An Identity Poetry Anthology
Into the Mind
By, Weewah
I dedicate this collection to my friends and family, Who are (mostly) always supportive, and reliable. Thank you for always being there and answering my ridiculous questions. Thank you for being a tether to the earth, my anchors.
Disclaimer This anthology has been created and published as part of a school project aimed at: encouraging young writers to explore their identity through literature, specifically poetry; allowing young writers to experiment with language; and providing the opportunity for youth to expand their understanding of the power of words through visualization. Students have worked hard to create a polished product, using a variety of tools such as Photoshop. There is a list at the end of this document that gives credit to all artists for their words or their images if the information was available. If your work is represented here but not credited, we apologize for the oversight. Please know we did not intend to slight you or claim your work solely as our own. We greatly appreciate your artistry and thank you for your inspiration!
Pass on the Adapt Within the light frost Young are born with genes anew: The wonder of wild
This shows how a science is a big part of my identity, particularly evolution and the power of nature to adapt and survive. And how people are like a shortened version of adaptation in a single lifetime. It shows the power of nature, and how different species can pass on genes and adapt for millions of years, but at the same time the earth and foundation of parent stays the same among animals. I used almost alliteration with the last line, which made it sound smooth. I used winter/to early spring as a metaphor for the end of life, and the beginning of something new (spring). I don’t know why exactly I choose the polar bear as a visual, but that's what I imagined before I even wrote the poem. It just felt right, and it was what was in my mind when the poem was stirring into what it is now. There’s not much literary devices used in a haiku but I tried to use this as an allusion to White Fang, because he was born in the light frost, and was wild and the book was a key part in reinforcing the idea of survival of the fittest in the wild and gave me an insight into the wild.
O' Canada Canada is a country to be.It was a symbol an, me. Canada is red, the colour polite people, and good food. Canada is a place where all is under Harper that got darker.Canada is a the most free country. The states are just fakers. as people. The states sees immigrants as threats, a welcoming power. Canada is kind, and is as maple leaf. Canada is a country born of villainous past. Canada is a country is willing to sacrifice for necessary to raise the our soldiers.Canada is a to right it’s wrongs with Canada is a country of me as I am of it.
of peace, or it used icon. It still is for of love. It represents Peace like a dove. welcome. Some say peace maker, truly Canada sees immigrants as thieves. Canada is majestic as our conflict, and has a that protects, and freedom. Willing, if flag to half mast for country that needs the past people. that is as much apart
I wanted to show how being Canadian has shaped my identity. I’m pretty patriotic, I enjoy living here and am proud of what we are. I firmly believe in the ideals of Canada, and how it shaped me. My identity is many things, and they are all firmly Canadian. It’s a broad part of my identity but at the same time a simple part. I wanted to show my love of Canada is an interesting way I used rhyming to help make my project interesting. I used some similes to enhance the reading experience. I used Canada as a symbol for all that was good in the world and used juxtaposition kind of when I said Canada is a country born of conflict because when you think Canada you think peace. I used a metaphor with red being love.
.Fri r,d · are fif ti111e in e tr,u�nt
h n mak orbr ak ·ou , d you on l L ha 1
•
•
and
out,
Jit.' r r. nd: ·tr , eh
rup.
Autumn
What really drew me into this poem was the simplicity, and the normality this poem talks about a serious topic, and how it approached gun violence and crime in as serious way. I interpreted this poem, as a kid either turned on a wrong path and died from organized crime, or a victim of circumstance or police brutality, and how society doesn’t care, or doesn’t care enough to do anything about it.
Long Night Full Moon D. A. Powell, 1963
 I can relate. This relates to my identity because I want to do something lasting to the world, improve it. As a little kid I used to watch a lot of news, because there was contest on BT. I looked for the contest, and the weather and was exposed to so much more. I thought about the symbolism, with the tv representing society turning a blind eye, with the weather like a screen to cover the horrors.
