Second Poem “Fredrick Douglass”

The reason why I chose these two poems is because it’s Black History Month, known as “African American History Month”. It’s to pay tribute to generations before us who scuffled with adversity; even recognize heritage, achievements and culture. My first poem is “Phenomenal Women”, by Mya Angelou.

I honestly believe that every woman can relate to this poem. Throughout, each stanza you tell that Mya was confident in everything. Angelou quoted, “It’s in the reach of my arms….

The curl of my lips” states the parts that she appraises to be confident within herself. I’m glad that Mya Angelou wrote this because a lot of women/girls feel insecure about themselves. As I read each stanza, you can tell through Angelou’s words she illustrates imagery, tone, first person point of view and symbolism.

Mya Angelou uses imagery; imagery gives the poem sense. Synonym for images, pictures, hearing, smell, taste or touch can be how poet describes imagery within the poem.

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Lines 22-25, “It’s fire in my eyes, and the flash of my teeth, the swing in my waist and joy in my feet”. Angelou is relating to how she views herself, and inner strength. Even in stanza 3, “The sun of my smile” is image but, also simile because she used “like”. In other words, Angelou is explaining light and joy of her beauty in her smile. Tone, tone is the attitude the poet presents in the poem and it can change as the poem goes along.

In the first stanza, I see tone through her compassion, relating to other women and when she says, “Pretty women”. Furthermore, at the end of each stanza it quotes, “Phenomenally, Phenomenal women, That’s me” (11-13). This statement just shows how proud she is to be a woman and phenomenal she is with being herself. Next, Symbolism is action, object, place or word within the poem. “Honeybee” in stanza 2, represents symbol because bees are attracted to sweets (honey). Which Angelou tries to explain that the men were drawn to her behavior. Also, poem its self is feminist or female empowerment. The reason behind this is that she’s very happy with the way she looks, embraces other women and no one can take her confidence away.

Reading “Fedrick Douglass” by Robert Hayden focused on Fredrick Douglass. Fredrick was a slave, activist, author and public speaker. He was also known for leading the abolitionists movement that ended before the civil war. Throughout, the poem I saw repetition, imagery and similes. Even the poem speaks of history and political struggle that was faced. First off, Hayden used repetition at the beginning line 1. Repetition repeats the same phrase or words to become memorable in the poem. Example, “When it is finally ours, this freedom, this liberty, this beautiful”. As you can see Hayden is repeating “this”. In other words, he is explaining that having liberty and freedom as a black slave is a beautiful thing.

Next, Robert Hayden used simile in his poem as well. Simile is a figure of speech that compares two or more things; uses “like” or “as”. Hayden quoted from lines 2 and 3, “needful to man as air, usable as earth; when it belongs at last to all”. I believe that any slave especially men need liberty and freedom. Then, I cam across imagery. Imagery is collections of images in a story, poem or play. Imagery brings the text to life when reading. In line 4 Hayden quotes, “when it's truly instinct brain matter, diastole, systole'. Robert Hayden is saying that you are truly free when it becomes instinct. By using imagery, Hayden used poetic device because you can use this tool to create a rhythm, escalate the mood (emotion) and enhance the meaning of the poem.

Then, reading the rest of the poem I felt that freedom and liberty are important things. Hayden quoted, 'when it is finally won; when it is more than the gaudy mumbo jumbo of politicians' lines 5 and 6. Hayden is saying that freedom is just more than politician. Furthermore, this poem is showing how Fredrick Douglass cared about everyone, welling to help and a very brave person. Another quote lines 7-11, ' this man, this Douglass, this former slave, this Negro beaten to his knees, exiled, visioning a world where none is lonely, none hunted, alien, this man, superb in love and logic, this man shall be remembered'. This explained how Fredrick Douglass was treated and worthless; but Douglass was a man of God and it showed how he viewed others to be equal and as one.

These two poems will enhance your poetry skills by improving your writing. Everyone needs to know how to write, it helps communicate with others, shows how the meaning of words will impact your word of choice. Second, enhance your network, your different point of view or how you view your life. Last, I feel that you need to develop critical thinking. Because, when you read someone else work you’ll find words that has a deep meaning and provide insight into your own emotions.