Non-Fiction

Final Journey for a Fallen Soldier

Tai Brown

808

Every year a young man or female turns into a soldier and fights for his or her country in different countries around the globe such as Afghanistan. It’s nearly every day when their families will receive a member returning or receiving the news of their death from a close friend or a sergeant from base, “almost every other day in the past 12 years, an American soldier has died there”. The most recent death was of Sgt. Peter C. Bohler, the cause of Bohler’s death was a helicopter crash in Baghlan Province in december. Many soldiers have been confirmed dead in the line of duty, “more than 2,300 American  soldiers died in Afghanistan”. There are many brave people to put their life in danger for this country. “President Obama said that most of the 28,000 U.S. troops left in Afghanistan will return by the end of 2014 and America’s longest war will finally be over”.

Final Poem and reflection

“A Friend”

It’s a small place

bright, but small.

There was always that one friend that would run to me

play with me

hug me at troubled times.

When our eyes meet

there’s a collision of warmth

happiness

friendship.

Reflection:

The process of writing a poem was very much different to me because I had to be open up in my details. I learned that writing poems include being descriptive, that was the number one thing I had problems with when making a story, allowing the reader to paint a picture in his or her mind. I want them to think about it as if they were dreaming. This unit on poetry has truly helped me develop my skills in detail. In addition, the process was definitely challenging for me because I needed some inspiration. I first started out with paintings I have found on the internet. Finally I see a little girl with a bunny and decided to create something out of those two subjects.

In this unit I’ve learned that writing poems most importantly needs to include imagery for it be understood. To me poetry reflects life because it paints an image in your mind, and it almost seems that you are in what’s being read.  Our last lesson before the poetry was due was most memorable to me because it has taught me a lot on how to be more specific and include details on what the setting is etc. We used words such as why, how, what, where, and many other words to describe the setting better. Poetry has taught be how to become a better writer when it comes to understanding (theme) and details about why it’s being written.

Poetry

“A Friend”

It’s a small place

bright, but small.

There was always that one friend that would run to me

play with me

hug me at troubled times.

When our eyes meet

there’s a collision of warmth

happiness

friendship.

final essay

Poetry Essay

Poetry has many spectacular meanings toward some things such as friendship, love, and hope. To me poetry reflects life because of how detailed it is and how it can change the emotions of people. It’s simple words can just make a person smile or become more relaxed. Sometimes they can be terrifying, but possible all at once. In Please Don’t Take My Air Jordans by Reg e. Gaines, it reflects life because it explicitly shows the life of a person who's trying to be someone they really aren’t. That kind of behavior can cause crime, peer pressure, and makes you realize that the little things are much more important than bigger things in life.

To begin with, the poem shows readers the life of a teen go through a lot in order to get new gear (clothing, shoes, hats, and jackets), even if it’s a crime. “I fired (POW), he fell between two parked cars he was coughing/crying/blood dripped on the street and I snatched them air jordans off his feet”. This proves that some people would go through anything it takes to get whatever they want. In addition, he’s also poor “I gots no money no job” and i’m beginning this is a judgement thing. He’s obviously trying to be someone he’s not by getting gear by crime so that he wouldn’t be judge based on the person he really is.

Secondly, the poem shows the readers that the little things are much more important than the much more bigger things in life. “Cut school friday catch the subway downtown check out my victims hanging around maybe I’ll get lucky and find easy prey”. This proves that looking cool toward other people was more important than school “the very next day I bopped into school with my brand new air jordans man I was cool, I killed to get them but hey...I don’t care cuz now… I needs a new jacket to wear”. In addition, this is also related to crime because he killed to get his new gear and that it seems more important than school because he was able to cut school and get new gear so that he’s able to look cool.

Finally, the poem shows the readers that peer pressure can also play a part when it comes to becoming someone you really aren’t. For starters this just comes back to being judged. “I can’t have my posse laughin at me, I’ll cop something dope just wait you’ll see”. this is a sign of peer pressure because he is forced to get new clothing so that his so-called friends won’t laugh at him and to me that’s judgement. In addition, this proves that no matter what, the main person in the poem is willing to get more gear in order to defend his ego. However, in a way peer pressure was also included into crime because he was forced to kill that guy for his jordans. When being judged the pressure begins to build and cause you to do things you’d never expect.

This text connects to the world because there are a substantial amount of people that are in poverty and would do certain things to get what they want so that they aren’t judged in a bad way. In addition, this connect to the world because people sometimes are forced do things to get things like robbing another person for what they have.

1st Draft of Poetry Essay

Poetry has many spectacular meanings toward some things such as friendship, love, and hope. To me poetry reflects life because of how detailed it is and how it can change the emotions of people. It’s simple words can just make a person smile and become more relaxed. Sometimes they can be terrifying, but possible all at once. In Please Don’t Take My Air Jordans by Reg e. Gaines it reflects life because it explicitly shows the life of a person who's trying to be someone they really aren’t. That kind of behavior can cause crime, peer pressure, and makes you realize that the little things are much more important than bigger things in life.

To begin with, the poem shows readers the life of a teen go through a lot in order to get new gear (clothing, shoes, hats, and jackets), even if it’s a crime. “I fired (POW), he fell between two parked cars he was coughing/crying/blood dripped on the street and I snatched them air jordans off his feet”. This proves that some people would go through anything it takes to get whatever they want. In addition, he’s also poor “I gots no money no job” and i’m beginning this is a judgement thing. He’s obviously trying to be someone he’s not by getting gear by crime so that he wouldn’t be judge based on the person he really is.

