Test prep #2

To err is human; || to forgive, divine

~ Alexander Pope

Test Preparation

Metonymy

 

Out, Out a poem by Robert Frost.

 

The buzz saw snarled and rattled in the yard
And made dust and dropped stove-length sticks of wood,
Sweet-scented stuff when the breeze drew across it.
And from there those that lifted eyes could count
Five mountain ranges one behind the other
Under the sunset far into Vermont.
And the saw snarled and rattled, snarled and rattled,
As it ran light, or had to bear a load.
And nothing happened: day was all but done.
Call it a day, I wish they might have said
To please the boy by giving him the half hour
That a boy counts so much when saved from work.
His sister stood beside them in her apron
To tell them "Supper." At the word, the saw,
As if to prove saws knew what supper meant,
Leaped out at the boy's hand, or seemed to leap-
He must have given the hand. However it was,
Neither refused the meeting. But the hand!
The boy's first outcry was a rueful laugh,
As he swung toward them holding up the hand
Half in appeal, but half as if to keep
The life from spilling. Then the boy saw all-
Since he was old enough to know, big boy
Doing a man's work, though a child at heart-
He saw all spoiled. "Don't let him cut my hand off-
The doctor, when he comes. Don't let him, sister!"
So. But the hand was gone already.
The doctor put him in the dark of ether.
He lay and puffed his lips out with his breath.
And then-the watcher at his pulse took fright.
No one believed. They listened at his heart.
Little-less-nothing!-and that ended it.
No more to build on there. And they, since they
Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs.

 

 

Howl Imitation

I saw a generation that was more worried about "making it big" than working hard for their money.

Who thought "Honey Boo-Boo" and "16 and pregnant" were more acceptable television than "7th Heaven".

I saw a generation who did not believe in disciplining their children, yet complained when they were  out of control.

Who bought water bottled from a store, yet complained about having too much waste.

Who drank coffee and caffeine like crazy, then had to have a prescription to help them sleep.

Whose children wanted for nothing, then complain because the are spoiled.

I saw hard working people lose their jobs while the government said everything would all work out.

Who worried where the next meal would come from, called lazy because they could not find a job.

Who could not get help from the government, so had to choose between feeding their family, or paying the electric bill.

Who could not live the American dream.

I saw violence out of control, with no real solution except to violate law abiding citizens.

Who could not have a "fair" fight, or feel safe even speaking their minds.

Who were more concerned with appearance than ethical behavior.

Who stepped on any toes possible to make it to the top.

Imagist

Alarm clock


The seconds tick by
Impatiently waiting to be heard

Sestina

Sitting in the middle of the lake,
relaxing on the boat.
Soaking up the sunshine
while enjoying the light breeze.
Talking with the family,
and brushing away the sand.

Stepping on the sand,
as I jump into the lake.
Splashing the family
who remain on the boat.
As the waves moved in the breeze,
they reflect the sunshine.

The heat is radiating from the sunshine.
The trees are buried in the sand,
swaying in the breeze.
The depth of the lake
was apparent from inside the boat.
Quality time unmistakable with the family.

The smiles and laughter coming from the family,
along with the ever lasting sunshine,
made the time in the boat
priceless. The pebbles and the sand
stuck to my feet, and the lake
was calling my name. Our faces welcoming the breeze.

The quieting of the breeze
sent a message to the family.
It was time to ski on the lake!
The glaring of the sunshine
bounced off the sand,
blinding everyone on the boat.

The rocking of the boat
knocked against the dock, as the breeze
lightly touched the water. I sat in the sand
as the family
soaked up the sunshine
and played in the lake.

The boat sat quietly as the family
enjoyed the breeze. Clouds bringing a welcomed break from the sunshine,
as the sand sank into the lake.

Unexpected Ode

Ode to the picture frame

You hold 
my loved ones
tight,
watching over them
as I sleep.
Making sure
they are safe
and secure.
The family
hang proud
surrounded by
your beauty.
Standing tall
behind the couch,
engulfed
by the beauty
and smiles.

Literary Litany

This is for my husband, the construction worker.





You are the works shirts and the jeans,
the boots and the grease.
You are the concrete
and the mud.
You are the Packers fan,
and the Reeces peanut butter cup.

However, you are not the flowers,

bubble baths,
or massages.

And you are certainly not pretty pink bows.
There is just no way that you are pretty pink bows.

It is possible that you are wise,
maybe even funny,
but you are not even close
to being a Giants fan .

And a quick look in the mirror will show
that you are neither the dress shirt
nor the tie.

It might interest you to know,
speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world,
that I am the Giants fan.

I also happen to be the warmth,
the summer,
and the sunshine.

I am also the coffee beans

and the caramel.
But don't worry, I'm not the work shirts and the jeans.
You are still the work shirts and the jeans.
You will always be the work shirts and the jeans,
not to mention the mud and--somehow--the Packers fan.