Song of Becoming

As the Israel-Arab Conflict arise, a lot of people have been affected. In the poem Song of Becoming by Fadwa Tuqan, she tells a story of a bunch of boys who had a very happy childhood. The boys used to play, fly kites and laugh together. But when they grew older, their happiness were stolen from them. Their normal lives were taken away. They now became soldiers and they were fearful to many people.

Also notice that the bunch of boys mentioned in the poem didn't refer to Palestinians nor Israelites. I believe that Tuqan did not mention anything of the background of the boys since these boys can refer to both Palestinians and Israelites. They had the same childhood. They both experienced fun and play. But as they grow up, they become soldiers. Palestinian soldiers against Israelites and vice versa.

This poem conveys a sad message both to Israel and Palestine. Because of the conflict they have, many lives have changed. Many people have been affected. Many have sacrificed their lives. And it is so sad that the war can't end right away. Until when will the hardships continue? When will the fight end? Will there be someone who would give in and accept defeat? And these questions will still remain unanswered.

unpacking of Guests on the Sea.. .

Palestine is located between the shores of the Mediterranean and the Jordan River. It has been ruled by Jews, Christians, and Muslims who all wanted to own the land for their own needs and demands. Because of this, a lot of conflicts have emerged.

In the poem Guests on the Sea by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, he talks about the journey of Palestinians and their struggles for having their own land since this land is considered to be owned by Israel.

1. Who are the guests on the sea? Where do they come from?

*
We did not come to this country from a country...
We did not come to this place from a language of place...

The 'we' referred here are the Palestinians and they are the guests on the sea. They did not come from other countries and they grew up in the same land (the 'sea' referred in the poem) that Israel has considered to be theirs. They were called guests because they didn't have the right to land ownership. Palestine is recognized as a nation but it is not a country.

2. What do images of pomegranates and glue of memory evoke?

*
we came from pomegranates, from the glue of memory...

A pomegranate is a fruit that grows on different countries and also the place Palestinians longed for. It shows that they've been on that place for very long. It's like the Palestinians were seeds scattered on that land and there they grew. The 'glue of memory' is an image that adds to the idea of being temporary. 'Memory' implies that it does not exist anymore -- it's just a memory. It gives an idea that they did not come from somewhere else. They came from that same place that they 'visited'.

3. Explain the meaning of journey. Why does the short visit go long?

*
Guests on the sea: Our visit is short...
Do not ask us how long we will stay among you,
do not ask us anything about our visit...

On the very first line of the poem, the persona seems to be not sure if they would really have a short visit. The line is an irony. As the persona says this line, he convinces himself that the visit would be short although he really doubts if it would come true. The journey they have is the journey for having a land of their own. Their journey becomes long although they said that it'll be short. It becomes long since the Israelites wouldn't give them what they needed and until now, they struggle and fight for what they believed should be righteous for them. They become like squatters in the land where they were born and grew.

4. Explain the biblical allusions: creation, apple, sacrifice, and mercy, present in the poem.

*
from what Mediterranean will the creation begin?
We shall send another apple to the waters, circles within circles...
Is there another rock over which to offer a new sacrifice for your mercy?

In the first line, the creation here means the creation of the universe like what was stated in the Bible. They sought for a place they can live in the Mediterranean. The apples mentioned here does not necessarily mean the temptation. It gives the idea of significance of the apple in the Bible. They sent another apple in the sea because they did not lose hope in their struggle. When the apple was sent to the sea, it created ripples and this ripples represent the visit of the guests which goes longer. The second line above is like a question to every Palestinian and asks, "What will we do? Will there be hope?" It shows their great longing for a land of their own. They are also like begging because of the word mercy. They are perhaps seeking for help to God so that their sufferings would end.

5. What is implied by the repeated phrase: Sea, do not give us the song we do not deserve. What is meant by the metaphoric use of martyr, wise men, and woman.

*
woman has her first task: seduction...
it is for martyrs to explore in dream...
it is for wise men to lead a people on towards happy dreams...

