Step+8

Using the "Steps for Close Reading Poetry" provided in class, **analyze each of your poems you found for Step 7.** Pay special attention to the required characteristic exhibited in each poem and to how the characteristic contributes to the meaning of the poem. You will "So What?" your poem and do an in-depth analysis of each poem. Your analysis will be in your notebook behind your annotated poems. You will have 8 written analyses.

John Burnside
 * "Ronan"
 * Simile**

Ronan (n.) Irish or Gaelic name meaning: "little seal" Creel (n.) Wicker basket for carrying fish

In John Burnside's "Ronan," he shows the audience that everything has a beginning, and eventually old things will turn up. As children, we imagine how using these things would be, and he compares this imagination to fresh water from a mountain well.

The poem "Ronan" starts off with the exposition of the thought that "nothing comes of nothing" (3) and "that nothing / really disappears" (1-2). Burnside suggests that everything has an origin and that everything began somewhere. As a child, sometimes the poet and his friends would go to the beach, and dig up things that once meant something, but are now worthless and frail. He also considers how our modern language is similar to ancient languages that are no longer spoken. Languages like Norse, Gaelic and Sanskrit all have some impact on our day-to-day life, and we don't even realize it. Children also have no idea how much they are doing by digging things up and using them. Burnside says, "More than we pretend / of what we do / is restoration" (19-21) as they dream in "a world that's neither / past nor primitive," (23-24) because imagination is a wonderful thing. The poet actually compares imagination to a fresh drink from a high source. Although the "upland source" (25) is refreshing, it also is built up with plywood boards, yet hidden under nettles. This upland source is only for the brave of heart, but is well received when finally earned.

John Burnside's "Ronan" shows the power of imagination and how all things have a beginning. Eventually, ole things turn up, and when they do, the imagination that your mind will make is as refreshing as water from a mountain well.

"Ronan" shows the use of a **simile** by comparing imagination to fresh water. This comparison shows just how wonderful the mind is for your well-being. ||

Ted Hughes
 * "A Unicorn Named Ariel"
 * Imagery**

In Ted Hughes's "A Unicorn Named Ariel," he shows the audience the true nature of Imperialism, and how it was born to run and work. Although it will run into problems at some point of time, like all things, it will go on to rule the world.

The poem starts with the idea of a unicorn sending out her horn and her horse in order to protect the crown. As the empire spreads, it needs to protect its crown so that it will live to see another day. Although Empires, the Imperialistic system allows for the rulers to rule their Empires as either "democracies [or] tyrannies" (4). When done correctly, the Imperial power will be able to control the world, as if playing on a trampoline. Hughes then references the greatest Empire to ever rule the planet, Great Britain. Having been giving the slogan, 'The sun never sets on the British Empire,' they controlled countries from all over the world, stopping most "thermodynamic anarchy" (11). Although Britain controlled the countries, trouble is certain. As opposite as Yin and Yang, the British and colonized peoples argue and fight with each other out of spite. Throughout all of the trouble, "The unicorn can only win" (28) because "she was born to run" (29). Pure hearts, however, ensure that the Empire can continue to go on.

Ted Hughes's "A Unicorn Named Ariel" shows the prosperous nature of Imperialism and how it, like everything else, will run into problems. However, the unicorn "was born to run," (29) so it will go on.

With **imagery**, "A Unicorn Named Ariel" allows the audience to see how well Imperialism works, and how it will work together for the goal of the Empire. ||

Allen Ginsberg
 * "An Asphodel"
 * Connotation**

Cultivated (adj.) Prepared and used for growing plants

In Allen Ginsberg's "An Asphodel," he shows the idea of sadness and mourning by presenting the Asphodel, a symbol of mourning, death and loss.

With the loss of a loved one or something else close to him, he notes that what he wants is an "unattainable desire" (2). The poet is extremely "sad, [because there is] no way / to change the mad, / cultivated asphodel" (3-5). This "visible reality" (6) is now ever more real to him, as he realizes that she is gone. However, the poet later remembers the times they spent together, fully exposed to each other, fully trusting in each other while "lying in the living / room drunk naked" (9-10). While using no industrial electricity, they are fully secure in each other's arms. The two of them can lay on each other's "flowery couch" (17) allowing them to open their minds to each other. They trusted each other, and they loved each other so much, that they often fully exposed themselves to each other, both physically and emotionally.

Allen Ginsberg's poem "An Asphodel" shows the true and full love that he had for his lover before he lost her. The two of them were much in love, and he shows us that one of the keys to a successful relationship is complete trust.

As a poem with **connotation**, Ginsberg uses the term 'nudity' to actually mean full exposure rather than naked. ||

Ted Hughes
 * "Lineage"
 * Personification**

Begat (pst. tns. v.) Give rise to, or bring about.

In Ted Hughes's "Lineage," he gives a brief history of the world and human history as he analyzes what brought about everything in the universe. A link to John Burnside's "Ronan," he knows that everything has a beginning, and he goes into detail to analyze this.

Hughes states that "in the beginning was Scream," (1) who brought about the entire universe. Symbolic of darkness and confusion. After Scream came Blood, who represents war. War brought about knowledge, which brought people Fear. Fear brought more death. All of this death then brought Kingdoms for safety. In the kingdoms came royalty, who demanded music. However, to make this music, work had to be done. Then, the work brought about religion, that brought about a deeper faith in God. Later, however, atheism came, which accredited God with nothing. These atheists credit God with nothing day to day by repeating themselves in order to convince themselves of their faiths. Then came the crow, who now screams that which was in the beginning: blood. He screams for this in his "nest's filth" (21). Crow's home is a nasty mess, but he finds fun in tormenting those in the outside world.

Ted Hughes's "Lineage" expositions a short history of the entire universe in a short 21 lines. Everything has a beginning, and in the end, it all goes back to the beginning.

With **personification**, this poem allows physical and non-physical things to have children. In the real world, a piece of granite will not reproduce to make the color purple. ||

Ted Hughes
 * "Hawk Roosting"
 * End Rhyme**

Ted Hughes's poem, "Hawk Roosting," he shows the potential of the hawk to do whatever he pleases. Although he has been assigned this task by God, he does it gladly, being able to enjoy the job because he can have fun doing it.

As he sits "in the top of the wood," (1) the hawk considers his life, and the potential he has to kill and eat his prey. He then realizes just how convenient the trees are for him. Being so high, all "the earth's face upward for [his] inspection" (8) so he can kill and eat whatever he wishes. He can protect the entire earth from any foreign threats. Staying in the tree, he can see the whole earth, and "hold creation in [his] foot" (12). However, he can be a bit arrogant as he revolves the world in his hand, but he has earned this right by being such a menacing predator. Having left light with "the sun behind [him]," (21) he turns to darkness and himself as he leaves clarity. The hawk likes the way things are, and he intends to keep them that way.

In the poem "Hawk Roosting" by Ted Hughes, he shows the potential in the hawk, and the menacing nature of the hunter.

The poem contains an **end rhyme**, giving relation to feet and eat, allowing the audience to see what the feet are used for. ||