If I Should Have a Daughter by Sarah Kay Response

This poem is meaningful and touching, in a personal way. It shows the poet’s connection to this future daughter, and her connection to the circumstances life throws. Her poem is personal, but can be applied to everyone, mother, daughter, father, son. I believe this poem shows how the poet will forever stand behind her daughter, making sure she’s okay, instructing her, and leading her.

One line that really struck me was “And when they finally hand you heartache, when they slip war and hatred under your door and offer you handouts on street-corners of cynicism and defeat, you tell them that they really ought to meet your mother.” This was interesting because you usually don’t think of your mom as someone who is willing to fight hardship and struggle to keep you intact. Mothers protect their young in every species in some way, whether it’s by carrying them in their wombs, or feeding them. This line speaks, because even in someone’s worst moment, in the midst of shame and sorrow, mothers are forgiving and present, arms wide open for their fallen children.

I think Sarah Kay wants her to learn that life can knock you down, but it’s necessary to get up. In one line, she says that life will knock you down, wait for you to get up, and hit you even harder. This makes me think about mothers who see their children suffer. I can only imagine the hurt a mom goes through when her child is sentenced, or in the hospital. I don’t think I can understand how painful it must be for a parent to see their child fail. I’ve noticed that when one of us (my siblings or I) does badly in something, my parents get angry. I’d expect frustration, but they seem genuinely mad. Maybe it’s because we’re the children money went into for so many things. Maybe it’s because my parents spent so long teaching us to walk, speak and read. Maybe it’s because they feel as if their child is still connected to them; when a child fails, the parents have failed too.

This poem reminds me of a book I read, “Dreams of Joy” by Lisa See. In it, the main character’s daughter ran away from home to Communist China after learning that she had grown up believing her aunt was her mother, and her husband was her father. Her family constantly told her that the People’s Republic of China wasn’t what she thought it was. Sadly, with her stubborn beliefs, she left home. She ended up marrying a peasant who mistreated her, having a child, and nearly starving to death. In the midst of all of this, her mother came to China, where she might never get out, to save her daughter. This kind of love is found in the poem. Sarah Kay says that her daughter will call her Point B, because she can always find her way to her mom. Instead, a loving mom followed her daughter into a dangerous situation to ensure her safety.

 

 

        

          

Sonnet

No Day Is Guaranteed by Brooke Samerson

So many people die in just one day.

You thought that it’d be like that forever.

Like water in your hand, they slip away.

You’re shaken and stirred, like a swift tremor.

A lot of people do not love their lives.

They think that every day is guaranteed.

They don’t worry they’ll lose a friend, a wife.

It’s no wonder few think about their deeds.

Who would’ve thought their father would die?

They didn’t think Mom could never come home.

Death seems so distant, it seems like a lie.

They do not think they’ll ever be alone.

That is why I try to embrace each day.

‘Cause who knows when it’ll be taken away?

Poems

Without Hope (written in the point of view of Frida Kahlo)

Death is looming above my head

As tears cloud my eyes.

The sun burns its print upon my cheek.

Around me sit green fields, taunting me.

I'd love to be refreshed by a cool breeze,

But I'm trapped in my illness.

Even if I was freed,

My body is far too weak.

They torture me, saying I'll be better.

But I know its not true,

I'm stuck.

Death is looming above my head

As tears cloud my eyes.

The smell of rotting meat taints my breath.

Around me sit white sheets,

But all I see is gray.

I'd love to run among the fields I call home,

But I'm locked in my dispair.

What is Poetry?

Poetry is

A song, written.

A letter, sent.

A story, told.

Poetry is

A movie, watched.

A painting, made.

A dance, chereographed.

Poetry is a life, lived.

Joy

What Happens to Joy Deferred?

Does it wither, like a weed?

Or does it sit, like an unplanted seed?

Does it melt, like a sweet?

Or does it stink, like rotting meat?

Does it poke, and pester?

Or does it become a sore, and fester?

Does it sink, like a stone?

Or does it sit like an old photo, left alone?

Sin Esperanza (Without Hope) by Frida Kahlo

Sin Esperanza (Without Hope) By Frida Kahlo (1945)

         "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," says a famous adage that has inspired many people who've struggled. In Frida's case, what doesn't kill you inspires you. Frida endured a lot of physical hardships in her lifetime. When she was five years old, she got polio. She was often sickly, and died in her 40's. Even in the midst of pain, she succeeded in making beautiful art. Once when Frida was seriously ill, she had to be fed strained foods because she had no appetite. She painted how she felt on this in her painting, Sin Esperanza.         

