Dedication to my dad

Dedication to my Dad

By Keegan Wright

To DadThis is a little something for all that you have done for me.

Thank you Dad!

The wave breaks And I'm carried into it. This is hell, I know, Yet my father laughs, Chest-deep, proving I'm wrong. We're safely rooted, Rocked on his toes. Nothing irked him more Than asking, "What is there Beyond death?" His theory once was That love greets you, And the loveless Don't know what to say.

Descriptions of Heaven and Hellby Mark Jarman

“Descriptions of Heaven and Hell” gives an interesting and unique perspective on what happens to the human soul after death. The author, Mark Jarman, makes a powerful statement in very few words. The words “Love greets you, and the loveless don’t know what to say” perfectly describes the meeting between the soul and our maker at the end of this life. “Descriptions of Heaven and Hell”, through its tone, structure, and conciseness, impacted me greatly, and I hope it will you as well. For this piece, Mark Jarman, is probably the speaker. He uses this structure to show the wisdom of his father through his own past ignorance. Mark Jarman’s choice to use paraphrases from his father help’s the poem to achieve its conciseness and impact. By using himself as the speaker and using paraphrases from his father, Mark Jarman is able to give wisdom through the poem, while keeping it in the present, the here and now. “Descriptions of Heaven and Hell” shows the contrast between the two. To help the reader to visualize this contrast, Mark Jarman creates a shift in the poem when switching the focus from hell to heaven. This shift is not gentle, but a powerful jerk, in order for the reader to see the huge contrast between the two subjects. While the first part of the poem is frightful, and filled with action and despair, the second part takes a more thoughtful and reflective tone. The insight from “Descriptions of Heaven and Hell” is very thought provoking, and reminds me of the wisdom my father has shared with me. The piece masterfully delivers the wisdom it carries. Through the speaker, and a unique shift in the poem, the reader is pulled into the thoughts of the author, and shares in his knowledge. “Descriptions of Heaven and Hell” teaches a lesson that my father taught me, one that I will never forget. •

I Beyond the years the answer lies, Beyond where brood the grieving

skies And Night drops tears. Where Faith rod-chastened smiles to rise And doff its fears, And carping Sorrow pines and dies— Beyond the

years. II

Beyond the years the prayer for rest Shall beat no more within the breast; The darkness clears, And Morn perched on the mountain's crest Her form uprears— The day that is to come is best, Beyond the years.

III Beyond the years the soul shall find That endless peace for which it

pined, For light appears, And to the eyes that still were blind With blood and tears, Their sight shall come all unconfined Beyond the years.

Beyond the Yearsby Paul Laurence Dunbar

Sometimes life seems full of misery and despair. Sometimes it seems that there is no way out, and the cycle of pain and suffering will continue. “Beyond the Years” shows us that there is hope, an end to the cycle, beyond the years. Paul Laurence Dunbar gives the reader hope that “the soul shall find that endless peace” when all is said and done. “Beyond the Years” breathes encouragement through excellent structure and tone, coupled with a joyful theme. “Beyond the Years” is a perfect down-in-the-dumps poem, instructing the reader to take heart; there is hope, peace, and rest to come! In “Beyond the Years” Dunbar takes on a persona of a man who has finished his years. This man is giving a message to those of us still with years to be, that when all our work is finished, there is rest. By taking on this persona, Dunbar is able to establish the words of wisdom as truth. Instead of the poem being filled with a possible hope, it instead gives the idea that someone has already seen the hope to be true. To boost the effect of Dunbar’s persona’s tale of wisdom, he uses a technique to bring out the most in every word. In each stanza, Dunbar compares a dark and frightful subject or circumstance, with a completely opposite notion of light and peace. This contrast achieves the goal of encouraging the reader, showing him or her that no matter how bleak the outlook may be, there is a light on the horizon. In addition to this, Dunbar also uses a building block technique, giving more encouragement in each stanza, saving the most powerful for last. When life gets you down, remember that “Beyond the years the answer lies.” Through the wisdom of an old man, comparing dark to the hope of light, and stacking encouragement upon encouragement, “Beyond the Years” uplifts the weary heart. Dunbar encourages the reader in a pleasing way, making this poem an excellent piece to enjoy at anytime, but especially when things look bleak. The hope described in this poem gives me peace through my hard times, and I pray it does the same for you.

