Poem Analysis

Refugee Mother and Child
By Chinua Achebe

The poem is about the caring of a mother for her child. During this poem the poet describes how they both live, which is messy, disgusting and dirty and all the problems and struggles (like infections,etc.) they pass through. Because of these it makes the reader feel pittyfor all their suffering. Although they need to deal with these, the mother is happy and proud. The child is dying but the mother continues caring and protecting him until the last moment (combed his hair to show love and respect) "in her eyes the ghost of a mother´s pride as she combed the rust-colored hair left on his skull". This shows that the actions of a mother are important because they will always be there and make the daughter/son feel safe. When it says "putting flowers on a tiny grave" means that the mother cares about her son because a person puts flowers on a grave because they care and loved the dead. This is why I liked this poem and because it showed a sentimental and suffering side of people that really makes you reflect.       

Poem Analysis

Five Ways to Kill a Man
By Edwin Brock

The poem, like the title says, is about 5 ways to kill a man in different periods of time. First stanza is about how Jesus died, second is how people fought in medieval times, third is WW1, fourth WW2 and the last stanza is about how can a man die alone now. There is a lot of imagery because it´s describing each situation like: "You can make him carry a plank of wood", "whitw horses, english trees, men with bow and arrows", a mile of mud sliced through with ditches", "black boots,bomb craters", etc. It uses some alliterations but its main purpose is to describe how people suffered during time and how easy is to die nowadays, which is why I like this poem, because it is something new, creative and true.