Abstract
The question of the "voice" of a yue-fu poem is a complicated one given the circumstances under which these poems came to be written. This is a strange poem because it has more than one voice. In fact, parts of the poem are even in the quotation marks that usually separate speakers in prose. In the first section of the poem the voice is that of a soldier. However, it is important to note that the soldier never uses "I" as an individual. Instead, the "voice" always uses the pronoun "we" in reference to the entire group of soldiers in his unit.

Tags:yue-fu, poem

Abstract
The paper relates that Lorna Crozier's "Poem About Nothing" has zero ("O") at its centre and the poem arranges signs around zero, which might be interpreted as arranging signs around nothing, around a hole, or around emptiness. The paper points out that surprisingly, despite this central emptiness, and despite the poem's provocative assertion in its title that it is about nothing, an analysis of the effects of its arrangement of signs reveals that the poem is about rather a lot, after all.

From the Paper
"Lorna Crozier's "Poem About Nothing" has zero ("O") at its centre. Thus, the poem arranges signs around zero, which might be interpreted as arranging signs around nothing, or around a hole, or around emptiness. Surprisingly, despite this central emptiness, and despite the poem's provocative assertion in its title that it is about nothing, an analysis of the effects of its arrangement of signs reveals that the poem is about rather a lot, after all. Viewed as an arrangement of signs, the entire "Poem about Nothing" might..."

Tags:nothing, zero, poem

Abstract
The paper looks at Alice Major's "Maps" and how this brief poem captures some fascinating items about Canada and about Canadian society as it presently stands. Specifically, the poem's focus upon the evolution of cartography in this country over time and its use of vivid imagery focusing upon the evolution of an embryonic child touches upon two things: the controversial phenomenon of Canada being "discovered" by Caucasian usurpers arriving from abroad, and the fact that Canada is a nation wherein the social compass has shifted dramatically in recent decades, with the contemporary Canadian public - now more so than ever before - changing its stance relative to previous generations vis-a-vis provocative (if not seismic) social issues such as abortion. Finally, the paper discusses how the image of a child is meaningful because Canada is still, in too many ways, a child on the world stage - and still acutely vulnerable to the caprices of others. The paper shows how the afore-cited poem is replete with social commentary that percolates just beneath the surface.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at Alice Major's "Maps" and at how this brief poem captures some fascinating items about Canada and about Canadian society as it presently stands. Specifically, the poem's focus upon the evolution of cartography in this country over time and its use of vivid imagery focusing upon the evolution of an embryonic child touches upon two things: the controversial phenomenon of Canada being "discovered" by Caucasian usurpers arriving from abroad, and the fact that Canada is a nation wherein the social compass has shifted dramatically in recent decades, with the contemporary Canadian public - now more so than ever..."

Tags:analysis, maps, poem

Abstract
This paper focuses on William Wordsworth's poem "Animal Tranquility and Decay." It explores the relationships between man's mind, his body, and his natural environment. The title refers to the "tranquility" that Wordsworth seems to perceive in nature and the "decay" that a human being undergoes during his life. The paper concentrates on the various insinuations made by Wordsworth about tranquility and decay. Definitions are raised and examined, as well as related to everyday life. Also, symbolism is examined in the poem, as well. Phrases and stanzas from the poems are analyzed in search of an overall theme.

Tags:animal, decay, poem, poetry, tranquility, william, wordsworth, age

Abstract
The paper provides an analysis of Rosalia de Castro's poem "A Glowworm Scatters Flashes." The paper deals with effects created by the poet's technique, such as the poet's use of powerful and vivid imagery. The paper focuses on the theme of the relationship between the persona in the poem and his Deity.

From the Paper
"In her poem "A Glowworm Scatters Flashes" Rosalia de Castro utilizes powerful and vivid imagery to depict the intensity of the private relationship between the persona and his Deity. Throughout the poem concrete images from architecture or building materials shattered in a thousand bits, lofty marble riches and Adam's clay are juxtaposed with the incorporeal nature of God, the chasms that the persona cannot see and the solitary vast vacuity."

