"the lesson of the falling leaves" -Lucille Clifton

          I really liked the style of this poem. It was simple, light, and almost child-like. I've heard the name Lucille Clifton long before this class, probably even since elementary school, which would make sense because of her style. After looking her up I thought this quote from her was interesting and refreshing: "I never thought I would be a poet. The only poets I ever saw were the portraits that hung on the walls in elementary school in Buffalo, N.Y.. Old, dead white men, with beards, from New England." Most poets we've learned about, even from this packet, had hard lives that resulted in their twisted personalities that showed through to their poems. That's why I really like Clifton. She goes back to that simplistic happy idea of poetry that I remember learning about growing up. Someone in class said this too I think, but this poem has the same repetition as a circle poem kind of. How the beginning idea connects with the ending idea that a person agrees with the faith the leaves have to let go. Short and sweet... but I liked it :)

The Guitarist Tunes Up- Frances Cornford

     I really liked the imagery and meaning of this poem. We discussed it in class and some people thought it was sexist and the man was controlling the woman like he would with a guitar, I don't agree with this at all. The last line he says, "Before they started, he and she, to play." Instead of saying that he played the guitar the author says they, as if they are one and pointing out he can't accomplish the music without her, or the man without his guitar.
    This poem is pretty straight forward in the meaning and doesn't really have a deep meaning, yet still makes an impact on the reader. I definitely like Cornford's style because it's different from most of the other poems in this packet.