Poetry Project
Dreaming-Isaac Korce
My eyes seemed to be fixed on the landing crafts wake.
For what seemed like hour’s we approached the beach.
Nervousness and nausea forced soldier’s legs to shake.
Everyone fiddled with their weapons before breech.
People change when life is on the line.
Mellow boys turn to battlefield heroes.
The nerves of men flex as if they were spline
A man is reduced to nothing but zeroes.
The things you hear on the way there.
Moans and groans of the men who won’t return.
The sound of desperation whispers through the air.
These sounds singe themselves into my skin like that of a
burn.
Fight for those who cannot fight themselves.
The lieutenant yelled as we prepared for landing.
Bodies littered the beach in menacing shelves.
The lander bumped vigorously leaving few standing.
The memories of death and screaming.
The tales of valor and killing.
Deadly shrapnel and bullet casings teaming.
Grown men wobble like a weak yearling.
Baby steps and cowering.
Is all some could
muster.
Guns are all that’s empowering.
Mortar shells force men to cluster.
The beach was just the beginning
Victory was earned and there was no surrender
Raised hands lead to merciless sinning
When the day ended there was no offender
I remembered everything.
My eyes slid open
from a dream.
I seemed to remember everything.
Old men seem to remember everything.
My poem was inspired greatly from readings such as Kurt
Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five. The themes that this book had about war and
what soldiers go through are strongly illustrated throughout my poem. My great
grandfather was in the battle of Normandy and he has many stories as well as
pictures of things that I touch on in my poem. These two inspirations combined
gave me a whirlwind of ideas and emotions to build off of. My great grandfather’s
memories and the way he remembered them gave me inspiration to have my main
idea be about how war veterans remember what they did and went through. This
theme can incorporate many different emotions and themes that otherwise could
not all be mixed. For example I have a line “Old men remember everything”. This
line is a major change in the poem and is very important to the message.
There is much imagery in this poem and it is the powerful
poetic device by far. The Imagery in the poem creates a vivid war scene. The
Imagery also however embraces the memories of an old war veteran. The imagery
really plays depicting emotional scenes. Such as “These sounds singe themselves
into my skin like that of a burn.” I also use many metaphors to create vivid
images. I use one or two metaphors; although these are few they are very
powerful in my poem. The language however is the strongest part of my poem it
really creates a well-rounded and balanced poem. Words such as merciless,
empowering, and cowering, is found throughout the poem.
“There is war going on for your mind” is a song by the
Flobots. This song put into kinetic text was my performance inspiration. This
was very inspiring because of the way the images and repetition were displayed
made the message much more powerful. The form I chose to represent my poem
isn’t exactly kinetic text but it has a powerful message and uses similar
effects. This form with images and audio is going to be very powerful because I
am depicting in my poem a lot of world war two war scenes that with pictures
become way more powerful. The imagery is what I think will greatly be effected
by the images. The Flobots did a great job creating a powerful kinetic text
because of the way they showed repetition and improved imagery through photos.
This example really made me understand what good performances look like.
There are many ways unjust situations emerge from our society of humans. Every place has one unjust situation or another, and everyone has a different way of handling it. Unjust situations bring out the best and worst in people. Through the techniques that have emerged when it comes down to fixing unjust situations there have been two main categories non-violence and violence. Through both of these strategies success has been found but if you want a quick decisive victory with no compromises violent means is the only way. Means of violence are the fastest and most effective way in changing an unjust situation, as long as it is done in a controlled manner.
Non-violence has played its roles during the 20th century and even today it is a useful tool in getting an unjust situation changed. The most famous example of non- violence occurred in India under Gandhi’s hand. This was the first time that non-violence had been effective on such a large scale. However in this campaign it took roughly 25 years for Gandhi’s methods to change anything in India. After the people of India had gained control of their country, fighting broke out between the Hindu’s and Muslim’s. Only through Gandhi’s fast did the violence stop. The people that India was breaking away from were the British. The British used India as a place to harvest raw materials and make money through trade. Britain made a lot of money off of their colony India, but I don’t think that if they had made a deal with Gandhi and the people of India eventually India would have been taken by force and the British would have lost the potential to make more money. In a way I think that Britain made this deal just so they could continue to make money off of India instead of dealing with angry people and incompetent workers.
Virtues of non- violence have been appreciated and acknowledged throughout the world. However non-violence does not always achieve changing an unjust situation. Nelson Mandela and the campaign he was involved in is a perfect example of this. In South Africa non-violence had gone on for several years and didn’t achieve in changing an unjust situation. In fact in many ways things got worse than better because of the peoples non-violence methods. South Africa was a mess and nelson seeing that nothing was being changed took charge and began using sabotage to rebel against the government. Nelson was put in prison because of the acts of sabotage he was accused of. The people of South Africa that were oppressed began their campaign with non-violence and changed to violent methods to achieve their victory. Even with the majority of the people in South Africa wining through violent means wasn’t easy for the people but eventually they gained their independence and equal rights in a constitution 1996.
