Writing is a voice that speaks to its audience. It is not just something that is read and forgotten. If it is well written and expresses its point it can have a great effect on people and there will be a reaction. By reading a piece of writing, a person may be influenced one way or another about a topic that they decide to get involved with and take into their own hands. Writing is a way to communicate with everyone no matter and no matter who they are they will come across it. If the writer knows how manipulate words and work with the text the piece will definitely be remembered by all. Words can help express an opinion in a non violent way.
Shirley Kaufman is a poet whose words really relay important message out to her readers. In her poem “Cyclamen” the people had to pay the consequences for not taking the signs of war returning into consideration. They sat back, didn’t speak up and didn’t take action about the signs that were being thrown in to their faces. The examples she uses through her poem and the way she made it flow like a story with the warning of danger in the beginning and the price the people paid at the end is what will make us remember her message forever.
“They are fragile, pale apparitions among the stones after the heavy rains, as if to tell us, "we're back, you have to take notice."
This quote from her poem uses descriptions that actually allow the reader to picture the meaning of the words as an image in their minds. That is her goal. Planting pictures with words is what makes them be more than just part of a piece of writing. It allows them to actually have an effect on the way a person lives their life.
Another one of my favorite poems that I read was “Speak Out” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. He uses a play on words which really made the poem stick in my head. The message came across and bit me in the nose due to his examples of all the people being called into war and dying because no one speaks. If we don’t use are talent of putting words together to express our opinion nothing will get accomplished. Actions will not always do the trick and neither will sitting back quietly. Sometimes it takes that one brave person to express themselves using their way of words in order for everyone else to do the same .If this non violent way of expressing an opinion is put off too long then it may become too late.
“All you lovers and sleepers
Deep in your private dreams
Now it is time for you to speak
O silent majority
Before they come for you”
The way Lawrence ended his poem wrapped up the whole point of the poem and left the audience with a lasting message that is powerful enough to stick with them forever. They have now learned a message they can use throughout the rest of their life and put into action.
In summary, writing does have the power to enact social change. Words can be used by anyone and be heard louder than any action that a person can do. Words are there for you to communicate and influence others while getting your point across, so use them!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Gabrielle's Price Of a Child
English III
Gabrielle DiCrosta 11/1
January 29,2009
The Price of a Child (New Ending)
Chapter 12 – Runaway… Family Astray
When Mercer and I finally returned back into the area from the speaking tour trip which generally went well, I dropped her off at Ziplha’s house where she would spend the next night or two. In the back off our heads we knew what we wanted to happen in life, we just had to find a way to make it all come true. Our dream of fleeing off to Canada together is exactly what we needed to figure out. Before she got out of the carriage I told her to remain here and say nothing to Zilpha about what our plan was .I would be back within the next few mornings to get her. “I love you Tyree. I wish you the best of luck with handling the situation of telling your family. “
I rode along in the carriage and proceeded to go see my mom and tell her of my safe comings home. When I arrived at the house she welcomed me with a big hug and kiss .This made me very distressed inside because I knew how much my family needed me but I also knew how much more happy I would be living with Mercer and the children ,starting a new life in Canada . My mother even made it worse by saying “Your father has gotten worse Tyree. He is giving us more trouble than ever now. Go upstairs and see him.” Before I did this I decided that I would tell her what’s going on with Mercer and me. When I told her that she was the one I loved and that I planned on going with her to Canada in order to keep her safe she didn’t take it the way I had planned. She completely disapproved of it and told me that I am a cheater and I have committed a moral sin. She was even more upset because she knew that I knew what my father had did to her and was ashamed because she thought she taught me better then to follow in his footsteps. With the tension building up between the two of us I just walked upstairs to go see how my father was coming along.
He was sick .Sicker than ever before .He could comprehend what I was saying, but I barely got a response out of him. All he could do was motion to me to get this point across. He also managed to get little sounds out to communicate with people. It was very upsetting to see him like this, but we knew it was coming, because there was never a sign of improvement the whole time he was sick. I could no longer bear looking at how sick he has become especially knowing that I was leaving him like this to suffer without my support to guide him through it. I kissed him on his fore head that was burning up, and returned down stairs.
