Title- The title 'The Great Bird of Love' seems very peaceful and majestic. It made me want to read this poem.

Paraphase- Paul Zimmer wants to become a bird that is a sign of good and peace. He wants to not be harmful and create a picture of calmness

Connotation - There is a lot of imagery that makes the poem even more majestic. The poem was very vivid and alive to me because of the descriptions.

Attitude - Zimmer wants to be a sign of peace and a beautiful bird with love. This poem made me feel very peaceful and relieved.

Shifts - There are no shifts in the poem. The whole has the same peaceful tone.

Theme - The theme is that Zimmer wants to be harmless and a good image for the people.

The Great Bird of Love
I want to become a great night bird
Called the Zimmer, grow intricate gears
And tendons, brace my wings on updrafts,
Roll them down with a motion
That lifts me slowly into the stars
To fly above the troubles of the land.
When I soar the moon will shine past
My shoulder and slide through
Streams like a luminous fish.
I want my cry to be huge and melancholy,
The undefiled movement of my wings
To fold and unfold on rising gloom.

People will see my silhouette from
Their windows and be comforted,
Knowing that, though oppressed,
They are cherished and watched over,
Can turn to kiss their children,
Tuck them into their beds and say:

Sleep tight.
No harm tonight
In starry skies
The Zimmer flies.

T-title: the title of this poem is I, Too Sing America. This shows that it is about someone who sometimes feels that people don't think he is part of America.

P-paraphrase: This poem is about an African American ahving discrimination. He is told to eat in the kitchen to hide him from guests. But he overcomes this and eats with the other people.

C-connotation: There are two forms of I, ___America. This implies that he is proud to be an American and is Patriotic. It also shows that he is confident.

A-attitude: The attitude in this poem is serious. He is representing a very serious cause in this poem.

poet describes himself as a weak person.

I, Too Sing America

I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes
I, too, sing America.I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow strong.Tomorrow,I'll be at the tableWhen company comes.Nobody'll dareSay to me,"Eat in the kitchen,"Then.Besides, They'll see how beautiful I amAnd be ashamed--I, too, am America

Favorite Poem

The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt by Shel Silverstein
Knock knock!
Who's there?
Me!
Me who?

That's right!
What's right?
Meehoo!
That's what I want to know!

What's what you want to know?
Me, WHO?
Yes, exactly!
Exactly what?
Yes, I have an Exactlywatt on a chain!

Exactly what on a chain?
Yes!
Yes what?
No, Exactlywatt!

That's what I want to know!
I told you - Exactlywatt!
Exactly WHAT?
Yes!
Yes what?

Yes, it's with me!
What's with you?
Exactlywatt - that's what's with me.
Me who?
Yes!

GO AWAY!

Knock knock...




I chose this poem because it begins with a knock knock joke and becomes a confusing conversation. The style of this poem is very creative and eye-catching. The title drew me in because it sounded very humorous. I have read many Shel Silverstein poems when I was a kid and I liked every single one of them. This poem however, was the one I read the most and it always appeared during past english classes. I do not find Shel Silverstein poems childish- maybe just a little- but I still like to read this poem.

Rough Draft

The Truth

1) In 1989, millions of cases of fruit were banned after a small amout of cyanide was found in just two grapes. There's 33 times more cyanide in a single cigarette than was found in two grapes.

2) Hydrogen Cyanide has been used in prison executions. It's also found in cigarette smoke.

3) In 1972, a tobacco company considered adding honey to cigarettes because teenager like sweet products.