Friday, October 28, 2011
Count to Ten
I remember how we felt sitting by the water, and every time I look at you, its like the first time.
I use to know my place was a spot next to you, Now Im searching the room for an empty seat.
You with your words like knives, and swords, and weapons that you use against me.
Well, count to ten, take it in, This is life before you know who your ganna be.
So this is me swallowing my pride standing in front of you saying Im sorry for that night.
I use to know my place was a spot next to you, Now Im searching the room for an empty seat.
You with your words like knives, and swords, and weapons that you use against me.
Well, count to ten, take it in, This is life before you know who your ganna be.
So this is me swallowing my pride standing in front of you saying Im sorry for that night.
what we do
my gait is slow as i wander across the sidewalk
i hope for the sun to stay hidden behind the thick veil of clouds
(You and I know these clouds keep me hidden from warmth)
Superman petitions his responsibilities
(You’re a liar without trying)
his instabilities burn his broken bed but leave his body clean
many turn to stare (but they see nothing as I coil and recoil in dark)
their eyes fall upon what isn’t really there
they may not care if they are mistaken but I mind
i pray that your satellite heart decides to revolve around me
because i need a Casimir Pulanski to take me from this day
(but you won't see it; Can't you tell?)
ellie mcdougal
Monday, October 24, 2011
Christmas in October
Christmas in JULY? NO! Christmas in October! Are you ready for Christmas? Are Halloween and Thanksgiving festivities just completely boring you to death this fall season? If you've answered yes to either of these questions, it's time to get into the Christmas holiday spirit!
While I log into my Facebook about 2 or 3 times per day, one of my favorite pop singers, Justin Bieber, frequently pops up on my news feed. During the first few weeks of October, Justin posted exciting statuses about his new and upcoming single on his yet to be released Christmas Album, "Mistletoe." Each day, he posted a countdown until the single was released on October 17th, and I had bought the song immediately that morning when I had woken up.I was extremely excited when I discovered that Justin Bieber was releasing a Christmas single months in advance of December. Without Facebook although, I truly believe I would have not known about his single being released. I am a HUGE Justin Bieber fan. Yes, I have "Bieber Fever," but needless to say, I am not one of those girls that follows his every move.
After I had bought the song, I began listening to it over, and over, just like every other Justin Bieber song that I buy! But this song truly got me into the holiday spirit. The sleigh bells in the background, and the repetition of the word "mistletoe" really got me thinking about Christmas, and I became very excited!
After having spent almost two months in Mrs. Lewis' AWESOME:) poetry class, I have become more aware of poetic devices that are present in a song's lyrics when I am listening to a song. I immediately pulled up the lyrics to "Mistletoe" and found several poetic devices within the lyrics.
One immediate example I found was that the first stanza had two sets of couplets. "It's the most beautiful time of the year. Lights fill the streets spreading so much cheer. I should be playing in the winter snow, But I'mma be under the mistletoe." Year and cheer rhyme with each other, one life right after the other, which makes those two lines a couplet! Snow and mistletoe rhyme consecutively as well, which also make those two lines a couplet.
Justin also uses the poetic device, assonance, in his lyrics. An example of assonance in the "Mistletoe" lyrics, is displayed in the two lines, "Word on the street Santa's coming tonight, Reindeer's flying in the sky so high" The word tonight and high both have the "igh" vowel sound, which exemplifies assonance in the lyrics.
For all of you Beliebers out there, and I know that's many of you, check out Justin's "Mistletoe" music video below. You're going to melt, just like I did the first time. Also, check out Justin's newly released Christmas single, "The Christmas Song" (Chestnuts) featuring, the one and only, Usher, on iTunes! When listening to these songs, really think about the couplets, rhyming, and assonance in the lyrics. It's not always easy, but Justin's songs never disappoint!
"Assonance | Define Assonance at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/assonance>.
"JUSTIN BIEBER - MISTLETOE LYRICS." MUSIC AND LYRICS. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.directlyrics.com/justin-bieber-mistletoe-lyrics.html>.
"Reminder: Justin Bieber Album “Under the Mistletoe” Release Date November 1, 2011 — JUSTIN BIEBER ZONE :Latest News, Pics, Music Videos, Chat and More."Justin Bieber FanSite //Latest News, Pictures, Song Lyrics, Music Videos, Tickets 2011-2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.justinbieberzone.com/2011/10/reminder-justin-bieber-album-under-the-mistletoe-release-date-november-1/>.
"Justin Bieber Shoots Christmas-Themed 'Mistletoe' Video - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV." New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Top Stories | MTV. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1671721/justin-bieber-mistletoe-music-video.jhtml>.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
BAM
BAM!!! No, not in the words of famous chef, Emeril, but rather the Black Arts Movement.
The Black Arts Movement, also known as BAM, was a movement that provided African Americans to make a name for themselves through art. The art work of the African Americans was a way in which the people could aid revising the perception of the African American people's identity.
The BAM movement, which lasted from the 1960's to the 1970's, was a flourishing period for African American playwrights, artists, poets, authors, and musicians, to show their talents and hard work, in efforts to distinguish stereotypes against their race, and the African American inferiority.
The Black Arts Movement, also referred to as the "sixties" movement, began in March of 1965 when Muslim minister and human rights activist, Malcom X was assassinated. Amiri Baraka, formerly known as LeRoi Jones, was a respected music critic and poet during the time period for blacks who was considered a very big symbolic figure for the Black Arts Movement.
In 1965, Amiri Baraka's poem, "Black Art" became controversial. He said, "we want poems that kill." He meant metaphorically, and literally. Slogans such as "Arm yourself or Harm yourself," were established which promoted controversy with white leaders and faculty, such as policemen.