        The painting has an unusual texture, with an almost scratchy look. It shows Frida Kahlo laying in bed, crying, with a ladder that holds meat, fruits, vegetables, a cat, and a skull. A tube connected to those things went into her mouth. Around this scene are grass and mountains, with the sun and moon in the sky.

         Some have described this as scary, disturbing, even; I can see why. To me, it shows struggle. So many people go through things in their lives that forever haunt them. They may be ashamed or afraid to let them out. Frida painted how she felt. She displayed the torturous feeling of being force-fed.  Maybe this was meant for her to connect to alone. She seems almost trapped beneath her sheets, maybe by her weakness. Its kind of odd that she painted a pleasant scene around her, because she was most likely spending her sick days inside. Perhaps she wanted to be free of her illness. This painting gives me a liberating feeling, because I've been weak while I was sick, and all I wanted to do was feel the freedom of being healthy.

Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

       I recently completed Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat. The main character Sophie lived in Haiti with her aunt and grandmother. Sophie's mother lived in New York. Sophie was conceived after her mother was raped. When she was 12, she got a ticket to go to the United States.
        Being Sophie must have been hard, knowing that your mother suffered because of you, knowing that you weren't wanted. Sophie's mother drank poison to abort her and even tried to kill herself, but it didn't work.In the book, Sophie's mother said that she "didn't want to die". This persistence to thrive is evident throughout the book.
         Sophie did well in school, and he mother wanted her to be a doctor. She met a man and after failing her mother's "virgin tests" she was kicked out- sent to live with him. Sophie became a secretary, and married Joseph, the man. Sophie had a daughter, despite her being without her mother.
         Sophie's mother became pregnant again, and ended up taking her own life. This was later in the book but it was the most climactic point in it. Sophie was forever a mistake, and even though she was loved, she must've known this. I don't think I could continue to try to succeed knowing that I wasn't wanted. Sophie thrived, despite all of the problems that surrounded her, which is really inspiring.
         This reminds me of Girl in Translation, where the main character was a poor immigrant, but ended up becoming a doctor, and saving her family from an unsafe lifestyle.

Before We Were Free

         I've always loved Julia Alvarez's book because it showed me how hard it is to keep hope in times of struggle. The main character, Anita, lived in the Dominican Republic, where a dictator ruled in the 1960's. Anita's father was involved in the murder of the dictator, and Anita and she mother had to go into hiding.
         Anita's brother was hidden in the embassy, her father and uncle were in prison, most likely dead. Anita's sister had to go to the United States after the elderly dictator tried to court her. Anita and her mother hid in a closet in a friend's bedroom. Anita was only 12, and I don't know how I would have handled that. One man ruined her life. The reality she once knew was only in her memory. Throughout the day, she found satisfaction in writing in her diary and reading books reccommended by the friend's son, who she liked.
         Anita didn't know if she'd live; the chances weren't likely. At any moment, the secret police could've raided the house and discovered her and her mom. Surprisingly, Anita made it from day to day. When a small problem arises in my life, I panic, acting as if the world will end because of my miniscule issue. Anita's family was falling apart, but she didn't allow her sanity to. In the book you can see that she struggled to stay sane, as I'm sure anyone would. She faced her problems with optimism, and in the end, she won.
        

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

        I think the author of Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers, does a good job of conveying that people often fear love. This almost chilling topic was showed through the main character, Angel.
        Angel was born outside of wedlock, her father a married man. During her childhood, she heard her father say that he had wanted her aborted. Her mother died, and she was given to a man who raped her. She ran away and became a prostitute in 1850'S Gold Country. A man saw her, and married her after saving her life.
           Angel was afraid to love after all she'd been through. Angel didn't want to befriend a neighbor family, afraid they'd leave. She was afraid to love because she was afraid of getting hurt. In her opinion, everyone she loved and trusted seemed to die or leave. I don't blame Angel for her tendency to avoid love. Duke, the man who raped her said, "Love is a trap, Angel." (52%).
           Often in life, we avoid people who are kind to us. We avoid kind people- why? Because we're like Angel, afraid of getting hurt. Angel didn't want to love her husband, she didn't want to love her friend, or her neighbors. Sometimes we do this indirectly, by avoiding a particularly kind person. We let our stereotypes and prejudices cloud our vision of a person. Angel, from past experiences, was convinced that men were evil, out to use her. Her husband LOVED her. I can admit that sometimes, when someone is trying to help me, I avoid them, and I don't even know why.
            Angel later discovered that love wasn't what she'd been taught in her sad life. She saw that love meant trust. She had to trust that those she loved would treat her well, and not lean on her own convictions.