Violent means of changing an unjust situation have been frowned upon by society but also encouraged. Violence has changed a lot of unjust situations but also has created unjust situations as well so it is a very controversial debate whether violent means should be used or not. Non-violence definitely has its place; however violent methods are the best way to change an unjust situation. In the seminar there were so many people make the argument that if violence is used to change an unjust situation that more suffering would come from it and the country would not be any better. Hearing this I disagreed with a passion, the American Revelation was a perfect counter example. The people who lived in the colonies of Britain were being oppressed by the King of England. So the people first began with protesting and boycotting the unjust laws that were put upon them, but soon turned to violence because they realized that nothing could be done by non-violent means. The people of America rebelled with guerrilla warfare and an untrained army. Through their will and the help of other countries the people of America gained their independence and then flourished without any other major conflicts for years. So with that, it proved that there could be peace in a country after a violent conflict. It also came apparent that with the ocean between the thirteen colonies and England it was very hard for them to interfere after they had lost the war with the new America. The American Revolution was not the only example of when non-violent methods of changing an unjust situation have turned violent. A statement Nelson Mandela made during his trial describes why he turned violent.” We first broke the law in a way which avoided any recourse to violence; when this form was legislated against, and then the government resorted to a show of force to crush opposition to its policies, only then did we answer violence with violence.” This represents both what makes someone go to violent measures in order to change an unjust situation but also that there is a point in which violent measures become necessary.
With violent means comes responsibilities to both party you represent (country, government, family, etc.) but also to humanity. Violent means are the best way to change an unjust situation but they also need to be taken care of with the upmost delicacy. During the seminar it was also strongly presented that method of violence were an act against humanity. I agree that killing or violently injuring someone is never good, but when people have been treated unjustly I feel as though violence can be justified. Through-out history people have been oppressed and the method that almost all of these people have used to change their unjust situation is through violent methods. These methods have ranged from violent riots to devastating sabotage. The methods as long as they are necessary can be justified, an example of an act of violence that was unnecessary was the violence that occurred during the Liberian civil war, and the violence went on for years only to end up not changing anything but killing thousands of people on both sides. There was also many cases were innocent people were bombed because they were in the midst of this conflict. There are many types of violence; some are acceptable some are not. However where is that line from meaningful violence to terror and devastation? Nelson Mandela had a lot of insight on what violent methods were available to him.” Four forms of violence were possible. There is sabotage, there is guerilla warfare, there is terrorism, and there is open revolution.” These are the types of violence Nelson Mandela referred to during his trial statement. Nelson took the least harmful route when he rebelled with sabotage. Nelson goes on to talk about how he planned to use this type of violence not to injure anyone but to damage power plants and railroads to scare away potential investors that would give the government more power. With what Nelson had to say about violence it became clear that the line is drawn at what will help your country and what would do more damage. For example if Nelson had rebelled with guerilla war or open revolution there would have been no peace between the whites and blacks in South Africa even after the government’s destruction.
Violence is never something that should be taken up lightly. However when the cause is just and non-violent methods have no effect violence is the most effective way to change an unjust situation. There points in which the line is crossed those who can’t rebel through violent means and those who aren’t involved the innocent, should not be killed. Without sacrifice and the will of the people who are desperate for change, changing an unjust situation is almost impossible. However when the cause is just and the people who are being oppressed come together great things can be done to change an unjust situation.
Being Peace
The meaning of happiness is something different to everybody. However the general meaning of happiness is positive emotions that you are content with. So with these trainings they incorporate many rules which limit the way you can prevent someone else’s happiness. In these mindfulness trainings there aren’t any specific trainings that focus on making yourself happy. So in my opinion I believe it is possible not to be a happier person. Now these trainings by all means have the potential to make you happier but without looking closer at them I am not sure.
“Aware of true happiness is rooted in place, solidity, freedom, and compassion, and not in wealth or fame, we are determined not to take as the aim of our life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure, nor to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dyeing.” This quote is from the fifth mindfulness training. To me this represents both my counterargument as well as reasons to why you would be happier. Happiness is summed up by these words freedom, compassion, etc. However I think that the idea not to want to be famous or rich could cause unhappiness. Having people forget their ambitions just to reach enlightenment doesn’t seem very happy to me. The conclusion that has come to me about these trainings is that if you desire to follow and be a part of them than they will make you a happier person. If follow the trainings because you think it will bring you a happier life and just that, you will not find more happiness.
The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
I think the reason why people walk away from omelas is because of a guilt that they no longer can bear. The guilt comes from knowing about the child who is stuck under the basement without a hope of escape. I think that these people who walk away are sick of celebrating and being involved In this whimsical society knowing that this child is given no hope of being normal. Whatever reason the child is in the basement it must be significant otherwise he wouldn’t be in their. However I think that people would never question why the child was in there if it was that important. I think that the people leave to go anywhere where guilt free life awaits them. Due to the fact that all the life they have ever known has been without significant sacrifice and has been under the guilt of the child in the basement. I think that these people go to have a normal life one with sacrifice and hardships but much joy as well.
