BY: MACKENZIE JACKSON

Poetry Dedication Digital Project

Dear Lost Ones,

I am dedicating this to you out there that are just like me. When you

think you’re the only one going through something and no one

understands you. You’re wrong. I realized that I’m not the only that has

gone through some tough stuff, and I’m telling you now, you’re not alone

either. I hope by reading these poems, explications, and some of my

original stuff will give you confidence to concur anything that comes your

way!

Sincerely,

Your life twin

Classical Poem #1

Life and Art by Emma Lazarus

Not while the fever of the blood is strong, The heart throbs loud, the eyes are veiled, no less With passion than with tears, the Muse shall bless

The poet-sould to help and soothe with song. Not then she bids his trembling lips express The aching gladness, the voluptuous pain.

Life is his poem then; flesh, sense, and brain One full-stringed lyre attuned to happiness. But when the dream is done, the pulses fail,

The day's illusion, with the day's sun set, He, lonely in the twilight, sees the pale Divine Consoler, featured like Regret,

Enter and clasp his hand and kiss his brow. Then his lips ope to sing--as mine do now.

Explication #1

In this poem, Life and Art, it talks about emotions and how Emma

Lazarus character’s life in it is like a poem. Poems hold many different

themes, rhythms, emotions, and lengths. Like in the lines of her this

poem, “Life is his poem then; flesh, sense, and brain One full-stringed

lyre attuned to happiness. But when the dream is done, the pulses fail,”

each line of a poem is a part of his life, and when the poem ends, he is

no more. He leaves this world and enter another. That’s what I

understand from the last line, “Then his lips ope to sing--as mine do

now.” To me, it symbolizes him singing his praises because he has gone

to a better place, and we sing along with him. He’s made it through the

harshness and joys of life, and ended up in an even happier, better

place.

A poem has meaning and depth. Each life has mean and definitely depth.

So many things go on and it’s hard to put down on paper. In a poem you

can sum up so many happenings to tell a story from experiences.

Classical Poem #2

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,They think I'm telling lies.

I say,It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.I'm a woman

Phenomenally.Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a roomJust as cool as you please,

And to a man,The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,And the joy in my feet.

I'm a womanPhenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,That's me.

Men themselves have wonderedWhat they see in me.

They try so muchBut they can't touchMy inner mystery.

When I try to show themThey say they still can't see.

I say,It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,The ride of my breasts,The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understandJust why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump aboutOr have to talk real loud.When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.I say,

It's in the click of my heels,The bend of my hair,the palm of my hand,The need of my care,'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Explication #2

I love this poem, Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou! Us women should walk

tall and proud. We are strong and independent. If we walk with a sense of pride

and confidence, people begin to wonder what is so different about us. Even in a

crowd of young very pretty women with slim bodies and perfect features wonder;

according to this section: “Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not

cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think

I'm telling lies.”

Men are attracted to confidence just like this part is saying, “And to a man, The

fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of

honey bees.” They like a challenge and the chase. If we are confident and act like

we are independent and don’t need a man to make us happy, they take that on

and “swarm like a hive of bees”. Even men wonder what is so different and are

drawn to us.

We don’t have to be loud, or make a ruckus to get everyone’s attention. We just

simply need to walk tall, be confident have pride in ourselves. We don’t need

everyone else to feel accomplished or important.

Classical Poem #3

Hope by Emily Bronte

Hope was but a timid friend;She sat without the grated den,

Watching how my fate would tend,Even as selfish-hearted men.

She was cruel in her fear;Through the bars, one dreary day,

I looked out to see her there,And she turned her face away!

Like a false guard, false watch keeping,Still, in strife, she whispered peace;She would sing while I was weeping;

If I listened, she would cease.

False she was, and unrelenting;When my last joys strewed the ground,

Even Sorrow saw, repenting,Those sad relics scattered round;

Hope, whose whisper would have givenBalm to all my frenzied pain,

Stretched her wings, and soared to heaven,Went, and ne'er returned again!

Explication #3

In this poem, Hope by Emily Bronte, is kind of depressing and sad. “Hope was but

a timid friend; She sat without the grated den, Watching how my fate would tend,

Even as selfish-hearted men.” I think hints to our courage. Once we have a sense

of happiness and begin to hope, something happens and we become discouraged.

The hope we had, is stolen away and left us in the state we were. Same as in this

paragraph: “She was cruel in her fear; Through the bars, one dreary day, I looked

out to see her there, And she turned her face away!” Again, we begin to hope, and

once that hope is gone, we are left sad and depressed. We are afraid to look to

hope again because we don’t want to get hurt and have to same thing happen to us

over and over again. If we do being to be hopeful of something or someone, we are

left to have our hearts broken again.

