S+Guyon

 Robert Frost  Robert Frost was born in 1874 in San Francisco, California. His father William Frost was a journalist and Democrat, and died when Frost was about eleven years old. His mother was a schoolteacher. The family lived in Lawrence, Massachusetts, with Frost's grandfather,who gave his grandson a good schooling. In 1892 Frost graduated from high school and began attending Dartmouth College. Throughout the years Frost got experience working in textile mills and also taught latin at his mother's school. In 1912 Frost sold his farm and took his wife and four young children to England. There he published his first collection of poems, A BOY'S WILL, at the age of 39. It was followed by NORTH BOSTON (1914), which gained international reputation.At the time of his death on January 29, 1963, Frost was considered a kind of unofficial poet laureate of the US.

**A Patch of Old Snow **There's a patch of old snow in a corner That I should have guessed Was a blow-away paper the rain Had brought to rest.

It is speckled with grime as if Small print overspread it, The news of a day I've forgotten-- If I ever read it. 

This poem contains a much deeper meaning that what the words lead the reader to believe. What this poem says literally is that there is a patch of old snow in a corner and a piece of old newspaper with grime on it. Also that the narrator had forgotten what the news of the day was. Once you look past the old patch of snow and the grimy newspaper you can see the deeper meaning and symbolism of the items. The snow and newspaper in the corner is a metaphor or symbol for something old and forgotten. This poem is saying that new things replace old things very quickly. Most people care about new things rather than the old, for example people care more for new cars than the old ones. People become fixed with the next big thing before it has even occurred. We have become so interested and fixated on material things that we can't appreciate the old items that enrich our lives.Another point that comes across in this poem is that yesterday’s news passes us by without making us flinch because once we have heard the news tomorrow’s news is better and more interesting. We become less interested in yesterdays news because there is something always coming up right behind it, nothing ever lasts in our society.  media type="youtube" key="Bz9JmpULP3o" height="344" width="425" I felt that this video by Brian Eno went well with both the Frost poem above and the Silverstein poem below. This video shows the changes in nature but this does not apply only to nature. Everything goes through changes. This video goes with the changes portion of the Frost poem because it starts witht the literal translation of the poem with snow yet you can look deeper into the video and see that changes happen and most of us forget about the past and the snow when they do occur. The Silverstein poem goes with this video because it shows the changes of nature which can also go along with the changes in life and growing up. The forest goes from snow and barren ground to a lush green area. Just like a child would go from a small baby with nothing and grow into an adult with responsibilities.      ** __Shel Silverstein__ ** Shel Silverstein was born in Chicago on September 25, 1930, he grew up to attain an enormous public following, but always preferred to say little about himself. Silverstein drew his first cartoons for the adult readers of Pacific Stars and Stripes when he was a G.I. in Japan and Korea in the 1950’s. While over in Korea he learned to play the guitar which would later earn him fame for writing "A Boy Named Sue" for Johnny Cash and “The Cover of the Rolling St one” for Dr. Hook. Later on in life Shel's first collection of poems "Where the Sidewalk Ends" was published in 1974 and was hailed as an instant classic. Shel died in May of 1999 but up until then he loved to travel and write songs. **

Forgotten Language ** Once I spoke the language of the flowers, Once I understood each word the caterpillar said, Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings, And shared a conversation with the housefly in my bed. Once I heard and answered all the questions of the crickets, And joined the crying of each falling dying flake of snow, Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . . How did it go? How did it go?