The song referred here can possibly be the bombings. When a bomb explodes, it creates a sound and that perhaps could be the melody of the song. It is not the song they deserve because the song creates bad melody and it is not beneficial for them. The bombs were not the one they needed. They needed a land of their own. The use of metaphors like woman, martyr and wise men all refer to Palestinians who have tasks to do. Woman here perhaps refers to Eve and she is responsible why we all know what is good and evil. The martyr here can also be a character in the Bible like Abel. He was very obedient to God. On the other hand, the wise men worshipped Jesus as they sought for him. They gave Jesus gifts, too.

6. Explain imagery of distance and alienation as the language of land.

Because of the conflict between the Israelites and Palestinians, the Palestinians have become distant and alienated. In another sense, the language of Palestine and Israel are very different that they become so distant of each other especially Palestine since they were regarded only as guests. A simpler interpretation of this can be a Filipino and a Korean. In the Philippines, most Filipinos cannot understand the language of Koreans and Koreans are only regarded as guests in the country.

7. In the last stanza, comment on: the implication of what is lost and desired and the line: the sea has died within us...

*
How many moons have given their rings to one who is not of us.
How many stones has the swallow aid in the distance.
How many years shall we sleep as guests on the sea, wait for a place and say:
In a little while we shall leave here.
We have died from sleep and have broken here.
It is only the temporary that will last in us, age of the sea.

**
We want to live for a time, not for nothing
...but we want the country of our morning coffee
we want the fragrance of primitive plants
we want a special school
we want a special cemetary
we want a freedom
the size of a skull... and a song.

The lines under the first asterisk are images of the sacrifices of the Palestinians in their struggle for having a country of their own. The lines under the second asterisk are images of the desires of the Palestinians. They really wanted a land they can call theirs. They do not want to be guests on the sea. They want to settle in their own country.
The line 'the sea has died within us' somehow shows that the persona slowly loses hope. This line also conveys a meaning for all the Palestinians. It is like a call to action. Although they still haven't won today, there's still hope especially if all of them would make a move.

Mahmoud Darwish probably made this poem to serve as a call to all Palestinians. It gives hope to all of them especially those who have sacrificed and lost a lot during their struggles. Indeed, in every dark cloud, there's always a silver lining in it. And there will always be hope.

The Lamb and The Tyger

Good and evil are within us. For me, the two are never separated. And so, it is our choice if we do good or evil.

In the poem "The Lamb" from "Songs of Innocence" by William Blake, I can imagine a very meek and mild lamb in my mind. It really looks innocent and inexperienced in life. It could also be a figure of Jesus which is also a child. In the poem, it shows that God is really very great for creating such a beautiful creature. It does not harm anybody and is also a big use to society.
"The Lamb" is very contrary to the poem "The Tyger" from "The Songs of Experience" also by William Blake. Questions are being asked why a fierce and fearful creature is created. It can easily eat the lamb which is very meek. The tyger here can be described as an animal which has evil deeds. We know that a tyger is a carnivore and everyday, it eats flesh of other animals in order to survive.

The lamb and the tyger are two very different creatures. They also are figures of good and evil. The lamb is good and the tyger is evil. In this world, the two animals can live together. This can also explain why I can say that good and evil are not separated. We have our own lamb and tyger within us. Again, it is our choice if we do good or evil.

it's really difficult to CHANGE

A teenager is not an easy stage in life. Most teens conform to the society he/she lives in. Teenage life is also a preparation for adulthood which makes it a lot more difficult to handle.

As I first read the poem "Hanging Fire" of Audre Lorde, I felt the frustration and anxiety the fourteen-year old African American girl felt for herself.

***
...my skin has betrayed me.
...how come my knees are always so ashy.
***

She believed that her skin has betrayed her maybe because it wasn't the color of skin she liked. And the skin she had wasn't completely accepted by many. I also thought that her knees were ashy because of the downfalls she has taken. I believe that she really underwent a lot of struggles in her life.


***
what if I die before morning...
suppose I die before graduation...
will I live long enough to grow up...
and momma's in the bedroom with the DOOR CLOSED.
***

Here, the teen is always thinking of death and it also has its incremental effect. At first she just thought that what if is she dies. Next, she thinks of the possibility of dying. And lastly, she questions of living a long life. In the end of every stanza, she always mentions of her momma in the bedroom with the door closed. I think the teen and her mom has a conflict. Notice that the door was only closed and not locked. There may be a boundary between the two of them but this doesn't mean that one can't reach out for the other. Maybe the mother wasn't guiding her daughter and this caused the girl psychological problems.