Identity controls behaviour Identity controls emotions Identity controls how we think Identity controls behaviour. Identity determines behaviour Identity determines feeling Identity determines our mental pictures Identity determines behaviour. We do not rule our believing Our believing rules us Our believing rules how we think We do not rule our believing. Identity controls behaviour Believing controls identity Identity is borne in what we believe Who do you believe you are?
Peter Hall
I know this poem is about identity as a whole but you choose who you are, you refine your own identity. This poem really drew me in, the repetition making it elegant even though you knew what was coming like twilight before sunrise. This poem is about finding your identity, and what makes up you, not just your physical body. This relates to me because my personality is pretty simple.
It’s primarily made up of my beliefs, not my experiences. I think you can chose what you believe but once you do it controls you. I believe much of our actions comes directly from who you are, and what influences you. I think the theme of this poem is who you choose to become will be who you are in every thing you do.
For example if you choose to be a pacifist you are less likely to get into arguments, and more likely to back down from something and will be less likely to vote for somebody aggressive or work an aggressive job. You could almost argue in this poem they personified identity, and made it able to change and control you.
I chose this poem for a variety of reasons. One was because it helped shape my identity as a critical thinker, someone who tries to analyze and see all parts of the story. I was first introduced to this piece back when I was in the younger grades of this school. Mr. Avramenko (Then Mr. Publack) was my family groups teacher, and often showed interesting videos. This particular changed the way I thought. I now like to analyze things, and loved how some language was able to so accurately describe something in a manner that was art. I was drawn to rhyming of the words, and the metaphors and comparisons. It was so powerful I started watching spoken words outside of class. The topic relates to me almost directly but the way it connects to my identity is what it taught me. In this piece it’s a young man describing how he views education and school, like distant cousins. He encourages us to turn our gaze back on ourselves and reassess us. The theme of this is how education is key, but the delivery system needs some work. Suli Breaks is trying to show us his view on education, and how society may need to change.
Do not go gentle into that good night Dylan Thomas, 1914 - 1953 Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
This poem is downright powerful, it’s rhyme is poetic, drawing you deeper with each line, it’s word stirring emotions that you feel you have no right to feel, but do anyway. It’s word choice reflect the poem, strange, and fitting. His metaphor for death ad the night, and life as light is epic. This poem is about his father, and how he believes he should fight death, and how death can still be good, sometimes even a relief. You can feel the intensity in his tone, it rocks through you. This poem is about death, and tried to use this poem about the power of perseverance in my identity. I believe you should fight for your place in this cruel world, and fight to stay here. I believe death can be good, when it’s your time, but you should fight, and never stop if it’s not.The them of this poem is clearly death, and how you choose to react to it.
Poem: Suli Breaks - Why I Hate School But Love Education [Official Spoken Word Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ZmM7zPLyI
Image: Site found on https://alfa-img.com/show/david-beckham-free-kick-technique.html
Poem:Long Night Full Moon D. A. Powell, 1963 https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/long-night-full-moon Image: Site found on Photo shopped by me, original images are, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20130607153501-212158738youtube-mobile-vs-youtube-on-your-tv-and-the-impact-of-trueview
https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/spgtt/one_of_the_best_pictures_ive_taken/
Poem: Failure, Xyns https://hellopoetry.com/poem/678737/failure/ Image: Site found on https://alfa-img.com/show/david-beckham-free-kick-technique.html
Poem: Identity Controls Behaviour - Poem by Peter HalL https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/identity-controls-behaviour/ Image: Site found on https://www.google.ca/url? sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwi69buBqtLWAhXnxFQKHbwRDxUQjxwIAw &url=https%3A%2F%2Fiphoneros.com%2F45103%2Ffondo-de-pantalla-semanal-espiralabstracta&psig=AOvVaw0JzcYzBYALYQCJMkiZirak&ust=1507047081607964
Poem: Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas, 1914 - 1953
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/do-not-go-gentle-good-night Image: Site found on https://mojtv.hr//images/084afc55-bafd-4c0e-9b90-af6c947d77d4.jpg http://worldufophotosandnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/BRIGHT-LIGHT-ORB-NIGHT-SKY-2.jpg