In 1967, Baraka was arrested for gun possession in a rebellion in 1967, and was later convicted. This is also when he changed his name.
One example of a step for the Black artists in the right direction was the Umbra Magazine. The Umbra Magazine was a magazine that was established by young black writers who met together, and formed this magazine. If that's not inspiring to all, I don't know what is.
This movement has inspired many. Not just artsy blacks, but other ethnicities and races as well. People from all different backgrounds, from Asian Americans, and even those of other profession fields, such as the scientific fields, were inspired to become what they wished to be.
This movement has inspired those to make a name for themselves, no matter who, or what they are. It was truly an inspirational movement for all.
"Introduction: Perceptions of Blacks." American Studies @ The University of Virginia. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. <http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug01/hughes/intro.html>.
"Historical Overviews of the Black Arts Movement." Welcome to English « Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois. Web. 18 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/blackarts/historical.htm>.
"A Brief Guide to the Black Arts Movement." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. <http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5647>.
The Black Arts Movement. Photograph.
Black Power. Photograph
The Black Arts Movement, also known as BAM, was a movement that provided African Americans to make a name for themselves through art. The art work of the African Americans was a way in which the people could aid revising the perception of the African American people's identity.
The BAM movement, which lasted from the 1960's to the 1970's, was a flourishing period for African American playwrights, artists, poets, authors, and musicians, to show their talents and hard work, in efforts to distinguish stereotypes against their race, and the African American inferiority.
The Black Arts Movement, also referred to as the "sixties" movement, began in March of 1965 when Muslim minister and human rights activist, Malcom X was assassinated. Amiri Baraka, formerly known as LeRoi Jones, was a respected music critic and poet during the time period for blacks who was considered a very big symbolic figure for the Black Arts Movement.
In 1965, Amiri Baraka's poem, "Black Art" became controversial. He said, "we want poems that kill." He meant metaphorically, and literally. Slogans such as "Arm yourself or Harm yourself," were established which promoted controversy with white leaders and faculty, such as policemen.
In 1967, Baraka was arrested for gun possession in a rebellion in 1967, and was later convicted. This is also when he changed his name.
One example of a step for the Black artists in the right direction was the Umbra Magazine. The Umbra Magazine was a magazine that was established by young black writers who met together, and formed this magazine. If that's not inspiring to all, I don't know what is.
This movement has inspired many. Not just artsy blacks, but other ethnicities and races as well. People from all different backgrounds, from Asian Americans, and even those of other profession fields, such as the scientific fields, were inspired to become what they wished to be.
This movement has inspired those to make a name for themselves, no matter who, or what they are. It was truly an inspirational movement for all.
"Introduction: Perceptions of Blacks." American Studies @ The University of Virginia. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. <http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug01/hughes/intro.html>.
"Historical Overviews of the Black Arts Movement." Welcome to English « Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois. Web. 18 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/blackarts/historical.htm>.
"A Brief Guide to the Black Arts Movement." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Web. 18 Oct. 2011. <http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5647>.
The Black Arts Movement. Photograph.
Black Power. Photograph
Monday, October 17, 2011
WAYNE ALL THE WAY!
Through out our poetry class, we've discussed several poets who've began writing while still children, like Gwendolyn Brooks.Brook's published her first poem in a magazine at thirteen, and so began her career. Over the weekend I was watching the True Hollywood Story of Lil Wayne. 
Lil Wayne, Dwayne Michael Charter Jr, signed with Cash Money Records at the age of nine! At the age of two his parents divorced and his father abandoned the family. Carter's mother knew her son had something special, so she enrolled him in the gifted program at elementary school. In middle school he was also placed in the gifted program, but he dropped out of school to focus on his music. From 1997-1999 Lil Wayne, 15, was apart of the group The Hot Boys.
He was featured in several songs at the time, but one Im sure we allllll know is Back That Thang Up by Juvenile. On his 2004 album, The Carter, Lil Wayne worked with are Destiny's Child for their song(Soldier).After that album he did not realse another album for two years but made apperances on several friends hits; Chris Brown, Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Lloyd, Akon, and others. Wayne's most popular ablum to date is The Carter III.
In the first week alone the album sold over a million copies! The record's Bilboard hits were Lollipop and Got Money. Lil Wayne's album, Rebirth, which is his debut rock album! He learned how to play guitar for just this. For breaking out of his comfort zone, Rolling Stone put them as their cover artist.
On MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, season six was 'The Season of the Stars", Lil Wayne was on of the artists who the crews had to dance to. For Carter's future, he currently has just finished his final tour. He plans to retire from his rapping career in order to spend time with his children. 
. As for his future, Wayne has just finished his last tour and plans to retire to spend time with his family. 
Lil Wayne, Dwayne Michael Charter Jr, signed with Cash Money Records at the age of nine! At the age of two his parents divorced and his father abandoned the family. Carter's mother knew her son had something special, so she enrolled him in the gifted program at elementary school. In middle school he was also placed in the gifted program, but he dropped out of school to focus on his music. From 1997-1999 Lil Wayne, 15, was apart of the group The Hot Boys.
He was featured in several songs at the time, but one Im sure we allllll know is Back That Thang Up by Juvenile. On his 2004 album, The Carter, Lil Wayne worked with are Destiny's Child for their song(Soldier).After that album he did not realse another album for two years but made apperances on several friends hits; Chris Brown, Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Lloyd, Akon, and others. Wayne's most popular ablum to date is The Carter III.
In the first week alone the album sold over a million copies! The record's Bilboard hits were Lollipop and Got Money. Lil Wayne's album, Rebirth, which is his debut rock album! He learned how to play guitar for just this. For breaking out of his comfort zone, Rolling Stone put them as their cover artist.
