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The 5 Stages Of Writing A Poetry Explication When You Are Not a Poet

When you realize that even dense purple prose is easier to analyze.

Jane Niland

Oct 09, 2018

Rider University Millennials of New Jersey

104

The 5 Stages Of Writing A Poetry Explication When You Are Not a Poet

vandamesiarikova / Flickr

Guess what I have to do this week? You guessed it, explain a poem in a paper. And while I like reading poetry, writing it and analyzing it is the worst. There are definitely people out there who disagree with me, but it's because they have the talent that I lack.

1. Denial

It can't be that hard, right? A one-page minimum shouldn't be too hard. And besides, the poem I'm doing is one of my favorites by that author, wait no, one of my favorite poems ever. "Annabel Lee." It'll be fun.

2. Anger

Wait a minute, what's all this metre nonsense? And rhythm? This doesn't even have a set rhyme scheme! I don't know anything about this, I've never been proficient in poetry, or even music! GAH!

3. Bargaining

Well, I can't change the poem now, and the alternatives aren't as great. Maybe if I just ignore that rhyming and rhythm stuff for now and focus on the literary stuff I know, it will be easier. And maybe I'll figure out why there's a weird rhyme scheme.

4. Depression

This is still quite the task... And usually once I look at these things, I never want to again, isn't that sad? But I really like this poem and I don't want that to happen. Yet... why?

5. Acceptance

I have to do this anyway, it's a part of my grade, and it's not like it's a 10-page essay or anything. Or god forbid I chose a poem with 10 stanzas or 20 lines per stanza. These things usually turn out fine, and even if they don't, I have time to bring up my grade. Just get the literary themes, the history, attempt the metre, and it'll be OK.

Yes, poetry can be daunting, but once you get the hang of at least the basics... the paper will be passable.

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The 5 Stages Of Writing A Poetry Explication When You Are Not a Poet

When you realize that even dense purple prose is easier to analyze.

1. Denial

2. Anger

3. Bargaining

4. Depression

5. Acceptance

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

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1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

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8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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