Here is another poem:
the competition-by patricia young
At times the competition was fierce
between Cheri and me.
Had to be equal in all things.
Neither could bear
that the other could run
faster, picker a raspberry bush cleaner,
that the other's mind could scrape
the bottom of language, discover
the only seven-letter word
comprised entirely
of consonants.
Take skipping, take double dutch.
If she jumped 421 times without stopping
I'd jump 422, maybe 423, before collapsing on the pavement.
Compared report cards, number of cavities, valentines. Take boys.
We don't need them, we've got eachother.~this text is italically written
Dear Cheri: Your cupped hands held me like water. Can't remember when we began slipping through each other's fingers.
Questions:
what's the message in this narrarative poem?
The message in this narrarative poem is that it tells you that friendship can have many angles to it. On one side it's good and on the other it's bad. Frienship can have the emotions love and hatred. In friendship you can develop the feeling of wanting to be the "best". With this feeling, you won't gain much, but lose a lot.
Can you please reword this or point me to the right direction of what is actually being asked. I don't like my first sentence; it kind of looks awkward.
What poetic devices do you notice in it?
-simile-cupped hand
-allusion
Are there any other poetic devices in here. All your help will be appreciated, thanks
Sorry, I forgot about the other two questions here they are:
what is the poet suggesting by using "Dear Cheri" in the last stanza?
I don't really understand this question.
how effective for you is the imagery in the last stanza?
Very effective because it gets you to visualise of how cheri and her friend were always together with eachother, until that jealously began to take place and seperation made place.
Any other info would be appreciated, thanks
You're doing great! I don't see anything awkward about your first sentence.
Isn't this a poetic device?
"could scrape
the bottom of language"
would that be an onomatopheia or personification?
could you also help me with the suggesting one
I see the "Dear Cheri" line as being a way of breaking off their friendship. Perhaps competition is not a good foundation for a friendship.
I don't think it's either onomatopheia or personification. Isn't "scrape the bottom of language" an example of metaphor?
Thank you Ms. Sue:-)
You're welcome, Sara.
In addition to the simile and allusion mentioned, there are other poetic devices present in the poem "The Competition" by Patricia Young. Here are a few more:
1. Imagery: The poem uses vivid and descriptive language to create mental images. For example, "run faster, pick a raspberry bush cleaner" paints a clear image of the competition between the speaker and Cheri.
2. Repetition: The repetition of certain phrases or ideas adds emphasis and rhythm to the poem. For instance, the repetition of "Neither could bear" highlights the intensity of the competition between the two friends.
3. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is used to exaggerate the extent of the competition or achievement. When the speaker says, "If she jumped 421 times without stopping, I'd jump 422, maybe 423, before collapsing on the pavement," it is an exaggerated statement to emphasize the speaker's determination to outdo Cheri.
4. Personification: The poem personifies the minds of the speaker and Cheri by suggesting that their minds "scrape the bottom of language." This gives human characteristics to their thoughts and highlights their intellectual rivalry.
5. Symbolism: The cupped hands mentioned in the line "Dear Cheri: Your cupped hands held me like water" can be seen as a symbol of support, care, and intimacy shared between the friends.
It's important to note that poetry is subjective, and different readers may interpret poetic devices differently or identify additional ones.