Only a Dadby Edgar Guest

Only a dad with a tired face, Coming home from the daily race,

Bringing little of gold or fame, To show how well he has played the game,

But glad in his heart that his own rejoice To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four, One of ten million men or more. Plodding along in the daily strife,

Bearing the whips and the scorns of life, With never a whimper of pain or hate,

For the sake of those who at home await. Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,

Merely one of the surging crowdToiling, striving from day to day,

Facing whatever may come his way, Silent, whenever the harsh condemn, And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his allTo smooth the way for his children small,

Doing, with courage stern and grim, The deeds that his father did for him.

This is the line that for him I pen: Only a dad, but the best of men.

• Sometimes we take our fathers for granted. Sometimes we forget all of the work they do for us, both at their jobs and in our lives. In “Only a Dad” Edgar Guest gives an ode to fathers everywhere, thanking them for all that they do. Fathers may be “only a dad” but they are “the best of men.” No matter what his occupation, a father is the most important of all men. Through voice and masterful organization, Edgar Guest thanks not only his dad, but fathers everywhere for their sacrifice.

• In “Only a Dad” Edgar Guest is the speaker, but he is not praising his father alone, but the works of every father. By using himself as the speaker, Guest keeps the poem intimate, yet through broad statements, universal as well. By making the poem between himself and his father, Guest enhances the power of the poem, but because he does not use terms specific to his father’s occupation or actions, he gives the poem meaning to every son or daughter who reads it.

• Edgar Guest organizes “Only a Dad” in a unique way that builds from being enjoyable to powerful. Guest begins the poem by showing the work that every father does outside of the home, honoring the ordinary father who is “One of ten million men or more.” Guest then moves the poem inward, to what fathers sacrifice at home. Even after a long day of stress, a father finds the motivation to bear it “all for the love of them,” his children.

• Even when we don’t acknowledge all that our fathers do for us, they keep doing it anyway. Edgar Guest honors every father with “Only a Dad.” He reminds us of the love they give us, even when they are the ones deserving to receive the love. Through an intimate speaker and progressing organization, Guest accomplishes a powerful piece of appreciation for fathers everywhere. I hope that after reading this, that none of take our fathers for granted anymore.

Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee, Gave thee life, and bid thee feed By the stream and

o'er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing, woolly, bright; Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the vales rejoice? Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Little lamb, I'll tell thee; Little lamb, I'll tell thee: He is called by thy name, For He

calls Himself a Lamb. He is meek, and He is mild, He became a little child. I a child, and thou a lamb, We are called by His name. Little lamb, God bless thee! Little

lamb, God bless thee!

The Lambby William Blake

• Who made me? Why am I made like I am? “The Lamb” Reminds us to ask these questions, and reminds us of a

greater power than ourselves. William Blake through the imagery of a lamb, tells of Jesus, who is called the perfect lamb. “The Lamb” is a piece filled with faith, thought provoking, and entertaining all at the same time. By speaking to the symbol of Jesus about Jesus, William Blake creates a sense of irony that intrigues the reader. Through this irony, structure, and organization, William Blake creates a faith inspired work, that is a pleasure to

read, reaching not only those strong in the faith, but new Christians and even non believers. “The Lamb” is constructed in a two -phased format. The first phase, the thought provoking phase, asks the

age old question, why am I here? How was something so complex as a lambs bodily system formed? Immediately after letting this question set in, the speaker gives the answer, in an ironic and entertaining way.

William Blake compares the lamb, to Jesus, giving depth to the poem. William Blake’s organization gives the poem its melodic flow that makes it so enjoyable. Blake uses couplets throughout the entire poem, giving rhyme to each segment of the piece, making it flow. He also uses couplets

to add emphasis, helping key words to sink into the reader’s mind. While couplets everywhere may seem like it would make a poem choppy, Blake masterfully employs the technique, using it to create rhythm.

Who made me, why am I here? “The Lamb” gives peace to a heart asking these questions, in an enjoyable and rhythmic way. Blake’s two phase plan first provokes thought, possibly unpleasant thought, and next gives a

pleasant and pleasing answer. Blake’s expert use of couplets gives the poem its sing-song characteristics, bringing it to life. “The Lamb” is an enjoyable and entertaining poem praising the perfect lamb.