***
There is nothing I want to do
and too much
that has to be done.
***

The girl is worried of almost everything but I think she isn't doing any significant act to counter her problems. The title, Hanging Fire, is an early form of weapon. It is when the fuse of a cannon is lit, but does not immediately go off. It's like the fire has stopped for just a second before it ignites. It is also an idiom which could mean delaying or to prolong. I personally believe that the title has a connection with these lines. The teen is somehow prolonging her sufferings because she's just waiting for change but she does nothing.


The poem basically has a lesson that all Filipinos can relate to. Why? Because we, Filipinos, are also like the teen in the poem. We are very anxious of our current government that's why we want change in our country. But we do nothing to solve it. In fact, we're adding more problems to society. I'm guilty of this reality too. And maybe this poem could also be a guide for self reflection to many. If we want change, do something. Don't just wait for miracles because miracles are still on our own hands. (:

The Fury of Overshoes -- Analysis

Being a kid is the best stage of life they say. Kids have no worries to think of and all a kid is concerned of is fun and play.

When I first read the poem "The Fury of Overshoes" by Anne Sexton, what came to my mind was an adult who was reminiscing her childhood. I thought she missed those things that she did before that she could never do when she became an adult. But when I read the poem again and this time more intently, I noticed that the childhood memories mentioned were not happy ones. She was mostly talking of her fury and sad memories of her past.

***
Remember when you couldn't
buckle your own
overshoe
or tie your own
shoe
or cut your own meat
and the tears
running down like mud
because you fell off your
tricycle?
Remember, big fish,
when you couldn't swim
and simply slipped under
like a stone frog?
The world wasn't
yours .
It belonged to
the big people.
***

These lines from the poem highlights how LIMITED a child can do. I can imagine an adult who yells at the child saying, "Yo'ure just a kid! You can't do better until you grow up and be mature!"

***
Oh overshoes,
don't you
remember me,
pushing you up and down
in the winter snow?
***

The snow mentioned here was like the fears of the child. The overshoes was most probably the shield against the coldness of the snow, the fears.


***
Oh thumb,
I want a drink,
it is dark,
***

It just shows how the child hungers for happiness. Just like my own experience, when I craved for my thumb, but my parents would scold me if I disobey them.


***
where are the big people,
when will I get there,
taking giant steps
all day,
each day
and thinking
nothing of it?
***

In these last few lines, the person here sought for the big people. This means that she wanted to be an adult right away thinking that she could be free and escape the fury of her childhood. But she was really wrong I think. As she rushed for adulthood, she forgot her main purpose and she realized, the solution to her problem wasn't there at all.

For me, the poem gave me a realization that adulthood and childhood are just the same. It has its equal share of fury and happiness. A person should just enjoy each day that God has given while she's young and not rush on being mature because the fury and happiness there is just the same.

Shortcomings of Modern Art

“The art of the past was produced for a public that wanted it and understood it, by artists who understood and sympathized with their public; the art of our time has been, for the most part, produced for a public that didn’t want it and misunderstood it, by artists who disliked and despised the public for which they worked.” (Kenyon Cox, Online book: Artist and Public and Other Essays on Art)

In our time, the artist and the public has been divorced just like how it was shown in the short story “A Hunger Artist.” The fact alone that the hunger artist was caged shows how separated he was from the public.

“...he was therefore the sole completely satisfied spectator of his own fast.” This interpretation by Kafka is really true. The hunger artist was the only one who can witness and understand his own art. All others may believe that he cheated and found a way of making his fast easy. It just shows how the public questioned his art and most probably, it would follow that the public never understood his craft.