Secondly, the poem shows the readers that the little things are much more important than the much more bigger things in life. “Cut school friday catch the subway downtown check out my victims hanging around maybe I’ll get lucky and find easy prey”. This proves that looking cool toward other people was more important than school “the very next day I bopped into school with my brand new air jordans man I was cool, I killed to get them but hey...I don’t care cuz now… I needs a new jacket to wear”. In addition, this is also related to crime because he killed to get his new gear and that it seems more important than school because he was able to cut school and get new gear so that he’s able to look cool.

Finally, the poem shows the readers that peer pressure can also play a part when it comes to becoming someone you really aren’t. For starters this just comes back to being judged. “I can’t have my posse laughin at me, I’ll cop something dope just wait you’ll see”. this is a sign of peer pressure because he is forced to get new clothing so that his so-called friends won’t laugh at him and to me that’s judgement. In addition, this proves that no matter what, the main person in the poem is willing to get more gear in order to defend his ego. However, in a way peer pressure was also included into crime because he was forced to kill that guy for his jordans. When being judged the pressure begins to build and cause you to do things you’d never expect.

This text connects to the world because there are a substantial amount of people that are in poverty and would do certain things to get what they want so that they aren’t judged in a bad way. In addition, this connect to the world because people sometimes are forced do things to get things like robbing another person for what they have.

Reading Response

How Does This Text Make You Think About Justice In The World? - Q3

In the book The Maze Runner by James Dashner, the world of  young individuals have finally realized everything has changed. Everyone for 2 years except Thomas and Teresa have been searching for a way out of the maze, but nothing was found. The day Thomas had finally became a runner, was the day he’d figured out that the only way to escape this maze was to follow the grievers back to it’s hideout. Minho and Thomas discovered that there was a secret portal also known as the griever hole. The gladers have noticed that ever since Teresa woke up, they have stopped receiving serum supplies. Now the Glade is surrounded by grievers and an old friend returns, Gally.

This text makes in think about justice in the world in many different ways. To begin with, this makes me think that the justice that were given to these children was kind out a new start, a way to cooperate with each other. Because when you think about it, it’s really a test for the creatures to see what these children are capable of when adapting to the fact they have no memory. These kids already believe that they are held captive at a prison “think about it. Our memory are wiped. We live inside a place that seems to have no way out, surrounded by bloodthirsty monster guards. Doesn’t that sound like prison to you?” (pg 64). This proves that  justice used toward these children is like an experiment for behavior studies or like a test.

In conclusion, justice can be shown in many different ways. This makes me think that sometimes justice can change the person you are today, based on the text. I mention that because they were able to have a new start and adapt to new surroundings. Sometimes or most of the time justice is an unfair thing. “George Michael Zimmerman (born October 5, 1983) is an American known for the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida.  On July 13, 2013, his trial for second-degree murder and manslaughter ended in acquittal”(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Zimmerman). This proves that justice was unfair as many would say. Many people believed that zimmerman should’ve gotten justice for his negative actions toward an unarmed child. This whole thing is to prove that decisions for justice may or not be fair and many people have different views when it comes to justice.

Non- Fiction Reading Response

Going To War: Who Decides?

Going to war: who decides, by Patricia Smith. “While a U.S. attack is on Syria is on hold, the debate over who gets to send american troops harm’s way continues” (Smith, Patricia). This article has shown me that the White House has planned to take immediate action against the Syrian government because of their use of military chemical weapons against their own people. According to the International treaty, the use of chemical weapons are banned. However, the choice of leading the troops into battle is unclear, until “he surprised many by asking congress to authorize an attack” (Upfront magazines, pg 6). Because of the Syrian government’s use of illegal weaponry toward citizens of Syria, we are looking toward another war.

Most people were able to take favorable sides on the actions that should be taken toward the Syrian government. “President Obama announced that he favored launching air strikes against the Syrian government for it’s use of chemical weapons” (Upfront Magazines, pg 6). This proves that some actions are being considered to use against Syria and their progress in planning for the attack. In addition, “A congressional vote was postponed while the U.S. and Russia brokered a deal to get Syria to relinquish it’s chemical weapons . The U.S. says that it may still launch strikes if Syria does not comply with the agreement” (Upfront magazines, pg 6) This proves that the U.S. and the Russian president tried to reason with Syria at first because they feel that this problem can be resolved.

In my opinion there shouldn’t be a war, any problem can be resolved. War can lead to death and sadness, that’s why I’m against it. According to the article A Summary of U.S. case against Syrian government “On the morning of Aug. 21, at 2:30 a.m. local time, multiple streams of intelligence including satellite images show a barrage of rocket and artillery fire was launched from regime-controlled territory into the Damascus suburbs where the chemical weapons attacks reportedly occurred, approximately 90 minutes before reports of the attack started appearing in social media from affected areas” (Dozier, Kimberly http://bigstory.ap.org). More than 100,000 Syrians have been killed due to the use of chemical weaponry. It’s sad when parents weep over the body of their that were killed in the attack. Innocent children died for something they didn’t do now their parents have to live with it forever, it’s torture.

In conclusion, the article Going to War: Who decides by patricia Smith has changed the way I now think about war and had made me aware of how war can affect many people and families. In addition, this article makes me wonder, what situations are other countries facing? And how is it being resolved without violence.