Precis: “Thanks For Remembering Us”

In “Thanks For Remembering Us,” Dana Gioia uses a troubled tone to describe how delicate relationships can be through a key rhyme and a metaphor comparing a relationship to a bouquet of flowers. In the first stanza, there is an end rhyme with the words “blunder” and “wonder.” Gioia draws the reader’s attention to this line because it alludes to the fact that relationships can be fragile because the people in the couple don’t trust each other. However, this idea is made clearer in the second stanza. Words such as “die,” “dry,” “sickly,” and “funeral” are used to portray the dying flower. The comparison is made complete when the couple says how the flowers were “accusing us of some small crime.” The flowers reminded them of their unstable relationship. As can be see from this poem, the metaphors and unique rhymes create the uncertainty couples can sometimes feel in a relationship.

Precis: "Grammar"

In “Grammar,” Tony Hoagland asserts with a jealous tone that young love can be challenging for those who are single and alone through his metaphors and allusions to certain aspects of grammar. In the first stanza, Maxine’s friends describe her sexual acts during the weekend with words like “conjugated” and “doing the direct object.” They feel left out and in a state of solitary. Additionally, the metaphor in the last stanza proves this statement. Hoagland compares fire to love. Just like fire, love is difficult to harness. Maxine’s friends are described as having “burned hands” and people who have “all tried to start a fire.” They haven’t found their true loves and therefore feel depressed by Maxine’s happiness. Tony Hoagland creates the feelings of lonesomeness and desire for love through his comparison and grammar references.

Precis: "The Modern Prometheus"

In “The Modern Prometheus,” JJ Kampf ascertains with a humorous tone that sometimes one must go against the rules to achieve ultimate happiness. He creates the idea through his unique style and allusion to the myth of Prometheus. The poem follows a similar style throughout its entirety. The babysitter discusses what the children are doing wrong, while spliced within the story are the directions from the parents. The children eat “sour chewies,” while the parents cautioned against any “sugary candy.” Although the babysitter goes against the parents, he/she does it for the sake of the children who “smiled.” Additionally, Kampf compares the rebellion of this babysitter to that of the titan, Prometheus, who gave fire to the people. The titan wanted the people to be happy, which is why it is alluded to in the poem. These two characters had the same intentions. JJ Kampf highlights the importance of rebellion for the goal of happiness through his allusion and style.

Precis: "In the Well"

Andrew Hudgins’ “In the Well” describes the importance of the struggle that ultimately leads to the result, by using a suspenseful tone. He uses antithesis and setting to create his theme. In the beginning of the poem, words such as “darkness,” “blood,” “iron,” and “gagged” are used. These words discuss hardship and struggle. However, at the end of the poem, Hudgins contrasts with the words “light” and “breath,” which show how the struggle was all worth it. The task of finding the dog was difficult, but the result is what pays off. Hudgins makes the theme even more relatable by setting the story to the savior of a neighbor’s dog. The child goes into the dark well, but comes out with success. The setting of the well adds to the theme. Hudgins’ choice of setting and antithesis develop the idea that anything worth it in life takes hard work and some pain.

Precis: "Snow"

In “Snow”, David Berman describes, in a personal tone, the innocence of two children, through the imagery and title of the poem. The title of the poem is "Snow", and throughout the poem, Seth and his brother walk across snow as well. The hue of snow is white. White connotes a sense of innocence and purity, which is one reason as to why “angels” are mentioned throughout the poem. The purity of snow helps to depict children and childhood in general as something simple and squeaky clean. The imagery of this poem helps to create David Berman’s message about children in their early stages.

Precis: “Cartoon Physics, part 1”

In “Cartoon Physics, part 1”, Nick Flynn discusses, in an informative tone, the innocence of children in contrast to adults through his unique structure and antithesis. The poem doesn’t hold any special format. The stanzas vary in sizes, and the poem lacks periods after sentences. The point of this style is to show the way children behave. They don’t stick to an order, but rather things are much simpler for them, which is why the style is simple. The antithesis of the child to the adult adds another layer. The poem describes men as complex creatures who can “pass through” rocks and not realize their “mistake” until they stare it right in the face. Children on the other hand, see everything more clearly and simple. They see everything at a base level. Through this antithesis and structure, Nick Flynn achieves his goal of depicting a child’s innocence and simplicity.