i need help finding the message, and what literary devices or elements were used to demonstrate this message. im writing a poetry explication.
jerrod wasn’t planned
love kept him growing in my womb
my g.e.d. r.n. was for him
i gave him things i never had
kisses hugs hearing i love you every day
jerrod was never a regret
he makes me forget my once bitter life
jerrod loves art
that’s how i got to know a basquiat from a monet
he taught me programming french
jerrod isn’t perfect
i’m his drill sergeant
they’ll be no numbers under his photo
i don’t know why/when/how jump shots became my nerd’s passion
jerrod loves manning up/playing with the big dogs
he makes me forget my once bitter life
what you mean Jerrod laying out on the court
they mistook him for who
blood of my blood drained gone no no no
lord jesus jesus lord how could you curse my womb
i can’t get this bitter taste out of my mouth
jerrod’s gone i can’t forget my once bitter life
There is a lot of symbology in words and phrases...
g.e.d. r.n. I do not understand this...GED HS diploma, Registered Nurse cert?
basquiat from a monet...Basquiat the global artist, Money the painter of things
isn't perfect...has flaws
drill sergeant...one who molds
no numbers...statistics measuring greatness
jump shots...basketball
big dogs...people of power...drug or crime figures
laying out...dead
blood of my blood...life from my life
bitter taste...anger, hate
my once bitter life...life in which I did not love.
"no numbers under his photo" can also mean he won't ever be arrested and have a mug shot.
"jump shots became my nerd’s passion" can mean the poet doesn't know when her computer-savvy son became more interested in playing basketball.
To find the message in this poem and identify the literary devices or elements used to demonstrate it, you'll need to closely analyze the text.
1. Read the poem multiple times: Start by reading the poem several times to get a general understanding of its content and structure.
2. Identify the message: The message or theme of the poem appears to be the speaker's deep love and connection with her son Jerrod, who is a source of joy and redemption in her life. Despite the bitterness and challenges she faced in the past, her love for Jerrod has helped her forget those hardships.
3. Identify literary devices or elements:
-Repetition: Notice the repetition of the phrase "he makes me forget my once bitter life" at the end of each stanza. This repetition emphasizes the transformative power of the speaker's love for Jerrod.
-Imagery: Pay attention to the vivid imagery used throughout the poem, such as "love kept him growing in my womb" and "blood of my blood drained gone." The use of imagery helps to evoke emotions and create a visually engaging experience for the reader.
-Allusion: The poem references artists such as Basquiat and Monet, as well as religious figures like Jesus. These allusions add depth and complexity to the poem and help to convey the speaker's connection to art and spirituality.
-Personification: The line "they mistook him for who" personifies the court and suggests that it has taken Jerrod away, contributing to the sense of loss and tragedy in the poem.
-Rhetorical questions: The speaker asks rhetorical questions like "lord jesus jesus lord how could you curse my womb" and "i can’t get this bitter taste out of my mouth." These questions are used to emphasize the speaker's pain and confusion, creating a sense of urgency and emotional intensity.
These are just a few examples of the literary devices and elements that may be present in the poem. Take note of any others you find while conducting a thorough analysis.
4. Connect literary devices to the message: As you analyze the poem, consider how these literary devices contribute to the overall message. For example, the repetition of the phrase "he makes me forget my once bitter life" underscores the transformative power of love and highlights the theme of redemption. The use of allusions and imagery adds depth and emotional resonance to the poem, enhancing the reader's understanding of the speaker's experiences and emotions.
By following these steps and conducting a detailed analysis of the poem, you should be able to find the message and identify the literary devices or elements used to demonstrate it in your poetry explication.