Who Made Me?

from You Beginby Margaret Atwood

You begin this way: this is your hand, this is your eye, that is a fish, blue and flat on the paper, almost the shape of an eye. This is your mouth, this is an O or a moon, whichever you like. This is yellow. Outside the window is the rain, green because it is summer, and beyond that the trees and then the world, which is round and has only the colors of

these nine crayons. This is the world, which is fuller and more difficult to learn than I have said. You are right to smudge it that way with the

red and then the orange: the world burns. Once you have learned these words you will learn that there are more words than you can ever learn.

The word hand floats above your hand like a small cloud over a lake. The word hand anchors your hand to this table, your hand is a warm

stone I hold between two words. This is your hand, these are my hands, this is the world, which is round but not flat and has more colors than

we can see. It begins, it has an end

Teaching Us About Learning

In “You Begin” Margaret Atwood takes a unique look into learning. Atwood shows the redundancies in our learning journey. We are taught certain things when we are little, and then told to broaden our focus when we can handle it. Atwood keeps the reader entertained and intrigued throughout the entire piece, through the speaker and organization of the poem. Margaret Atwood chose the speaker to be a teacher, a very logical choice for a poem about teaching and learning. The interesting aspect of this is that the teacher is teaching about teaching, and showing the irony in it. This way the reader can imagine sitting in a classroom, listening to this lesson on teaching. A very intriguing technique, employed beautifully by Atwood, it gives the poem a setting, and expands the impact of the piece. A poem about learning is not something someone would expect to be so entertaining. Atwood uses an organization pattern that accomplishes just that. In the beginning of the poem, the speaker states a fact that most everyone learns in his or her first few years of life. Later in the poem, the speaker states a fact that most are taught later in life that negates a “fact” learned as a child. This organization method gives the poem its irony, and makes the poem what it is. A poem about learning that is enjoyable? Margaret Atwood pulls off this astonishing feat through her unique perspective of the subject. She then delivers this perspective through her choice of speaker and organization, making this poem the classic it has become.

The Devil’s Fear

The rooster crows, it’s time to wakeAnd say a prayer to the God who cares This makes the devil cringe and shake He knows that neither lies nor dares Can separate one who loves from his Father Oh how angry this does make himAnd puts him in a tizzy, filled with anger and botherNow lets go on and take a swim We don’t have to worry about that old devil For our God is better than he He is on a much higher levelAnd though He we cannot seeHis love is more than enough for me

Uncommon SenseI chose to include “The Devil’s Fear” because it is a reminder of a lesson my father taught me when I was young. He taught me to have uncommon sense. Yes, UNcommon sense. Common sense tells us that we should be afraid of the devil and his wiles, but the truth is quite the opposite. When we pray, and give our lives to Jesus, the devil has to be afraid of us. “We are on the winning team” he would say. God has already won the fight, we just have to sit on the right side of the stadium. I include a lot works about faith because it is such a driving factor in my life, and I learned almost all of what I know about faith from my father. From a young age, I was taught the basic rules set forth in the bible, and expected to obey them. At the time, some of them may have seemed silly or too strict, but now I am thankful for each rule. Even simple rules such as “love others as you love yourself” and “Judge not that ye be not judged” have guided me through difficult decisions. The words that my father taught me have seen me through joy, pain, sorrow, loss, gain, hate, and love, for 19 years, and many more to come. They are words that I will never forget.

Who am I?

Who am I? I walk around on two feet

I am almost the same as everyone who does, will, and hasBut something is different

I am not the same as anyone I meetNor are any two I passAm I a valiant man?

Do I always speak the truth? Or am I a coward

Who flees from danger?Am I brave like Ruth?

Do I always move forward? And never look back in anger?

Who am I? To try and answer would be folly

Only the sands of time can tell my storyAnd prove me strong or weak.

Angry or jollyIn shame or glory

Of who I am my life will speakWho am I?

You’ll have to wait and see‘Cause no one knows who I am, not even me

Who am I?

• Who am I? That is a question that I often ask myself, and the answer is different at different stages in my life. This poem is a reminder that actions speak louder than words. What you say matters little, but what you do really defines you. For example, if I boast of my bravery, but flee at the first sign of trouble, am I really brave? Who am I then? This poem reminds me to keep my promises, to do what I say, and speak the truth. Because when all is said and done, I will be remembered by my actions, not my words.

• I chose to include this poem because the principles behind it are a huge part of my life. They are lessons taught by my father, to show me how to live a good life. The words he shared with me have saved me a lot of heartache, and I am very grateful.

