Evacuee - with a personal voice

I had a really great discussion in class today with all of you. I will post the next poem we're looking at here soon.

For the time being though, I have found a song by Enya with the same title "Evacuee" which is written from a personal point of view. Perhaps you would like share your thoughts on this song and comment on how the change of tone (from a rather impersonal one in the Shilling's poem to the personal tone in Enya's song) affected your reading of the song.

Evacuee
by Enya

Each time on my leaving home
I run back to my mother's arms,
one last hold and then it's over.
Watching me, you know I cry,
you wave a kiss to say goodbye,
Feel the sky fall down upon me!
All I am,
a child with promises
All I have
are miles full of promises of home.
If only I could stay with you,
my train moves on, you're gone from view,
Now I must wait until it's over.
Days will pass, your words to me,
it seems so long; eternity,
but I must wait until it's over.

"Evacuee"

A case stood in the hall
outlining the weight
of fear,
her doll felt cold,
she knew then
it had always been dead.
She left it
on the pillow,
heir to the wall-paper
roses and wolly-dog.

Shadows clung
to her clothes at the door,
light struck bone.
She walked unshaded
down streets,
climbed a train and watched
the receding
lamps of platform faces.

The lady was kind,
wove stories
with tinsel thread;
but the texture of her voice was strange,
her mouth
seemed painted on wax;
the smile ran red.

1. What are your feelings towards the girl? You must make close reference to different parts of the poem when describing and explaining your feelings towards her.

2. How has the poet's use of the impersonal tone affected your reading of the poem?

Number your responses accordingly. You can also raise questions or comment on the other features of this poem.

Last Stanza of "Three Beserah Fishermen"

do not make this wind our hangman
the sea where our souls are soaked
and our hearts are buried,
where they cannot find us.

So what do you make of this last stanza? What is the poet trying to say?

Anyone would like to comment on the use of punctuation too?

Joy Luck Club

Do label all posts pertaining to JLC with this label so that we can track the discussions or search the posts more easily.

EOTP

Do label all posts pertaining to EOTP with this label so that we can track the discussions or search the posts more easily.

The Ten Commandments

1. Thou shall participate actively in the discussions.

2. Thou shall use Standard English as far as possible.

3. Thou shall respect all opinions expressed.

4. Thou shall assume full responsibility for thy posts.

5. Thou shall not engage in personal flamming.

6. Thou shall post only Literature-related topics and materials.

7. Thou shall not use offensive language.

8. Thou shall substantiate and explain your opinions as far as possible.

9. Thou shall not make this blog public.

10. Thou shall label your posts appropriately.

After ONE entire year ...

I finally got our blog going! :)

Please post your gmail address here (if you do not have one yet, you will need to sign up for one here) so that I can add you as a contributor for this blog.

As this blog is primarily set up to strengthen our love for literature (and help all of us achieve our distinctions!!!), I will have to set some ground rules in order for this blog to serve its function. I will go into greater detail in my next post.

For the time being, let me just welcome you to our blog and I look forward to your active participation! :)