We Real cool Analysis

We  Real cool by Gwendolyn Brooks

The Pool Players. Seven at the Golden Shovel.

We real cool.

We left School.

We lurk late.

We strike straight.

We sing Sin.

We thin gin.

We Jazz June.

We Die soon.

The speakers of this poem are seven young people playing pool at the Golden Shovel. Brooks put herself in their shoes rather than seeing it in “mature” people’s perspective. Together, the teenagers are doing things that society thinks are done by irresponsible people; like drinking gin, cutting school and going home late. They found happiness being in their group. In the poem, we see the camaraderie and outcome of having young people as one. These teenagers see life as very short not to have fun. So, why not live most out of it? 

As a young adult, I admit that I do crazy things not because I do not respect rules but rather to learn from experiences. I believe that I am not here in this world just to conform but rather to live. Older people around me might say not to do this or that. However in my opinion, I do not feel like I will grow as person if I will not know from my “mistakes.” Currently eighteen, I think I have the energy to do the things I want to do before I die soon. But I know that still need to be cautious because I want those memories to memorable and not regretful.

Valediction sa Hillcrest Analysis

Valediction sa Hillcrest by: Rolando Tinio

Pagkacollect ng Railway Express sa aking things
(Derecho na iyon sa barko while I take the plane),
Inakyat kong muli ang N-311 at dahil dead of winter,
Nakatopcoat at galoshes akong
Nagright turn sa N wing ng mahabang dilim
(Tunnel yatang aabot hanggang Tondo.
Kinapa ko ang switch sa hall.
Sa isang pitik, nagshrink ang imaginary tunnel,
Nagparang ataol.

Or catacomb,
Strangely absolute ang impression
Ng hilera ng mga pintong nagpuprusisyon:
Individual identification, parang mummy causes,
De-nameplate, de-numero, de-hometown address.
Antiseptic ang atmosphere, streamlined yet/
E filing cabinet.

Filing, hindi naman deaths, ha.
Remembrances, oo. Yung medyo malapot
Dahil, alam mo na I’m quitting the place
After two and a half years.
After two and a half years,
Di man nagkatiyempong mag-ugat, ika nga,
Siyempre’y naging attached, parang morning glory’ng
Mahirap mapaknit sa alambreng trellis.

At pagkabukas ko sa kuwarto
Hubo’t hubad na ang mattresses,
Wala nang kutson sa easy chair.
Mga drawer ng bureau’y nakanganga,
Sabay-sabay nag-ooration,
Nagkahiyaan, nabara.

Of course, tuloy ang radiator sa paggaralgal:
Nasa New York na si Bob and the two Allans,
Yung mga quarterbacks across the hall
Pihadong panay sa Des Moines.
Don and Constance aren’t coming back at all.
Gusto ko mang magpaalam—
to whom?
The drapes? the washbowl? sa double-decker
Na pinaikot-ikot namin ni Kandaswamy
To create space, hopeless, talagang impossible.
Of course, tuloy ang radiator sa paglagutok.
And the above silence,
nakakaiyak kung sumagot.)

Bueno, let’s get it over with.
It’s a long walk to the depot.
Tama na ang sophistication- sophistication.

Sa steep incline, pababa sa highway
Where all things level, sabi nga,
There’s a flurry, ang gentle- gentle.
Pagwhoosh-whoosh ng paa ko,
The snow melts right under:

Nagtutubig, parang asukal,
Humuhulas,
Nagsesentimental.

Valediction sa Hillcrest interprets the feeling of identity confusion. He used two languages to explain this dilemma. At first, he is excited to see his first home which is Tondo. But then, he realized he built a memory in Hillcrest also, so he was attached to that place too. I was a bit shocked when it was not revealed if he went back or stay where he is there. He realized that what matters most is the experiences and learning that you would treasure forever.

In this poem, I can agree that it is hard to find that special place where you belong. Most of my time, I’m in Manila but I still go home to Quezon City since it is where my family lives. Although, they are both in Metro Manila, I must say they are two differerent environments. Manila taught me the tough life while Quezon City was my comfort zone. This poem made me realize that sooner or later I might not stay in both places. I might choose to go to Davao or as far as France. What is important is I grow as a person live the life that I want. And so, I m ready to go to places never expected to be in.

PS: I have a blossoming love for Rolando Tinio hihi

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning Analysis

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

BY JOHN DONNE

As virtuous men pass mildly away,

   And whisper to their souls to go,

Whilst some of their sad friends do say

   The breath goes now, and some say, No:

So let us melt, and make no noise,

   No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move;

'Twere profanation of our joys

   To tell the laity our love.

Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears,

   Men reckon what it did, and meant;

But trepidation of the spheres,

   Though greater far, is innocent.

Dull sublunary lovers' love

   (Whose soul is sense) cannot admit

Absence, because it doth remove

   Those things which elemented it.

But we by a love so much refined,

   That our selves know not what it is,

Inter-assured of the mind,

   Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss.

Our two souls therefore, which are one,

   Though I must go, endure not yet

A breach, but an expansion,

   Like gold to airy thinness beat.

If they be two, they are two so

   As stiff twin compasses are two;

Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show

   To move, but doth, if the other do.

And though it in the center sit,

   Yet when the other far doth roam,

It leans and hearkens after it,

   And grows erect, as that comes home.

Such wilt thou be to me, who must,

   Like th' other foot, obliquely run;

Thy firmness makes my circle just,

   And makes me end where I begun.

We have say “goodbye” people at some point in our life. Whether it is parting ways after a brief conversation or dumping them after a break up, you have to be ready to be leave each other’s presence and be on your own. In the poem, it is said in the start that if noble people can let go of their loved ones that are dying, why not us too who will just saying goodbye?  The most painful goodbyes are those who said for our loved ones. However, if you love them so much you are ready to let them go and let them explore the world. It is scary to be away from them knowing the dangers are around them when you are not with there to help them.

My father left the Philippines 15 years ago, to work abroad. He would only go back once a year. We were not close when I was younger, but I got to know him more when he stayed for more thn a month during my high school senior year. Everytime he goes back there, there is that fear of uncertainty. But he said that it is the only way ha can show his love for us. One day I will repay him for the act of love that he showed me.