Poetry Journal #1

Due date: February 2, 2006

Title: Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle
Style: Personal Response

S: An intellectual
O: The cycle of nature and life
A: People confused about how life and nature operates on earth
P: To suggest that the cycle of nature has never and will never end
S: A higher being’s way of controlling the circle of life
Tone: Accepting of the fact that only a higher being has control over life

In the poem “Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle,” John G. Neihardt breaks up the poem into four stanzas—each five lined stanza is followed by a two lined stanza. In the five line stanzas, the Neihardt makes detailed references to aspects of nature that are related to one another; whereas, in the smaller stanzas, he makes less detailed references to specific subjects. Also, Neihardt chose to capitalize “Power” in the poem. In so doing, he implies the Power has a higher placement on the hierarchy of life, suggesting that Power is what controls nature. Moreover, Neihardt suggests that there is a higher being that has made life a cycle of experiences that continue to reoccur so long as nature thrives. So, as long as nature lives, the experiences every aspect of nature witnesses will continue to be witnessed by generations to come.

The message portrayed through this poem is recognizable today and throughout history. As people grow and have children and teach their children the way of life as taught to them, mankind develops norms, goals, lifestyles that carry on from generation to generation. In addition, cycles of life are evident in politics. For example, when a decision is made by the President, the effects of that decision are brought up as the future presidents come into office. All that happens throughout life was originated from another past aspect of the life of nature. And it is because of a being far more superior than nature itself that nature takes place in this fashion.

Title: Ode to My Socks
Style: Comparative Critic

S: An unwealthy boy
O: Owning handmade clothing
A: People who take what they own for granted because they do not see its value
P: To show that even though something may be considered unvaluable, its worth is shown by how durable it is when necessary
S: Socks
Tone: Accepting

In the poem “Ode to My Socks” Pablo Neruda outlines the thoughts and emotions he experienced when he was given a pair of socks. In terms of the structure of the poem, his lines are short, containing no more than 5-7 lines. Neruda also uses this structure in some of his other poems, most commonly odes. For example, his poem entitled “Ode to the Book (II)” takes on the exact same form, with some lines having five words and some lines having one word. Neruda was also very specific when it came to what people and objects he wanted to use to shape them meaning of the poem, even if the subjects had no noticeable relationship with each other. For example: In the first stanza, Neruda refers to threads of twilight, goatskin, fish, blackbirds and cannons to describe the impression the socks left on his feet. This style of diction is also demonstrated in “Ode to the Book (II),” as Neruda uses many different words that do not directly relate to the object or one another to describe the uniqueness of a book.

By making the lines so short, Neruda is forcing the reader to view his poem in a way that they are having to look at every word’s connection with the object distinctly. Instead of trying to understand Neruda’s interpretation of the uniqueness of books and socks through long and descriptive phrases, the short lines allow the reader to come up with their own thoughtful scenery with words like “heavenly” (socks poem) and “oceanic” (book poem) as their guide.