The poem “Fence” by Pat Mora is a poem about choices and the consequences that come with them. The speaker in the poem is talking to someone who has made a choice that has led to them being “fenced in” and unable to move forward in their life. The speaker asks the person if they … Read more
In (love song, with two goldfish), Chua conveys the development and deterioration of the relationship between to goldfish. By consistently comparing and contrasting their actions to those of humans, she able to reflect upon the latter’s imperfections through an extended metaphor. In other words, by personifying these creatures, we are allowed a glimpse into human behavior … Read more
“Spring Offensive” is a poem by Wilfred Owen, written in 1917. The poem is about the futility of war and the loss of life that it causes. The title of the poem refers to the German Spring Offensive, which was a military offensive that took place during World War I. The offensive was launched by … Read more
Langston Hughes’ poem “Theme for English B” is a powerful exploration of race and identity. The poem centers on the speaker’s experience as a black student in a predominantly white college. The speaker reflects on his own racial identity and how it affects his interactions with others. The poem highlights the ways in which race … Read more
The Secretary Chant is a poem by Marge Piercy that explores the idea of identity. The speaker in the poem is a woman who is trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in life. The poem starts with the speaker saying that she is tired of being a secretary and wants … Read more
Wislawa Szymborska was a Polish poet, essayist, and translator. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996. “Dramatic Irony in Hitler’s First Photograph” is a poem about the famous photograph of Adolf Hitler taken in 1913. The poem uses dramatic irony to explore the idea that we can never truly know someone, even … Read more
A Poem Flag by John Agard is a beautiful poem that celebrates flags and their symbolism. The poem is written in the form of a flag, with each line representing a different element of the flag. Agard’s use of language is beautiful and evocative, and his Flag is a perfect example of how a simple … Read more
John Donne’s “Message” is a poem that speaks to the universality of love and its ability to transcend time and space. The speaker in the poem begins by addressing their beloved, telling them that they are always with them, even when they are apart. The speaker then goes on to say that love is a … Read more