Jesus Oh precious Jesus, how I love my Jesus

Sitting on his throne above, away from sorrow and pain

He came to save us, and though we sin, he still loves us

He came to teach, he came to love, and he came to heal, though he had nothing to gain

Though I hurt him and disobey, he is patient with me

No matter what the cost, he was determined to save me through loss

And on that fateful day he did it, up for all do see

On that day so long ago, he gave his life up on that cross

But he is dead, for he is risen

And saved us all from our own prison

Oh Jesus I love thee

And I know that you love even me

A Greater Love

“Jesus” is a poem about love. Not what we typically think of when we think about love, but the greatest love anyone has ever shown. Jesus is that perfect and powerful love. The greatest love a man can have is “to give his life for his brother” but Jesus did what no man could ever do. Jesus died for every man that has ever lived, that lives now, and that will ever live. Jesus’ love is perpetual, and is greater than any human can ever imagine.

I chose to include “Jesus” because it is one of the most uplifting poem’s I have written. Whenever you are feeling discouraged, frustrated, or depressed, just remember that

everything is all right, no matter what happens, Jesus loves you and will see you through any trial.

How to Make a Man by Matthew WrightTo make a man is not a simple task to do

You must start with a boy, and he will not always listenHe has to fall, and you must let himThough it breaks your heart through

He has to be taught to help his mother, even in the kitchenLet him do things on a whim

Even if you know it to be foolish

You must urge him to learn the love of GodTo make his heart strong

And teach him work and toil You mustn’t spare the rod

Teach him to fight for reasons right and not wrongFor this foundation no evil can foil

This boy will drive you mad

He will make you want to tear your hair outBut when this stage is met, you know you’re almost done

For soon he will make your heart gladAnd ask your forgiveness for when he would shout

His inner struggle being won

Give the boy a chance to standAnd you will have yourself a man

Making a Man“How to Make a Man by Matthew Wright” is a very short summary of how

my father raised me. He taught me everything I needed to know, helped me with anything I struggled with, but knew when to let me fail. This was the

most important lesson, and I know it was harder for him to have to teach it than for me to learn it. He always encouraged trying new things, urging me

to try anything I was interested in, making me well rounded. I always encouraged him to write a book on parenting, and in loo of him doing so, I

wrote this short poem. Though not always at the time, I now appreciate every lesson my father

has taught me, especially the hard ones. The little bit of pain I suffered then has saved me an unimaginable amount throughout my life. The most

important rule my father followed was to do everything out of love, even when I was not very lovable. I do not know where I would be without him,

and I hope to be half the father he is.

Poem for Dad

Tall and strong I’ve always looked up to dad

He taught me right when I was wrongHe cheers me up when I am sadAnd plays me my favorite song

I didn’t always understand why he told me no

I would sit and think and stewBut It was always from his heart, I know

Teaching me the things he knew He will always be there, in rain, sleet, and snow

So that my worries may be few

Now, not just in height I’ve grownBut in wisdom and strength as well

And now I truly know the love he’s shownAnd I hope this apple hasn’t fell

To far from that tree, so noble, strong, and brown

Now I see him eye to eyeBut I still look up to dad

In this I tell no lieOne day I hope to make my heart glad

And know when people look at me, they see my dad

Dad“A Poem for Dad” was the easiest for me to choose to include. A

dad is the first man you learn to respect. You learn almost everything you need to know about being a man from him, and form an unbreakable bond with him. A father and son share a

unique kind of two-way love; one is filled with respect and admiration, while the other way is composed of caring,

responsibility, and hope. This love is similar to the love brothers share, but is even more powerful. A father means the world to his son, just as a son means the world to a father, and each will move mountains for the other in their own time. I would not have made

it very far without my father. As much as a father is to any son, my father means even more

to me. My father has always been, and always will be, my best friend. We share a lot of the same interests, we do everything together, and I can talk to him about anything. No matter what

the world throws at either of us, he’s always there for me. Because of his undying love for me, and for my whole family, I

dedicate this project to the best father a son could ask for

Sources Cited

• Descriptions of Heaven and Hell by Mark Jarman - http://www.poets.org

• Beyond the Years by Paul Laurance Dunbar - http://www.poets.org

• Only a Dad by Edgar Guest - http://www.poets.org

• The Lamb by William Blake - http://www.poets.org

Sources Cited

• You Begin by Margaret Atwood - http://www.poets.org