After forty days of fasting, the hunger artist was freed by the impresario although he wanted to continue his craft. Let’s take a look at these lines: “The impresario came forward, without a word -- for the band made speech impossible – lifted his arms in the air above the artist, as if inviting Heaven to look down upon this creature here in the straw, this suffering martyr, which indeed he was, although in quite another sense...” I strongly agree with Kafka as to how he interpreted the hunger artist’s feeling. Yes, the hunger artist indeed suffered. It was stated by Kafka that it was “in quite another sense” perhaps because he didn’t suffer of the fasting itself. He loved what he did. In fact, he wanted his craft of fasting to last for more than forty days since he believed that he was in his best fasting form. But the impresario didn’t allow this. The impresario’s control over him was an addition to his suffering. He was the only one who felt dissatisfaction while everyone else was satisfied of the whole event. It was stated in the story that, “To fight against this lack of understanding, against a whole world of non-understanding, was impossible.” This again, shows how the public misunderstood the artist and his craft, and the artist despised of the public he worked for.

After many years of working as a hunger artist, he felt that he wasn’t popular now. He moved to a large circus and left the impresario who has managed him in an unparalleled career. In the circus, he was given the chance of fasting as long as he wanted. He has waited for this moment where he was free of any limitations. As time passed by, he can’t fool himself of the truth that the public was more interested of the wild animals in the circus than a hunger artist who has turned into a “has been”.

“He might fast as much as he could, and he did so; but nothing could save him now, people passed him by. Just try to explain to anyone the art of fasting! Anyone who has no feeling for it cannot be made to understand it.” These lines by Kafka are of great impact. It is really true – no one could understand the feeling of fasting unless they have appreciated it. The emergence of a new public who weren’t able to appreciate the hunger artist’s craft was evident.

I agree to Kafka as he said, “...since it was not the hunger artist who was cheating, he was working honestly, but the world was cheating him of his reward.” The hunger artist here has been accused by a passer-by of swindling which gave him more depression. It wasn’t the reward he was supposed to receive after all he has done.

“It is this lack of sympathy and understanding between the artist and his public – this fatal isolation of the artist – that is the cause of nearly all the shortcomings of modern art.” (Kenyon Cox) These – lack of sympathy and understanding – were shown in the short story almost paragraph-by-paragraph. For me, Kafka has successfully interpreted the hunger artist and his craft. People who have intently read on this story might as well have understood the hunger artist and appreciated it as well.

here comes the BRIDE?

Seeing Kevin sitting alone in his porch brings me back to those times when my heart throbbed of happiness and sorrow. It was the peak of my life’s existence and the start of my downfall.

I am Rica — rich, famous, and can probably be called an IT girl in town. I have everything. Name it and I have it! Including the man I love with all my hypothalamus.

Way back then, Kevin was my childhood friend, sweetheart, my first crush, first boyfriend, and he’ll probably be the last. He was every girl’s desire when we were in high school. And as his girlfriend? What more could I ask for? I was loved by some and envied by many.

“Well…you are not exactly the love of my life, because I expect to love you for much longer than that…” I remembered how sincerely he uttered these words to me.

I believed in him!

But all these pleasures never seemed to be long lasting. “How could he make and break my heart?!” I said to myself.

“I had no choice. It really has to end.” I thought.

As Kevin turned the age of 21, something happened that we both never expected. It was this so called imprinting.
In this era of modernization and high use of technology, it’s something we couldn’t believe in. Imprinting is something that happened to Kevin and all his kins as they turn the age of 21. All those who have acquired this in their family aren’t supposed to tell anybody else that’s why Kevin didn’t have any idea about this.

Kevin did love me, I knew that! But when he saw Luisa, my cousin from abroad, whom I introduced to him way back, his love for me didn’t matter.

“I don’t know how it came to be. All I know is she’s my soul mate, my love at first sight! But I guess it’s more powerful than that…” My heart ached as I recalled how Kevin tried to explain to me what was happening.

I tried to recover from that nightmare of my life. I realized that I can’t always insist on the things that I wanted to happen.

Luisa was as rich as me, but not as popular though. But when she ‘owned’ Kevin, she was respected by many and they just love her!

The truth is, I envied her just as people envied me before. And honestly, it sucks to be feeling this feeling.

Years have passed before things became normal for Luisa and I. Forgetting and moving on to the next chapter of my life was the hardest – but I have to. We started communicating with each other. We tried doing ‘girl things’ to fill in the gap between the two of us. But when it comes to love life? I’d probably change the topic.

