Unraveling the Mystery of Poetry: A Review of Matthew Zapruder's "Why Poetry?”
Poetry often feels like a contradiction to me. On one hand, it’s tedious and complex, like a puzzle with too many pieces. On the other hand, that very complexity sparks a curiosity that pushes me to delve deeper, to find simplicity, or perhaps accessibility, and beauty in what might otherwise seem confusing.
Life Lessons: Reflections on Poems to Live Your Life By
Poems to Live Your Life By, collated by Chris Riddell, is a wonderfully curated collection of poems paired with illustrations by Riddell himself. The collection is divided into themes that Riddell considers integral to human experiences, ranging from the wonders of love and the sorrow of loss to profound themes such as war. At the heart of it all is the experience of growing, not solely through age but also through personal development and life lessons.
Finding Resilience: My Journey with Maya Angelou’s And Still I Rise
Angelou’s collection is undeniably bold, fearlessly confronting adversities and transforming them into rightfully claimed victories. Her work eloquently speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of prejudice and discrimination, evoking a profound sense of recognition within me, despite not being the immediate target audience. Her careful exploration of societal biases serves as both an inspiration and a reminder of the resilience inherent within us all. She taught me that you can win without being worse than the enemy.
Struggles and Connections: Engaging with Ariel
Sylvia Plath did a spectacular job in expressing herself within the pages of Ariel. Her writing showcases an incredible depth and capacity that draws the reader in. What I gained from reading this collection is a profound sense of her vulnerability, the way she laid herself bare for everyone to see.