Most people hear the name Shel Silverstein and think of a childrens author, but in reality you get what you give from these poems. If you go into the piece thinking it is a little kids poem you are going to end with thinking that and getting no true value out of the poem. When you go into the piece with a positive attitude you get much more than a child's poem. In this piece the author is telling us about how he used to talk to objects that can’t respond such as flowers and caterpillars. The author ends the poem wondering where his power to speak to these objects has gone. When you take a closer look and open yourself to the deeper meaning you will see that the author has lost his power of imagination. He once was able to talk to animals and objects because of the great imagination he had. As he got older he realized that this relationship he once had with those creatures faded. As we get older our imagination fades and we forget about things that seemed so important to us at one point in time. There is also meaning in the words and phrases in this piece. The line that says “falling dying flake of snow” stands out because as children we are told that we are unique and special in our own way but as we get older we tend to conform to groups and stereotypes that have been placed on our society. <span style="background-color: #404040; color: #ffffff; display: block; font-size: 160%; text-align: center;"> Walt Whitman

<span style="background-color: #d4d4d4; color: #008000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Walt Whitman was born in 1819 in West Hills, Long Island. His parents were Quakers and he had eight brothers and sisters. He worked as a journalist, and a teacher to name a few. He was a part of the transition between Transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial during its time, particularly his poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene for its evident sexuality. Along with his obscene poetry his sexuality was also discussed. He was often described as homosexual or bisexual. According to Norton’s Anthology he died in 1892 in Camden and was buried in Harleigh Cemetery in the mausoleum he had helped design (2194) <span style="background-color: #d4d4d4; color: #008000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 152%; text-align: center;">

ADIEU TO A SOLIDER <span style="background-color: #d4d4d4; color: #008000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 121.6%; text-align: center;"> ADIEU, O soldier! You of the rude campaigning, (which we shared,) The rapid march, the life of the camp, The hot contention of opposing fronts--the long manoeuver, Red battles with their slaughter,--the stimulus--the strong, terrific game, Spell of all brave and manly hearts--the trains of Time through you, and like of you, all fill'd, With war, and war's expression.

Adieu, dear comrade! Your mission is fulfill'd--but I, more warlike, Myself, and this contentious soul of mine, 10 Still on our own campaigning bound, Through untried roads, with ambushes, opponents lined, Through many a sharp defeat and many a crisis--often baffled, Here marching, ever marching on, a war fight out--aye here, To fiercer, weightier battles give expression <span style="background-color: #d4d4d4; color: #008000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 112%; text-align: center;"> When one first looks at this poem they read about someone saying farewell to a fallen solider. They also read about the memories the narrator had with the solider and get a sense of sadness. The narrator also praises the solider for what he has done and accomplished in his lifetime. When I looked closer to this poem I noticed more than just a sadden yet proud theme. I think that what Whitman is trying to get across is that even though people die we should never forget them and what they did during the years they lived. When Whitman says "your mission is fulfill'd" stood out to me because it shows the emphasis on how important the person's life was. The fullfilment of a "mission" can be anything from fighting in a war to fighting a disease or just fighting life. This Also brings up the forgotten theme that I have been working with. I think that this is a tribute to someone so that no one will forget what great things he did. I think that you can go beyond just the solider and apply this to anyone. I believe that this can represent an obituary or something that tells people how great of a person you were and what your accomplished while being on earth. This poem stood out to me because I believe it is praising people for living and helping others not forget.