“How are you Rica? Do you have a boyfriend right now? You know what, you can share to me everything you’d want to share. I’m your cousin, remember? I’ll be right here for you.” Luisa said, trying to sound more comfortable with me now.

She’s right. She’s my cousin. I’d always remember that.

“Hey I forgot I had some paper works to do! What did you ask again? Sorry, I got lost of the conversation.” I said these as I tried my best to escape of her fearful questions. We still can’t elude the fact that I’m her boyfriend’s EX-girlfriend.

The worst moment is yet to come. Luisa came to the house with an envelope in her hands. I trembled as I saw the tie around the envelope which had a wooden two puzzle pieces at its end – they were shaped exactly for each other.

“I’m going to be married Rica. Will you be my bridesmaid?” Luisa excitedly said as she handed the invitation to me.

I silently read the bolded names written on the paper. “Kevin and Luisa.”

“Yes! Yes! I’d be glad to be your bridesmaid Luisa. Tell me if there’s anything that you needed. I’d be willing to help you out.”

I put on a brave face. I guess I’m too good at acting nowadays. I gave her a smile and hugged her tight.

I knew deep in my heart, the scars of my wound were slowly ripped open. I couldn’t bear the fact that they’re going to be married – my cousin and EX-boyfriend! And I’ll be their bridesmaid!

I’ve received the greatest insult one may give to me. Kevin is supposed to be mine now!

“I swear I’d vow revenge!” I said to myself with great anger.

Their wedding was scheduled on the end of the month and it would only be two weeks from now. I knew I had to brace myself for that.

Days have passed and everybody was excited and busy for Luisa’s wedding. Of course, I acted like the crowd who were gladly waiting for the biggest event of the year perhaps. I was a good actress right?

A day before the wedding, Luisa and I were together.

“Let’s have girls’ night-out tonight Luisa! It’s sort of a celebration before you enter the world of married life. Isn’t it gonna be great?” I happily asked her while we drank tea.

“Where would that be? I’d be very happy to have that party Rica! Thank you so much for doing this thing for me. I really love you. You’re the best!”

“You’re always welcome my dear cousin.”

The darkness fell and I knew it was now the time! We met at the house and she was on her best dress. She wore a cocktail dress while I wore jeans. I led her the way to where our girl friends were supposed to be waiting for us. The house was empty since the party wouldn’t need any servants and it was somewhat exclusive – really exclusive! I went through the library and pressed a button which flipped one shelf full of books.

Luisa was surprised and said, “I never knew there’s something like this in your house Rica. It’s amazing!”

We went through an elevator and we were heading downwards. When the elevator opened, we got out and Luisa saw the underground laboratory of the house.

“This is our underground lab of the house Luisa. Dad’s patients are usually brought here especially those who are needed to be examined. C’mon! They’re waiting for us inside.” I explained as we walked through the passageway. We stopped by a metallic door and beside it was a hand detector. I placed my hands on the detector and then the door suddenly opened.

Luisa was shocked. I can see it from her expression. She then said, “Wow! This is amazing!” She referred to the machine at the tip of the cerebrum. The room was called cerebrum. Inside, there was only a small hallway and its tip is a metallic chair and the machine she was amazed of. It was used to read and examine the brains of the patients. Beside the hallway was all black.

“Don’t be afraid to walk Luisa. The other lights were just turned off. It’s actually part of the surprise.” I explained to her.

“Okay then. I’ll be moving.” She said it without any doubts.

She walked straight and she was now nearer to the chair. She stopped but then I said, “Just continue walking. I’ll turn on the lights for you.”

Her left foot stepped on the dark part of the cerebrum and she was startled when she realized there was nothing to step on.

I rushed through the hallway and called her name. “Luisa?”

I heard a cry. She had her one arm clinging on the metal she once stepped in. I reached for her other arm. “Reach for my hand Luisa. C’mon!” She tried to reach my hand and she was fortunately successful.

I held on it and exclaimed, “Goodbye my dearest Luisa!” I let go of her hand. I turned back and all I heard was a loud cry.

It was a bloodless death. I was indeed successful.

I just asked to myself, “Will the bride ever come tomorrow?”