The end of the poem sounds like the character in this has given up all hope and

never saw it again: “Hope, whose whisper would have given Balm to all my

frenzied pain,

Stretched her wings, and soared to heaven, Went, and ne'er returned again!” Once

we are full of hope and are high above the clouds and couldn’t be happier…we are

brought down and again and crushed. Soon realizing the frequent reoccurrence

and then giving up all hope.

Classical Poem #4

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk endsAnd before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flightTo cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows blackAnd the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers growWe shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows goTo the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they knowThe place where the sidewalk ends.

Explication #4

The author, Shel Silverstein, wrote Where the Sidewalk Ends to tell the reader that

there is a better place. Leave “the place where the smoke blows black” and walk with

“a walk that is measured and slow”. The part where it says “watch where the

chalk-white arrows go” I think means to follow your feet and keep walking and not to

look back. Past the “asphalt flowers” and “dark street winds and bends” is where the

“sidewalk ends”. Here, the grass grows soft and white, the sun burns crimson bright,

and the moon-bird rests from his flight to cool in the peppermint wind. I believe this

is saying that at the end, it’s peaceful and calm. You’ll be able to get away from the

dark times or sadness, stress, depression, or anything else that is impacting you

negatively and be able to relax and be at peace. Like the saying “there’s light at the

end of every tunnel”. Things will be better in the end.

Classical Poem #5

Touched by An Angel by Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courageexiles from delight

live coiled in shells of lonelinessuntil love leaves its high holy temple

and comes into our sightto liberate us into life.

Love arrivesand in its train come ecstasies

old memories of pleasureancient histories of pain.

Yet if we are bold,love strikes away the chains of fear

from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidityIn the flush of love's light

we dare be braveAnd suddenly we see

that love costs all we areand will ever be.Yet it is only love

which sets us free.

Explication #5

I love this poem that Maya Angelou wrote called “Touched by An Angel. It

has so

many truths to it; like the last 2 lines: Yet it is only love which sets us

free. Without

love in your life, you will be discouraged, fearful, in a degree of pain, and

definitely

lonely. When someone shows you love, you are happy and gain a sense of

self-worth.

I was asked one day if one could live without love. I said no in the

beginning, but after

reading this poem, I am more convinced that one cannot live without love.

It’s a

powerful thing and you don’t realize it until you’ve experienced it and the

feelings that are involved.

Original Poem #1Good Enough

Have you ever had a thoughtOh it’s just good enough

That’s good enoughOr I’m NOT good enough

 I’ve thought all of the above

But I realizedThis is not the right mind set to have

You should not just settle for good enough 

When looking for someone in the dating realmNever settle

For the guy you thinkIs good enough

 When doing homework and projects

Do the best you canAnd never say

It’s/that’s good enough 

If you settle for good enoughYou won’t be satisfied

With your spouseOr life in general

 We all want

The best in lifeSo do not settle

For less than you deserve

Why?

So many people have this kind of mind set of “good enough”. We think

we aren’t good enough, that’s good enough, or they’re good enough. Just

like I mentioned in the poem, you can’t just settle for less than you

deserve. When looking for a person to date and maybe marry in the

future, you don’t want to settle and say, “oh, he’s good enough”. expand

your options and try new things. Meet new people and find the person

that is just right for you. When doing homework and project, don’t do

most of the requirements, do them all and do a good job. Don’t look at

something you are some-what satisfied with and say it’s good enough.

Now, the statement a lot of people say, “I’m not good enough.” This is not

true!

Everyone is their own person and perfect in their own way. We may think

we have

flaws, and we may but that opens an area of improvement if you’re not

happy. That

doesn’t mean you’re not good enough; for someone, a job, to succeed,

anything. God

made you in His image and created you to be exactly as you are. Be you,

no one else.

Original Poem #2

Indescribable feeling

No one word or phraseCan describe the feeling.

The world becomes a hazeWhen our eyes are meeting.

 In my stomach, butterflies

Fluttering around and forgetting tomorrow.Knowing there will be no more goodbyes

I will hold no more sorrow.  

The gentle touch of your handFingers entwined , I like it best.

The meeting unplannedOnly with you, I am truly blessed.

Why?

I wrote this poem talking about that moment or first date with that

amazing person.

We get butterflies and can’t stop smiling. You share laughs and light

conversations.

In the end, it might not work out, but that doesn’t mean to stop looking

for another

opportunity to meet that special someone. A favorite quote of mine is,

“It’s meant to be, even if it’s meant to be for a little while.” Everything

happens for a reason. You get lost in each other’s eyes, as the night goes

on, you don’t even think about tomorrow. You’re in the moment. And

those kinds of moments were not made by chance, they have a purpose.