My mother was standing in the middle of the living room with her arms crossed as I walked down .She gave me the “ you messed up , good luck now “ eyes and walked out of the room . In stormed Blanche, screaming like a mad woman. I wasn’t expecting this and didn’t even have any thoughts planned out in my head of how I was going to explain the situation to her. I was so angry at my mother for betraying me and telling Blanche without even warning me. When I finally realized this wasn’t a dream and she was really in front of me angry as can be , a war broke out in the living room .She screamed so loud “ How could you do this to me “ repeatedly. “I was nothing but good to that tramp and now she repays me like this. “ Blanche said. “But But, it wasn’t all her …” I couldn’t even get a word in to stick up for Mercer without her cutting me off and continuing to scream. “No no let me finish. And you, you just decide one day you are going to pick up and go miles and miles away with out even thinking of the people that love you that you’re leaving behind. What about your family that needs your support? I can’t believe I fell in love with a man that could be so heartless! “Blanche Burst out into tears and began to hit me on the head with one of the clothes she was sewing that she still had in her hand. I felt bad for her, but had to stay strong. I told her that I knew how she felt because I saw what my father did to my mother and how badly it hurt her even though she kept it bottled in. There was nothing else I could do to help her. The best thing for us was for her to walk away and never see me again. “And what about our poor little Syris” she said. We’ll see what happens in the morning I told her, already knowing that I planned on taking him with me to Canada. “You are shameful. You have no respect for anyone but yourself. “She screamed as she walked to the door and slammed it behind her.
Bea and my mother came into the room next. Aggravated already, I told them if they were going to continue to scream at me more not to even bother because I already understand how shocked everyone is. My mother walked out of the house full of disgrace and said “Good luck with your knew life in Canada; I love you. “ Bea giggled already half intoxicated and said “Wow I would have never expected it from you. Want some of this wine to relive ya from the stress Mr. two timer. “I chuckled and said no thank you and she left.
That night I slept upstairs in my father’s room to get away from the ruckus. I didn’t know if any of them crazy woman were going to return home in the middle of the night. God knows where they even went. I spent my last night in Philadelphia with my dad who I loved so dearly. It killed me to have to leave him like this .He would have accepted the news I brought home if he was conscious enough to know what was going on. At 4 o’clock that morning I picked up my stuff and got Cyris all ready to go. We hoped in the carriage and went to go get the love of my life. It was a windy night, but regardless of the weather and my empty heart from turning my family against me I was still very excited to pick up Mercer and leave. When we arrived at Zilpha’s house Mercer was peering out the window waiting patiently to see the carriage drive by. Once she seen us, she gave us a signal that told me that she knew we were waiting for her. She grabbed her stuff and quietly left the house. She entered the carriage and told me “The shut of that door behind her, was like the ending to a horrible dream that she has been living. “
Now we were off to go get the children, Etta and Matthew. When we arrived at Harriet’s house, where they have been staying, Mercer got out and nervously walked to the door to get her children. She knew that Harriet probably already heard what had happened and didn’t know how she would act towards her. With the dock on the door, Harriet came and answered.Mercer said hi and went to wake her two children .They were so excited to see her in front of them with their own two eyes. She gave them both big hugs and told them to remain quiet and follow her. They did as she said .All three of them said good bye to Harriet and as the kids were about to walk out of the door she handed them two little gifts so they could always remember her. Matty received the block he always played with and Etta got her favorite book that she has been practicing reading. They said thank you and gave her a big hug goodbye. She watched them as they got into the carriage with Tyree.
Although all of this happened so fast and no one was sure what was going to happen next, Mercer and Tyree knew this is what they wanted not only for themselves , but for their children.They stuck together this long and held each other up threw all of the tragedies that took place since Mercer has arrived with his family . Together they knew they would live happily ever after and start a new life once they arrived at their destination of Canada.
*This was my new ending of The Price of a Child
Gabrielle DiCrosta 11/1
January 29,2009
The Price of a Child (New Ending)
Chapter 12 – Runaway… Family Astray
When Mercer and I finally returned back into the area from the speaking tour trip which generally went well, I dropped her off at Ziplha’s house where she would spend the next night or two. In the back off our heads we knew what we wanted to happen in life, we just had to find a way to make it all come true. Our dream of fleeing off to Canada together is exactly what we needed to figure out. Before she got out of the carriage I told her to remain here and say nothing to Zilpha about what our plan was .I would be back within the next few mornings to get her. “I love you Tyree. I wish you the best of luck with handling the situation of telling your family. “
I rode along in the carriage and proceeded to go see my mom and tell her of my safe comings home. When I arrived at the house she welcomed me with a big hug and kiss .This made me very distressed inside because I knew how much my family needed me but I also knew how much more happy I would be living with Mercer and the children ,starting a new life in Canada . My mother even made it worse by saying “Your father has gotten worse Tyree. He is giving us more trouble than ever now. Go upstairs and see him.” Before I did this I decided that I would tell her what’s going on with Mercer and me. When I told her that she was the one I loved and that I planned on going with her to Canada in order to keep her safe she didn’t take it the way I had planned. She completely disapproved of it and told me that I am a cheater and I have committed a moral sin. She was even more upset because she knew that I knew what my father had did to her and was ashamed because she thought she taught me better then to follow in his footsteps. With the tension building up between the two of us I just walked upstairs to go see how my father was coming along.