Tags:Poem, deCastro

Abstract
This paper describes how Levertov wrote of life's experiences and their mystery, allowing her readers to examine real life situations through different perspectives that were both spiritual and natural. This is noted in her poem "To the Snake." According to the paper, this work is an exploration of life as expressed through Levertov's focus on mystery and individual fascination with the forbidden.

From the Paper
"Levertov wrote of life's experiences and their mystery, allowing her readers to examine real life situations through different perspectives that were both spiritual and natural. In the poem "To the Snake" this exploration of life is expressed through Levertov's focus on mystery and individual fascination with the forbidden. Using alliteration to heighten the experience of the speaker, Levertov takes the reader on a journey that all people can relate to as they succumb to desires that cannot be explained by common logic. Denise Levertov was born in England in 1923. During World War II Levertov..."

Tags:poem, snake, lvertov

Abstract
Kudzu is a plant that was introduced into the South with hopes it would prevent erosion. It spread very rapidly and has become a pest. It explains how James Dickey personified this plant in his poem, "Kudzu". He uses several different themes to describe this pesky plant.

From the Paper
"James Dickey's "Kudzu" offers a quite untraditional view of a local southern pest. Generally speaking, Dickey describes the plant in its true form, a quick-growing plant that spreads so fast it is almost impossible for farmers to sleep for fear of it. Overall, Dickey uses several themes, including military, supernatural, and communication themes, to personify this very humanlike plant. Dickey develops these individual themes using personification, similes, and metaphors."

Tags:personification, personify, plant, poem, poetry, south

Abstract
A brief poem about what brown skin means, written in free verse form.

From the Paper
"The time is coming you know. It's been predicted for years. There will be more brown-skinned people than white-skinned ones. The result of mingled bodies and loves and lives and, The endless search for a common ground, common denominator. The brown-skinned ones will rule the world. Will they do it better than others? Worse than others? Or about the same? Does skin make a difference in anything meaningful? Some say that this is obvious. Skin shapes who you are, what you are..."

Tags:free verse, poem, Brown Skin

Abstract
This paper compares the song "It's A Marshmallow World" to Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as A Cloud," examining theme, tone, rhythm and message.

From the Paper
"The Brenda Lee song "It's A Marshmallow World" provides an interesting contrast to William Wordsworth's classic poem "I Wandered Lonely as A Cloud". On the assumption that song lyrics are in essence a form of poetry, the song and the poem can be compared and contrasted to find common elements and distinctive differences. "It's A Marshmallow World" is on the surface just a bit of fluff, a happy song with little meaning. However, it does manifest many of the same elements and concepts as..."

Tags:poem, song, poetry, Wordsworth, It's A Marshmallow World, I Wandered Lonely as A Cloud, theme, tone, rhythm

Abstract
This paper explains that Charles Bukowski's poem, "My Old Man" portrays a conflict between a father and son. The complete opposite of this poem is Nancy Willard's poem, "Questions My Son Asked Me, Answers I Never Gave Him", which conveys affection between a parent and child. The author points out that the themes of these poems are different: Charles Bukowski gives the father and son a strong sense of disconnection and refusal of one another; whereas, in Willard's poem, the theme exposes involvement and acceptance between a parent and child. The paper relates that Charles Bukowski creates a sense of misery with the son having a feeling of unimportance; Nancy Willard's poem expresses a deeper meaning of time through life.

From the Paper
"The imagery created through the questions and answers in Willard's poem, produces an outlook on life relating time. In the course of the parent and son's intimate relationship, it allows them to involve time on the view of life within the questions and answers. Through time the son will find out if butterflies make noise, if he can eat a star, and if the years ever run out. Even the answers given to him are through time. For example the last question asks, "Do the years ever run out?" This question inquires the time in living every day to a year to find his answer. Even though his parent answers, "God said, I will break time's heart", the son must live and learn so he can eventually interpret the answers to his questions."

Tags:conflict, affection, disconnection, relationship, imagery