Breathe by Taylor Swift

"Breathe"

Breathe is my favorite song by Taylor Swift. Every time I listen to it, I feel like I can relate to it more and more. In the song, Taylor talks about losing someone and without them you are not the same. She did not want it to get to that point, and continues to say how it is not easy. "And we know it's never simple, never easy. Never a clean break no one here to save me. You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand." She feels like she cannot breathe without him by her side, but she knows that she has to move on with her life. I can totally agree with everything Taylor Swift sings about in this song because I experienced it myself throughout my years in high school. I had that one person who I knew like the back of my hand, and that was always by my side. I know that I have to move on, even though it won't be easy. When times are tough, Taylor helps me get through these tough times, and listening to "Breathe" reminds me to be strong.

On a Tree Fallen Across the Road by Robert Frost

"On a Tree Fallen Across the Road"

I wanted one of my last poems I read to be by Robert Frost. He is by far my favorite poet, and I love the way he incorporates nature into all of his poems, even though they have another meaning to them. I love reading them and being able to learn from the hidden message in the poem. This poem says that throughout your lifetime, there will be many obstacles that come before you. In life, you may be working towards a goal, and obstacles will come before you to see how dedicated you are to what you are doing. The poem talks about how these obstacles makes you question yourself and figure out solutions to problems that you may face in life, and how to resolve the situations. Yet, deep down, it does not matter because you cannot quit. It does not matter how many things come in your way, you are going to reach for the stars in the end to make it far in life.

We Outgrow Love Like Other Things by Emily Dickinson

"We Outgrow Love Like Other Things"

Love comes and loves goes. When we are young, we think that love is the only important thing in our lives. However, as we grow older we grow into different people. Our interests change and our outlooks on life change, teaching us that love changes over the years. We outgrow our old loves.

October by Robert Frost

"October"

In the days of October, the mornings are quiet and the days are cold. The leaves have changed color, and are ready to fall at any time. The days are longer than they will be in the weeks to come, and nature around us is going through a big transformation. The poem described the month perfectly, especially talking about the wind urging the leaves to fall off the trees.

Upon a Fit of Sickness by Anne Bradstreet

"Upon a Fit of Sickness"

I felt very sad while reading this poem. Personally, I do not enjoy reading about death, and this whole poem was based on death or reflected about death. I felt like the whole time I was reading I was picturing myself dying, or something close to it. Although it was a very dark poem, it made me think to myself that I really need to seize the day. When I read about things that scare me or that I am not ready for, I have a bigger gratitude for my life, and how happy I am with myself at this time.

Merry Go Round by Langston Hughes

"Merry Go Round"

Hughes wrote this in a time of pain and suffering for African Americans in our past time. This poem talks about the Jim Crow laws, and how blacks were treated in the south at this time. Hughes uses the idea of a merry go round to connect readers of how African Americans felt when they were put on the back of the bus. "Where's a horse for a kid that's black?" I feel very angry when I read this, realizing what so many people went through to get us to the point where we are today. It is also very interesting to know that poets write their feelings of anger in their poems.

Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

"Fire and Ice"

Robert Frost only takes a few words to convey a strong message. In this poem, he talks about the difference between fire and ice, which translates into desire and hate. To me, it is about how your experiences change the way that you see things, and changes your opinions on different situations.

Pear Tree by Hilda Doolittle

"Pear Tree"

I am really beginning to have an admiration for nature. Hilda Doolittle, to me, seems like she thinks nature is not only beautiful, but it is perfect. Nature is greater than any other thing on this earth, and it should give people a sense of pride to have in their everyday lives. The pear trees should remain beautiful, as does the rest of nature around us.

A Sunset of the City by Gwendolyn Brooks

"A Sunset of the City"

A lot is happening in this poem. Gwendolyn Brooks compares a sunset to her life. She talks about how she is aging and how her life is passing by. Her life is like a sunset because her children have grown up, so her life is less hectic. She also brings in the nature aspect that many poets do, talking about the weather and the sun at the end of the summer/beginning of winter.

There is Another Sky by Emily Dickinson

"There is Another Sky"

This poem states that there are two sides of life; dark and light. When times get tough, you have two choices. You can look at it in a negative way, and let it upset you; or you can take things and look at them in a positive way. Dickinson advocates not to sweat the little things, and always look at the bright side.

Dreams by Langston Hughes

"Dreams"

In this poem, Hughes talks about dreams. If you let go of dreams, there is nothing left. I could relate to this poem, because there have been times where I have realized that sometimes dreams will never come true. I think everyone can relate to this. Everyone has felt the pain of losing something they have dreamed of. You should never let go of your dreams.

