Aries: Poem Analysis

“’ But this is merely a negative definition of the value of education’” (23-24). Mark Halliday wrote “The Value of Education” from a first person standpoint. The introduction and the use of “I” demonstrates the poem is about the speaker. Likewise, the speaker uses imagery, self-recognition, and his own personal thoughts throughout the poem. He goes on throughout the poem stating external confrontations he is not doing because he is in the library receiving an education and reading books. With this in mind, the speaker goes on to convey images in your head to show a realization of things he could be doing if he were not in the library getting an education.

Lorna Dee Cervantes' poem, “Poema para los Californios Muertos” (“Poem for the Dead Californios”), is a commentary on what happened to the original inhabitants of California when California was still Mexico, and an address to the speaker's dead ancestors. Utilizing a unique dynamic, consistently alternating between Spanish and English, Cervantes accurately represents the fear, hatred, and humility experienced by the “Californios” through rhythm, arrangement, tone, and most importantly, through use of language.

During the lovemaking process, your Virgo partner is a kind, thoughtful man who simply wants to please you.

Up in the twinkling night sky of the cosmos, there is a constellation of a Nemean Lion that I wholeheartedly relate to. In astrology, the fifth zodiac sign, Leo, originates from this constellation. As a July 27 baby, I am a Leo. During my youth while buried under blankets, I fervently read horoscopes and zodiac personality descriptions in magazines. On a similar note, many children struggle to decipher their own identity and exploring my zodiac sign was a tremendously helped me. Learning about my zodiac sign was a strange comfort, it electrified me that I was the paradigm of a Leo. In between the words of astrology guidebooks, the answers to the “why” and “what” for my own idiosyncrasies were revealed. Those revelations radiate through my characteristics as a proud fiery zodiac sign. From my mannerisms to my physique, the Leo archetype illustrates who I am.

Take a minute to imagine “Men looking like they had been/attacked repeatedly by a succession /of wild animals,” “never/ ending blasted field of corpses,” and “throats half gone, /eyes bleeding, raw meat heaped/ in piles.” These are the vividly, grotesque images Edward Mayes describes to readers in his poem, “University of Iowa Hospital, 1976.” Before even reading the poem, the title gave me a preconceived idea of what the poem might be about. “University of Iowa Hospital, 1976” describes what an extreme version of what I expected the poem to be about. The images I

“Something More” by Tracey Moffatt is a formal and stylistic experimentation photography and her work draws on her own childhood memories, popular culture, as well as the history seen in still cinema, art and photography. Apparent in her works are themes such as childhood cruelties in suburban life, the mutiny of stereotypes and relations between white and black Australians. In her works, referencing to the artist’s own life and experiences, Tracey Moffatt draws on her Aboriginal background as a foster child growing up in Brisbane in a foster family in the sixties, avidly consuming images from magazines, films and television.

The rhyme and pattern is AAA,BBB. It is supposed to be a romantic poem. It wants humans to be in touch with their souls and natural beauty. The poem wants you to appreciate how nice nature is.

Libra - the Libra Sign is represented by scales, which Egyptians believed were used to weigh the souls of the dead. However, in Greek Mythology, Libra actually represented the golden chariot of Pluto (Hades). Pluto was the brother of Zeus and ruler of the underworld. One day he spotted a beautiful girl named Persephone, while riding into the Upper World with his golden chariot, which

*Remembering to Shine* Mercury retrograde now dips into Leo. Out of the land of practical considerations (Virgo), the messenger

This character’s astrological sign is a cancer, as he is very emotional and sensitive which is why it can be hard to get to know him. Many other aspects of his personality, matches up to the character traits described about cancers. Cancers are typically unaware of their own strength, and can endanger their own wellbeing when fighting for someone else’s cause. “The Crab knows where they're going, but this is often in a wrong direction, at least until they learn their lessons and start relying solely on themselves.”

To me this is a very direct poem. Words are like axes, powerful and sharp, loud, emitting echoes, everyone can hear, everyone can see their effect. They hurt. They cut into the tree which may symbolize a person, the sap which wells being tears. The tears are heavy like a rock and disturb the calm waters which try to return to normality,

Like weeds, it never just goes away, it kills. I cannot change your mind nor can I guarantee when we reach that point that I will see Aries as an enemy, per se. I would die for this damnable pack, but love twists you, Balder."

The zodiac is a band of the sky along which the Sun, the Moon, and most of the planets move. It is divided into twelve parts, with each named for a nearby constellation. The twelve zodiac or astrological signs are associated with four essential elements, which are used to describe a person 's place in the world. Those elements are air, water, earth, and fire. All of these must co-exist peacefully and work together in sync in order to achieve balance in life. The twelve zodiac signs are assigned to certain dates and houses that portray and describe the characteristics and personality of an individual.

The Virgo’s reserved nature and insistence of good taste, would get more pleasure from a quite restaurant with soft music playing in the background, than from a rock and roll concert. They would prefer a place where the two of you can talk. You’ll probably find the Virgo to be very interesting and be able to discuss almost anything with them. Virgo’s are careful planners and are constantly seeking personal achievement and financial security. They won’t put up with frivolous spending habits and won’t jump into a serious relationship without looking ahead first. Most likely they are seeking a partner with practical ambitions exactly like themselves. Once the Virgo has found someone worthy to share their life with, they will always be loyal and provide plenty of happiness. This responsible, sensitive, and intellectual person takes love very seriously. Although they may appear aloof, and distant at times, they are very sensual and warm people. If you win them over, you will be more than rewarded with a prosperous and memorable life with them.

Some of the poems and essays I have read during this class were relatable to me. Being away from college, I have struggled with not being at home. I have become a different person when I am at school, but when I am home, I feel like I am my normal self again. Some of these authors of the poems and essays that I have read throughout this class has struggled with being somewhere where they don’t belong and that they are someone else when they are not home. Unlike the other poems and essays we have read throughout the course. I enjoyed reading the ones about “home” because I actually understood what they are going through and that I can relate. Some of these poems and essays include “Going Home” by Maurice Kenny, Postcard from Kashmir”, by Agha Shahid Ali, “Returning” by Elias Miguel Munoz and “Hometown” by Luis Cabalquinto. All of these poems deal with duality.