You were suppose to meet that person and share those feelings with

them. Maybe in the end things don’t work out, but you learn from

experiences. You grow in your mistakes, and cherish the memories.

Original Poem #3

Man of my Dreams

Tall, strong, and brawny,This man, I want for me.

Not pail, thin, and scrawny,This, not my cup of tea.

 Handsome, witty, and wise,

Skin not too fair,Bright ocean blue eyes,

Dark chocolate colored hair. 

One who will love and protect,Being caring and compassionate,Unhappiness they would detect,And then become affectionate.

Why?

Everyone won’t be on the same exact page as I am on this poem because

everyone has their own image on that perfect man. Mine happens to be

the tall, dark, and handsome. A lot of women may agree, but some may

not and that’s fine. You know what you are attracted to. You know what

kind of man catches your eye. You know what you like and want, so why

not go after it? Take chances, be bold, and you may surprise yourself.

I think everyone wants a man who will be there for them. If you’re

unhappy and upset, you want them to comfort you and be compassionate.

You want to feel protected and most of all, loved. You want to be treated

like a princess. Everyone wants to be happy but are scared of falling in

love and having their hearts broken. I cannot guarantee you will never be

hurt, but I can promise you, you will find love.

Original Poem #4

Struggles

Starting at an early ageYou being to realize

What the world thinksIs a perfect mind..body..personality

Looking in the mirror And being disgustedNot liking yourself

And believing you are ugly

Using man-made productsTo cover what you think

Are imperfectionsTrying to become beautiful

What you don’t realizeIs that you are already beautiful

In your own wayAnd in everyway

You’re afraid people will thinkYou’re weird..strange..different

You just want to be normalWho is to say what normal is?

Why?

I wrote this poem because I know that so many people think of

themselves as ugly or not pretty. You see all these adds and things on TV

about make up and ways to cover up your true beauty. They can help

with hiding some unwanted blemishes I’ll admit, but don’t cover up those

freckles, moles, or smile lines because those make you who you are. They

are you. So many people have plastic surgery and cake on the cover up

to make themselves look as a Barbie doll would; the perfect skin, hair,

body. Why would you want to look like something or someone everyone

else wants to look like? Be unique and different. Stand out and make a

statement that this is me. Don’t let anyone break you down. Who are they

to judge and say what is normal?

Original Poem #5

Building a Wall

Taking chancesAnd getting hurt

Scared of rejectionAnd scared to venture

My heart burdened heavyThe pain of the past

All of the loveNow lies

To protect what I hold dearTo keepsake my heart of fear

A wall was madeTo barricade.

Why?

I know I’ve gone through this recently where I’m just tired of getting

hurt and put down. To protect my heart, I built an emotional barricade or

wall if you will. This way I will protect my feelings and be cautious on

who I trust and if they are worthy of my affection. Holding back my heart

from any passing guy, helps keep my sane and free from heartache. You

may pretend not to care, but it’s simply not in our nature. With this wall,

it makes “not caring” a little easier because you’re not giving your heart

away to every guy that catches your attention and treats you like you’re

the only person on earth. You will have guys come and treat you like

you’re one in a million. You are, but they don’t realize it. This wall will

protect you from the smooth talking, sweet words said by fork tongued

men that will tell you anything and everything you want to hear. This

way, that one guy that is willing to climb your wall and steal your heart

will be eligible for you trust. Until then, be safe, protect your heart, and

hold your ground.

Biography

I am Mackenzie and I am a graduating senior. My whole middle school through

high school career, I have been through a lot and have over come all of it. I’m not

saying it was all bad, but there were definitely some trying times.

In middle school, I let someone take my heart and everything seemed like a

fairytale. The relationship ended drastically. I wasn’t sure of how he was taking it,

but it really took a toll on me. After about a year and a half, I was able to try the

relationship thing again.

In my years of high school, I have been in many different relationships; whether

it’s with friends, boyfriends, family, etc. I’ve been played, used, hurt, and taken

advantage of. Thus, I built a wall around my heart to protect myself from the pain

of life. I do have great times with guys, but I don’t give out my heart freely like I

once did. I’ve made great memories with some great people! I’ve learned life

lessons and overcame many obstacles.

This project inspired me to share some of my stories in a way and spread hope to

those who have gone through or are currently going through the same things.

Something I’ve learned, you are never alone in anything.

Hope you enjoyed this poetry project!

Just remember:

“It’s meant to be, even if it’s meant to be for a little

while”