On the Beach at Night by Walt Whitman

"On the Beach at Night"

I do not like Walt Whitman's poems, because it is hard for me to understand. It seems to me that they are all depressing, and do not really teach life lessons. I thought this poem was about love, however the read assumes that the poor child's mother passed away. The child cries for her mother's love, but I could not understand much more from the poem.

Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

"Dust of Snow"

The message in this poem was very simple and clear. In life, it may take only the smallest things to change a person's outlook on life. Something as small as a dust of snow can put someone from a negative atmosphere into a positive atmosphere. Life goes on, and it is important to use the small things to help you live your life in a happy manor.

Love's Philosophy by P.B. Shelly

"Love's Philosophy"

We are meant to share our life spiritually and emotionally with others. You cannot fully appreciate the joy and beauty in life if you do not have someone you love to share it with.

The Sound of Trees by Robert Frost

"The Sound of Trees"

Frost uses the imagery from nature in many of his poems metaphorically. I enjoy reading his poems, because I am always able to keep a picture in my mind of what he is describing, even if it has little to do with nature itself. In this poem, Frost talks about trees, stating that they stay in one place its whole life. It talks about life experience and wisdom, showing that trees are trapped in one place and see all that goes on around it in its lifetime.

Shall I Compare Thee by Shakespeare

"Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day"

This is a very romantic sonnet. Shakespeare compares a woman to pretty flowers blooming. He explains that even though summer eventually fades away and the season's change, this woman's beauty is eternal. To me, summertime is the best time of the year. It is a time to relax, and enjoy life, and I got the feeling that this woman was the best part of his life, and that their love would forever be eternal, just like her beauty.

Hope by Emily Dickinson

"Hope is the Thing with Feathers"

Dickinson defines hope by comparing it to a bird. Whatever is being said of the bird applies to hope. Throughout the poem, Dickinson describes hope through what the bird does; how it reacts to hardship, where it can be found, and what it asks of itself. I was really able to understand the figurative speech in this poem, and could paint the perfect picture in my mind.

Success is Counted Sweetest by Emily Dickinson

"Success is Counted Sweetest"

When I read this poem, I found that the one who does not have certain things, understands whatever is in need, rather than the person who possesses it. In other words, people tend to want things with more intensity when they do not have them. Dickinson tends to write about the complicated truths of human desire, stating in this poem that success can be best comprehended by someone who actually NEEDS it.

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost

"Nothing Gold Can Stay"

You have to appreciate what you have in life, because in a moment it can all be gone. Nothing stays forever, so you have to be grateful for the things that you have and the people in your life. Nothing stays perfect that is perfect. Although, the memories will always remain in your heart.

Nothing Will Die by A.L. Tennyson

"Nothing Will Die"

In this poem, Tennyson uses nature to symbolize the idea that there is always an opportunity to start fresh. He describes the seasons, but he is talking about life and the fact that things may change, but they will never end.

O Do Not Love Too Long by William Butler Yeats

"O Do Not Love Too Long"

In this poem, Yeats speaks of love at a young age. When they were young, they thought they were exactly alike. However, as time goes on, later in life you realize that things change. People move on and grow apart from one another. This reminded me of high school relationships. At the time, you feel like the person you are with is the only thing that matters. But later in life, you realize that that was a time in your life when you were young and did not know what the world had in store for you.

O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman

"O Captain My Captain"

Walt Whitman's poems are full of sorrow. You might fight for something in your life, and you might wish for something and work hard for it, however once you achieve it, it does not make you feel the way you thought you would. It does not give you the rewards that you had once hoped for.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

"The Road Not Taken"

This poem talks about coming to cross-roads in life. There are always choices that you are not sure of, having to make a decision on which way to go. Sometimes if you go the way that may not be the most popular decision, it could turn out to be the best decision for you. I could relate to this poem, not knowing which road to take next year as I go on to college. I do not know what the outcome will be, but sometimes not going along with the crowd can be the best decision for you. Frost took the road less traveled, and it made the difference.

If by Rudyard Kipling

"If"

This poem was very inspiring. It teaches you how to live life. It reminds you to always believe in yourself, to never give up, and to live your life honestly. It is about taking chances, taking risks, and having determination to try again when you get knocked down. Always remember who you are, and always be true to yourself.

I'm Nobody by Emily Dickinson

I'm Nobody

This poem was one of Dickinson's first poems, and it is one of the most famous as well. When I first read this, I felt like I could kind of relate to what she was saying. "How dreary to be somebody!" Somebodys are too busy trying to circulate their names around, making sure they are known to those around them. I would rather be nobody with someone else by my side, rather than being somebody always trying to keep my name circulating around town.