Journal Entry #2 - Poetry questions

Which of the poems had the most meaning for you personally?

The poem that has the most meaning to me would have to be "I am from swing sets and jungle gyms". The character that the author has created made us feel such a connection with what I feel about childhood, as well as many others, because we miss that sweet innocence that only a child has. The poem "Alone" reminds me of those times in my life where I have felt hopeless, where it seems like no one understands what I am going through. Even though you can never be alone, there are moments when it feels like you are on your own.
"As I Grew Older" had helped us remember our hopes and dreams when we were a child, but now, as we understand the difference between fantasy and reality, those dreams start to fade away as we think about more realistic aspirations. "I am from pink tights and speak your mind" captures the memories that we had as a child, where everything was magic and you believe what you wanted to believe. It was hard to connect with a character such as one from "Richard Cory", as I had never felt what he feels, or lived the lifestyle he has. I can still understand his pain when his numerous possessions not only do not make him happy, but make him feel like an outsider to those who are not as fortunate as him in wealth.

What thoughts and/or feelings did the texts evoke in you? Why?

Both "Richard Cory" and "Alone" creates a feeling of loneliness and being an outsider, but in different ways. In "Richard Cory", the poet clearly sets apart the 'He' (Cory) from the 'We' (narrator), so you can see that in a seemingly low-class part of town, the residents tend to separate themselves from Cory, because of his marvellous lifestyle. Even though he was friendly to those living down town, he was still treated as an outsider, and maybe even a loner. "Alone" makes you think of an unfortunate soul living on the streets with no one to care for them. Looking at the bigger picture, I believe this poem is about a human's need for relationships with people they care about, or else they have nothing to live for. The feeling of loneliness here shows that no one can make it in the world without people to care for.
The poem "As I grew Older" is a little interesting, with a feeling of either regret or hopelessness. It starts off by saying that when you were younger, you had the most amazing dreams of what you wanted your life to be. What I am wondering is, why did the wall rise up? I was thinking that because he was older, his dreams have become smaller and more realistic, but now he regrets not following his dream. One quote may change that, when he says "I am black". Since he lived during the time where people were quite racist, is his skin colour the wall and the hinderance that was rising in front of his dream, giving this poem a sense of hopelessness?
"I am from swing sets and jungle gyms" and "I am from pink tights and speak your mind" both make me think about reminiscing about the past and our childhood days.
"I am from swing sets..." has brought two of the narrators lives together, and looks at the transition s/he has made from her schooldays to maturity. I can create a connection with what she feels, since I usually think about my other life in Australia, and wonder about who I could have been, as well as who I am now. "I am from pink tights..." is more of thinking about the past, at the happiness that you have felt as a child, and how your whole life was a fairytale.

Smalltown Boy - A Song about Identity

SMALLTOWN BOY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xa79n1CdKY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I do not own anything! Rights to the song belong to Bronski Beat =)