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.