Describe one of the strongest literary images (not a picture or drawing from the reading) you encountered from any of the following literature:
⚫ from Of Wolves and Men by Barry Holstun Lopez
• "Birches" by Robert Frost
• "Haiku" by Kaga no Chiyo
• "Haiku" by Basho
"Spring is like a perhaps hand" by E.E. Cummings
from An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
⚫ "The Deadliest Tsunami in History?" by National Geographic News
• "Orphans Give Indian Couple Will to Live; 2004 Tsunami Killed Their Son, Two Daughters" by Shaikh Azizur Rahman
"Wave" by Dale Wisely
One of the strongest literary images I encountered is from the poem "Wave" by Dale Wisely. The poem describes a powerful, relentless wave that serves as a metaphor for the inevitable passage of time and the subsequent loss of youth and innocence.
In the poem, Wisely writes, "The wave, unstoppable, takes / Everything with it. It is / Water and also the end / Of warm nights and cinnamon / And the little laughed / Futures of two kids, / The older, one." This image of the wave as a devourer of everything in its path is incredibly vivid and striking.
The wave is portrayed as a force that sweeps away not only physical objects but also intangible aspects of life, such as warmth, laughter, and hope for the future. It symbolizes the inescapable march of time and the ultimate futility of trying to hold onto fleeting moments of happiness and innocence.
This image leaves a lasting impression on the reader, evoking a sense of loss and the bittersweet nature of life. It serves as a reminder of the impermanence of all things and the need to appreciate and cherish the present moment before it too is washed away by the relentless wave of time.
One of the strongest literary images that I encountered is from the poem "Wave" by Dale Wisely.
The poem begins with the line: "A hundred horses come down upon me in the dark, it is as if one brazenly white mare breaks free."
This powerful image conveys the magnitude and force of the wave metaphorically, comparing it to a stampede of a hundred horses. The use of the word "brazenly" suggests the wave's audacity and boldness as it overtakes the speaker. The color white symbolizes purity and stark contrast, emphasizing the wave's overwhelming presence in the dark and symbolizing its destructive power.
This vivid imagery allows readers to visualize the intensity and impact of the wave, creating a sense of danger and awe at its enormity. It effectively captures the emotional and physical experience of encountering a massive and relentless force of nature.
One of the strongest literary images that I encountered is from the poem "Birches" by Robert Frost. In this poem, Frost describes a scene where he sees birch trees bending down as if someone had been "swinging" on them. He presents the image of a young boy swinging on the birch trees and then describes how the weight of the boy's body causes the trees to bend. Frost goes on to describe the experience of climbing these trees and the sense of escape and freedom it provides.
To find this literary image, you can read the poem "Birches" by Robert Frost. You can easily find this poem online or in an anthology of Frost's works. As you read, focus on the descriptions and imagery used by Frost to depict the birch trees and the boy swinging on them. Pay attention to the words and phrases used to create a visual image in your mind. Take note of the emotions and sensations evoked by the imagery as well.
By engaging with the text and paying close attention to the specific details and language used by the author, you will be able to identify and describe this strong literary image from "Birches" by Robert Frost.