**<span style="background-color: #6b92ef; color: #551a8b; display: block; font-size: 220%; text-align: center;">Edgar Allen Poe ** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Edgar Allen Poe was born in 1809 to David and Elizabeth Poe in Boston Massachusetts. He experienced a rough childhood starting at the age of two when his mother died. Once he got to the age of six he began to attend school in England where he learned math, French, history, and Latin. He also attended the University of Virginia, but dropped eventually dropped out. He is known for his supernatural and Gothic writing style. He uses different types of symbols to enhance his writing and make it more than what you just read. Many people think that his writing style is that way it is because of his childhood and family life. Some say that his characters are made to represent people in his actual life. He had many famous poems and even some short stories, for example “The bells” and “Annabel Lee”. Edgar Allen Poe led a crazy life up until his death. There is still speculation as to how he died. Some say he was murdered. The only for sure fact people know about Poe’s death is that he died October 7, 1849. <span style="background-color: #6b92ef; color: #551a8b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> <span style="background-color: #6b92ef; color: #404040; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: left;"> <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Alone From childhood's hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen media type="youtube" key="0hKO59euehw" height="344" width="425" align="right" As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring. From the same source I have not taken My sorrow; I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone; And all I loved, I loved alone. Then- in my childhood, in the dawn Of a most stormy life- was drawn From every depth of good and ill The mystery which binds me still: From the torrent, or the fountain, From the red cliff of the mountain, From the sun that round me rolled In its autumn tint of gold, From the lightning in the sky As it passed me flying by, From the thunder and the storm , And the cloud that took the form (When the rest of Heaven was blue) Of a demon in my view.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">This poem is telling the reader about his childhood and how he never got the chance to love and have true feelings for people. He also tells the reader about his feelings that he may have felt as a child. This poem is a great emotional poem because of all the expressions and feelings that are spoken about. I think that Poe was trying to get out some of his repressed anger and sadness about his childhood here. This poem can go deeper in the meaning of alone because Poe truly was alone for awhile so for him to say that he was alone and sad can make others try to word how they feel when they are feeling alone and upset. At the end of this poem Poe says something about a demon in his view. To me this is Poe's way of incorporating death and evil into his poem. The demon in his view could be a number of things. It could be the thought of the loss of his parents or the alcohol problem that he supposed had. Poe also uses great imagery in this piece. Some of the wording he uses to descride how he is feeling is unusual yet it works for Poe because we know him to be a gothis writer. This poem is a darker side to loneliness and childhood, one side that most of us have never experienced or even thought about. I included this video along with the poem because I think it gives more feeling and meaning to the poem if it is heard. When listening to the readers voice one gets a deeper meaning and stronger feeling as to what Poe was feeling and thinking when he was writing this piece. It is too strong of a poem to just read though alone. <span style="background-color: #6b92ef; color: #551a8b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 145.6%;"> <span style="background-color: #060906; color: #ffffff; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; color: #ffff00; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; color: #ffff00; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 210%; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; color: #ffff00; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 160%; text-align: center;"> Emily Dickinson <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; color: #ffff00; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Emily Dickinson was born on 10th December, 1830, in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts. Her family were pillars of the local community; their house known as “The Homestead” or “Mansion” was often used as a meeting place for distinguished visitors including, Ralph Waldo Emerson. A big issue during her time was religion; Emily Dickinson’s descendants can be traced back to early puritan settlers. Emily had a problem with secluding herself from society. She never wanted to meet with others and stayed inside most of the time. Because of her discomfort and shyness in social situations, Emily gradually reduced her social contacts, going out less and less into society. By her late twenties, this has led to an almost complete seclusion; spending most of her time in the family house. <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">

__//<span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">If Recollecting were Forgetting //__<span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">

<span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">If recollecting were forgetting, Then I remember not. And if forgetting, recollecting, How near I had forgot. And if to miss, were merry, And to mourn, were gay, How very blithe the fingers That gathered this, Today! <span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">

<span style="background-color: #1c1ca0; display: block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">This poem comes across as though the author is saying if recollecting was forgetting then she never recollects or never forgets anything. She then goes to change the wording and say if forgetting was recollecting then she almost remembered. She wants to change the meaning of words. This poem is a very interesting poem because of how Dickinson uses a type of play on words. By Dickinson interchanging recollecting and forgetting this brings about a deeper meaning to the poem. I personally think that she is wanting to forget about the loss of a loved one so that is why she wants to change recollecting to forgetting. The pain of losing a loved one is very hard and most people just want to move past the mourning and sadness and forget. The repetitiveness in the poem enhances the feelings of the author and shows how strongly she feels for the person who died. Recollecting and forgetting are also two words and concepts that you don’t normally see together, they are almost complete opposites. Most people who recollect do it because they never want to forget and people who forget never want to recollect. I think that Dickinson knew this and used it to create a new dynamic in her writings. Bringing in two opposites gives the poem a broader meaning and more for the reader to take in and consider.