I believe the author uses the doubt in the story of omelas to give the story a more interesting perspective. I think by adding these questions to the story it gives the author more mystery and makes it much harder to tell what is going on in the story. The author could also be sincere and think that we actually believe in the description of the city. I think that the description has a big part of the main ideas conveyed throughout the story. I believe the author about her descriptions of omelas, however im weary about the people who walk away. Its not certain to me weather the reason why they walk away is because of the boy or because of omelas.
Jihad vs Mcworld
Mcworld is a term created by a man named Benjamin Barber. Mcworld is globalization, peace, equality, prosperity, and technology. Mcworld brings countries together in through these common objects of life. Mcworld takes all religions and all economic levels. Mcworld does not have a certain type of government but will adapt to whatever serves its purposes best. Well Mcworld provides peace and prosperity for the people who live in a Mcworld dominant country. Jihad countries live for their independence and small communities. Mcworld may eliminate some of their culture but Mcworld is the future and progress. I believe that Mcworld overall is a better thing for the people of the world. My poster is supposed to take the idea of how Jihad tries to stop Mcworld with indirect as well as direct fighting. Our poster shows a big old tree with many words as branches that describe Mcworld. We have Jihad shown as a man cutting the tree down with an axe. My poster shows the idea of how negative the effects are of jihad on Mcworld. We used a creative title to give more sway to the propaganda part of my poster.
All Quiet on The Western Front Seminar Reflection
During the seminar many questions came up and many thoughts and opinions were voiced several of which I agreed with others I gracefully disagreed. One of the many things that were discussed was if the novel was an anti-war novel or not. My original opinion on the matter was that it was not an anti-war novel. After the seminar my opinion was changed I still think that this book is war not anti-war or pro war. I feel as though I think of war as a horrible thing, in other words I am anti-war now. I really feel as though the events in the book were accurate and I don’t think anyone should have to kill in order to live if that makes sense. The other topic I felt that I was able to talk about with relative opinions was the horse’s death. I shared the thought that horses don’t kill horses, humans kill horses whether they want to die or not. And I believe this is the reason why the soldiers felt bad. Humans have been killing each other for thousands of years but humans aren’t used to watching things that they love but can’t understand die because they simply use them as a tool. These are my reactions to the main topics discussed during the seminar.
This book showed me many things about war that I did not expect nor desire to know but it was also beautiful in ways that are very difficult to explain. The amount of violence and hate in war is something I am well aware about. The ways that the soldiers deal with it however is what surprised me in All Quiet on the Western Front. For example when Kemmerich dies and they are sad and upset they have a little fight over who will get his boots. I found that part a little bit disturbing and yet I found it to be part of a possible theme. This theme that I am finding is that throughout the entire book War rages everywhere yet the characters are always finding risky ways to have a little bit of normal lives. I just find that is interesting how soldiers can go through such horrors and still attempt to have fun and enjoy in parts of their lives there missing out on.
Soldiers in world war one had a lot to be scared of and a lot of times throughout the book I felt as though the main characters hardly ever showed this. In ways the soldiers used each other to confine what they were sad about or whether they were confused or not. I didn’t understand how there could be so much death and pain yet they never cried or wanted to leave. Paul always astonished me with how easy his opinion was swayed. Especially with the killing of that one guy inside the artillery shell hole. Paul feels horrible about it and wishes to see the man's wife and see what he can do to make her life better but then when he talks to his crew about it he suddenly is able to justify it under war is war reasoning. It just shocks me how easily persuadable Paul is I understand that he is young but he is very susceptible to other people’s opinions and reasoning for who he should be. These are things that surprised me and I did not expect to be in the book.
When we talked about how all the soldiers were upset when the horses were screaming I could relate this to a book and movie that I had read and watched. Where the Red Fern Grows is one of my favorite books and movie yet it has a similar idea that All Quiet on the Western Front has. And this is how upset soldiers get at seeing and hearing horses dying but not for their fellow comrades. In Where the Red Fern Grows a boy dies from falling on an axe and he upset but not disrupted or horrified but when his dog dies and is horribly wounded it is a major deal and makes the boy upset for a very long time.
Slaughterhouse Five
In this book the main character or protagonist is Billy Pilgrim. The book starts out about his war experiences and then from their the book skips back and fourth throughout time. The book doesn't target any specific events during his life, yet still makes every single event form the same theme or idea. The book is very confusing and takes much thinking about to really wrap your head about the main ideas or truths expressed about war.
Well the truth of war in this Book in not easily obtained or identified. The Truth is different for everyone, however a similar message or idea is obtained. The idea that i found or formed while reading this book about war is that you make it what you want. You cant always control what you do or what happens but when things do happen it is all about how you react and i think this is what this book really touches on.
