Poetry Journal

  Poem 5: “Happy Ending?” by Shel Silverstein Paraphrase There are no happy endings but happiness starts. Attitude It is somehow sad since it says all endings are bad. Shift It is when they start to ask for happy middle since the endings are just bad. Opinion The poem is good but I think it is not very true. There are some endings that are very joyful.  Sometimes ending a bad thing can make you glad. The middle parts are not always happy. Recommendation I recommend this poem because it is nice and funny, and expresses something very interesting.

Poem 4: “Stone Airplane” by Shel Silverstein Paraphrase The person who tried to fly the plane did not succeed. Attitude This poem is funny and short because we have the fact that the plane could not move. Shift There is a shift in line 1. Opinion I do like the poem because it is very creative. Recommendation I would recommend this poem, because it is descriptive and you can picture the action of drawing and the result which is a plane out of stone.

Poem3: “Fish?” by Shel Silverstein   Paraphrase   It describes the life of the fish in the water.   Attitude   The poem feels like what you do make you either increase or decrease.   Shift   Line 4 is a shift because it now talks not about fish but about people.   Opinion   For me, the poem reveals the harsh reality of the present society; the rich oppresses the poor.   Recommendation   I will recommend this poem for it has good thoughts.  

  Poem2: “Early Bird” by Shel Silverstein   Paraphrase   The two first lines mean that if you want to catch what is not easy to have, you have to hurry for that thing. The two last lines mean that if you are not lucky enough to catch what you want, then you have to sleep late to escape the trouble caused by not catching what you need.   Attitude   This poem explains the importance of getting up early.   Shift There is a shift in line 4 because the phrase becomes negative.     Opinion I do not like this poem because there are some negative consequences which I do not want them to apply to my life.   Recommendation I would recommend the poem to be read but not to be lived. It is because it teaches good values.

  Poem 1: “ Ridiculous Rose” by Shel Silverstein   Paraphrase   This poem is a narrative poem which describes our society. The girl’s answer shows her rebellious attitude.   Attitude   It describes how one thing can lead to the other. I see that sometimes children misunderstand adults and become a little bit crazy.   Shift   There is a shift in line 3 because the way of speaking has changed.   Opinion   I like the way this poem clearly explains some actual experiences where instructions are misunderstood.   Recommendation I can recommend it has two meanings that apply in our everyday life. It is very interesting to think about.