by Langston Hughes

Dreams

In this poem, Hughes stresses the importance of having dreams in life.  Without having goals or something to aspire to, he states that life is meaningless and of little consequence.  It is what we make of it that can make it truly special.

Poem #19: "Democracy" by Langston Hughes

Democracy

I found myself agreeing with many of the points Hughes made in this poem.  He speaks of the slow bureaucratic process that is often associated with democracy and brings any legislation to a grinding halt.  Instead of waiting for change and equality to come tomorrow, he needs it today.

Poem #18: "Cross" by Langston Hughes

Cross

This poems elicits many strong emotions concerning being a person of mixed-race.  Hughes demonstrates uncertainty about his future as he is neither white like his father nor black like his mother.  This is a very interesting point about the identity crisis that many people of mixed-races face.

Poem #17: "Artillery" by George Herbert

Artillery

This piece by George Herbert is very interesting and makes use of much imagery.  In can be difficult to understand the more archaic english and therefore the significance of this poem largely escapes me.  However, I do understand there is meant to be great meaning behind it.

Poem #16: "A Wreath" by George Herbert

A Wreath

This is another interesting poem that makes great use of symbolism.  Herbert uses a wreath to symbolize purity and simplicity in a corrupt and complicated world.  He praises and values these characteristics hoping to embody them in his own life.

Poem #15: "Equinox" by Joy Harjo

Equinox

I find it interesting how in this poem Harjo describes herself as a harbinger of death and destruction.  She realizes her fault in this matter at states that she is willing to accept the consequences of her actions.  I also enjoyed its contemporary style with a relatively straight forward message as opposed to the hidden ones of older poems.

Poem #14: "Ghost House" by Robert Frost

Ghost House

It is interesting how the title of this poem can lead own to believe that it is of a horror theme, when instead it describes sorrow.  There was much reflection of the past in this poem and a sense of longing for that time that is long gone.  The description of the environment greatly helps add to the tone.

Poem #13: "The Vantage Point" by Robert Frost

The Vantage Point

I loved the description Frost used when writing this poem.  He used descriptive imagery that really puts the reader in the location that he describes.  I enjoyed his use of sight and smell in this poem.

Poem #12: "Stars" by Robert Frost

Stars

When reading this poem, I could feel a sense of wonder Frost must have had when looking at the stars.  He describes them beautifully and passionately.  I could feel his emotions when I looked up into the night sky and saw the stars as he did.

Poem #11: "Revelation" by Robert Frost

Revelation

This poem gives an interesting take on masking one's intentions or location.  Frost makes the assertion that all must be revealed at the end, whether it may be the simple secret of a child or the location of God.  He considers it a pity that direct and literal speech must be used to inspire others instead of more arcane and mysterious ones.

Poem #10: "Morning at the Window" by T.S. Eliot

Morning at the Window

My initial reaction to the poem's title led me to believe that it would be a relatively joyful poem, I was woefully mistaken.  There is instead a very solemn and morbid feel to this piece.  It describes the sadness and almost despair felt by housemaids at they stand in the dark fog.

Poem #9: "Heat" by Hilda Doolittle

Heat

This is an interesting short poem concerning the natural force that is heat.  Heat is painted in a negative light in this poem, as Doolittle calls upon the wind to "cut it apart."  I believe in this instance, heat represents the adversity in the world.

Poem #8: "Wiring Home" by Rita Dove

Wiring Home

This is an interesting poem that is difficult to comprehend at first glance.  Initial it appears to make little sense and seems to have nothing to do with the title.  To me, this poem represents persevering on in order to see the "window of canaries bright as a thousand golden narcissi" (Rove) or a favorable ending.

Poem #7: "If I Should Die" by Emily Dickinson

If I Should Die

I very much enjoyed the imagery presented in this poem.  I find it intriguing that the tone of the poem remains largely positive and optimistic despite the morbid nature of its theme.  It paints a very positive view on death and urges those who remain to continuing living despite the loss.

Poem #6: "Valentine" by Lorna Dee Cervantes

Valentine

I found this poem to be very enjoyable with it's descriptive language.  The author takes a unique and interesting approach in this poem.  The use of personification adds an important element to it.

Poem #5: "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron

She Walks in Beauty

I find Byron's description of this unknown lady to be quite descriptive.  The way he describes her makes her seem perfect and of inhuman beauty.  I found this to be a very enjoyable poem.

Poem #4: "In a Gondola" by Robert Browning

In a Gondola

I found the use of figurative language in this poem to be very interesting.  It helps paint a descriptive picture of the emotions that the author feels in this situation.  In a few memorable words, Browning leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Poem #3: "The Good Man" by Gwendolyn Brooks

The Good Man

I believe that this poem makes a very interesting point.  The description of our world and all its "immorality" is vividly and quite accurately described.  I personally believe that such people are few and hard to come by, but I have great respect for those who like this and will "repair a ripped, revolted land" (Brooks).

Poem #2: "A Letter to Her Husband" by Anne Bradstreet

A Letter to Her Husband

This is an interesting poem that describes the author's love for her husband.  She describes how the two of them are not separate individuals, but one being.  At the end, it's interesting how she is at peace with the fact that one day the two of them will be separated by death.

Poem #1: "The Unknown Citizen" by W. H. Auden

The Unknown Citizen

I feel that this poem is an interesting take on the lives of the anonymous men and women who protect America.  I believe that it idealizes them by stating how "normal" they are in pretty much every way and how they don't complain about their lives.  I think that in reality, their lives are not as peaceful and calm as this idealized vision of them suggests.  On the inside, I believe that there is a lot of angst that the world never really sees.