He was sick .Sicker than ever before .He could comprehend what I was saying, but I barely got a response out of him. All he could do was motion to me to get this point across. He also managed to get little sounds out to communicate with people. It was very upsetting to see him like this, but we knew it was coming, because there was never a sign of improvement the whole time he was sick. I could no longer bear looking at how sick he has become especially knowing that I was leaving him like this to suffer without my support to guide him through it. I kissed him on his fore head that was burning up, and returned down stairs.
My mother was standing in the middle of the living room with her arms crossed as I walked down .She gave me the “ you messed up , good luck now “ eyes and walked out of the room . In stormed Blanche, screaming like a mad woman. I wasn’t expecting this and didn’t even have any thoughts planned out in my head of how I was going to explain the situation to her. I was so angry at my mother for betraying me and telling Blanche without even warning me. When I finally realized this wasn’t a dream and she was really in front of me angry as can be , a war broke out in the living room .She screamed so loud “ How could you do this to me “ repeatedly. “I was nothing but good to that tramp and now she repays me like this. “ Blanche said. “But But, it wasn’t all her …” I couldn’t even get a word in to stick up for Mercer without her cutting me off and continuing to scream. “No no let me finish. And you, you just decide one day you are going to pick up and go miles and miles away with out even thinking of the people that love you that you’re leaving behind. What about your family that needs your support? I can’t believe I fell in love with a man that could be so heartless! “Blanche Burst out into tears and began to hit me on the head with one of the clothes she was sewing that she still had in her hand. I felt bad for her, but had to stay strong. I told her that I knew how she felt because I saw what my father did to my mother and how badly it hurt her even though she kept it bottled in. There was nothing else I could do to help her. The best thing for us was for her to walk away and never see me again. “And what about our poor little Syris” she said. We’ll see what happens in the morning I told her, already knowing that I planned on taking him with me to Canada. “You are shameful. You have no respect for anyone but yourself. “She screamed as she walked to the door and slammed it behind her.
Bea and my mother came into the room next. Aggravated already, I told them if they were going to continue to scream at me more not to even bother because I already understand how shocked everyone is. My mother walked out of the house full of disgrace and said “Good luck with your knew life in Canada; I love you. “ Bea giggled already half intoxicated and said “Wow I would have never expected it from you. Want some of this wine to relive ya from the stress Mr. two timer. “I chuckled and said no thank you and she left.
That night I slept upstairs in my father’s room to get away from the ruckus. I didn’t know if any of them crazy woman were going to return home in the middle of the night. God knows where they even went. I spent my last night in Philadelphia with my dad who I loved so dearly. It killed me to have to leave him like this .He would have accepted the news I brought home if he was conscious enough to know what was going on. At 4 o’clock that morning I picked up my stuff and got Cyris all ready to go. We hoped in the carriage and went to go get the love of my life. It was a windy night, but regardless of the weather and my empty heart from turning my family against me I was still very excited to pick up Mercer and leave. When we arrived at Zilpha’s house Mercer was peering out the window waiting patiently to see the carriage drive by. Once she seen us, she gave us a signal that told me that she knew we were waiting for her. She grabbed her stuff and quietly left the house. She entered the carriage and told me “The shut of that door behind her, was like the ending to a horrible dream that she has been living. “
Now we were off to go get the children, Etta and Matthew. When we arrived at Harriet’s house, where they have been staying, Mercer got out and nervously walked to the door to get her children. She knew that Harriet probably already heard what had happened and didn’t know how she would act towards her. With the dock on the door, Harriet came and answered.Mercer said hi and went to wake her two children .They were so excited to see her in front of them with their own two eyes. She gave them both big hugs and told them to remain quiet and follow her. They did as she said .All three of them said good bye to Harriet and as the kids were about to walk out of the door she handed them two little gifts so they could always remember her. Matty received the block he always played with and Etta got her favorite book that she has been practicing reading. They said thank you and gave her a big hug goodbye. She watched them as they got into the carriage with Tyree.
Although all of this happened so fast and no one was sure what was going to happen next, Mercer and Tyree knew this is what they wanted not only for themselves , but for their children.They stuck together this long and held each other up threw all of the tragedies that took place since Mercer has arrived with his family . Together they knew they would live happily ever after and start a new life once they arrived at their destination of Canada.
*This was my new ending of The Price of a Child
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