Discrimination

Discrimination

Walk through the hall

With every eye on me

Surrounded by four walls

As far as I can see

Snickers, sneers and laughter

Discrimination too

Taunted from on after

Because I'm not like you

I'm different so you shun me

Leave me standing in the rain

You hurt me though you see

That I am in pain

I hate discrimination

Among the world I see

If we are all one nation

Why discriminate against me

By Janet S. Watford

This poem focuses on such an intense topic. This poem is based on the subject of discrimination through the first person view. This poem's is based on the "A,B,A,B" structure. The last word from every other line rhymes with the last word from the other line. So, the last word of the first and third lines would rhyme, while the last word of the second and fourth line rhyme with one another as well. Most poems are based on this structure. 

There are four stanzas that brings the attention of the reader to a specific direction. In my opinion, I believe that the first stanza is quite a grabber. It describes what can be seen through the eyes of "discrimination". In the eyes of discrimination, or in the eyes of a person being discriminated many eyes seem to be ablaze towards the person being discriminated. This brings the reader to attention because it causes curiosity on why exactly this is occurring. The second stanza deals with the sense of hearing instead of sight. Two other synonyms are presented for the word laughter in the first line of the second stanza creating the perception that the idea of laughter was very essential into how discrimination is like. By having three words presented to express one thing, it brings the idea that the laughter was not just any normal laughter that is heard in our daily lives, but is a different laughter. 


The last line of the second stanza "because I am not like you" is such a turning point from describing what is seen and heard through the use of senses, to the transition and transformation of starting to describe the reason for discrimination as well as the feelings one may be able to feel because of discrimination. From that line on, the whole poem becomes so much more intense. The words used are extremely dramatic and really create the feeling of tension and pain that discrimination brings into one's life. The words such as different, shun, leave, hurt, pain, hate, one nation, and even just the word discriminate itself creates such an uncomfortable and tense mood. Also "leave me standing in the rain" creates a feeling of fear and sadness that greatly represents and symbolizes exactly what can be felt because of discrimination even without the need to say the exact words of how discrimination feels like. The poet uses descriptions in her poem to bring forth how discrimination feels, rather than stating the actual feeling and listing the feelings directly in her poem.

This poem can be found HERE

A Haiku

A Haiku is a type of poem derived from Japan. Haikus can be about almost anything, and are mostly about things that occur in life, every single day. Haiku tends to be a poem where the poet chooses to contemplate on elements and objects in nature as well as the experiences one faces through everyday life. Experiences, nature, or feelings are common themes that are included in Haikus. Haikus are usually made with words and grammar that are quite easy. The most usual form of Haiku is composed of three lines of poetry. The first line is usually produced with five syllables. The second line usually consists of seven syllables, while the last, or the third line, is composed of five syllables again. So, the structure of a Haiku would be "5,7,5", based on the number of syllables per line.

Rhyming isn't necessary in the composition of a Haiku. Rather than the goal of rhyming like how most poems are usually perceived as, a Haiku focuses more on the goal of creating an image based on the words of the poem. Through a Haiku, one is to expect to be able to think or imagine a specific image after reading it's content. This is because a Haiku uses the technique of the poetic device called imagery. Because a Haiku requires the use of imagery which creates a certain task that needs to be accomplished for the poet. An even bigger task to fulfill is having to create this imagery, or picture into someone's mind, within only 17 syllables. Within three lines, a poet is expected to have accomplished trying to create that picture for the reader through his or her words.

Most Haiku's are written or typed on paper with the image or a picture that represents that main gist and essence that the poet is trying to portray in his or her Haiku. 

For more information please click: Haiku
The image was found on: Penguin