Cowards
Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.
How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.
Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.
Pretend, pardon, give excuses so no one points their finger at you.
Make a move, seize the day,
Show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes
To not be alone in the cold desolate air that surrounds you,
Between others, amongst strangers.
That’s right- don’t even try;
At your time the world will understand.
Of course no one will notice you blending in the shadows-
Hiding inside your head.
And in the end it will all come out just as you planned.
Never hurt, never cheated like the rest of those people
Who thought trying was better than rejection.
Those crazy fools who believe that fate was around the corner,
That two halves of a star would soon collide,
That destiny was at their fingertips,
That they are the ones alive.
And the few smart like you can join together
When the rest of the world has paired up;
And you all can laugh that you’ve maintained freedom;
But at what cost?
Why even think about it, why this long lecture to yourself,
Who are you trying to convince? Yourself? Your heart, your mind?
That’s right, just sit there and stare.
Maybe you’ll learn to finally love and accept yourself
Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine
To find out only that you would’ve loved it.
Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.
How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.
Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.
Pretend, pardon, give excuses so no one points their finger at you.
Make a move, seize the day,
Show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes
To not be alone in the cold desolate air that surrounds you,
Between others, amongst strangers.
That’s right- don’t even try;
At your time the world will understand.
Of course no one will notice you blending in the shadows-
Hiding inside your head.
And in the end it will all come out just as you planned.
Never hurt, never cheated like the rest of those people
Who thought trying was better than rejection.
Those crazy fools who believe that fate was around the corner,
That two halves of a star would soon collide,
That destiny was at their fingertips,
That they are the ones alive.
And the few smart like you can join together
When the rest of the world has paired up;
And you all can laugh that you’ve maintained freedom;
But at what cost?
Why even think about it, why this long lecture to yourself,
Who are you trying to convince? Yourself? Your heart, your mind?
That’s right, just sit there and stare.
Maybe you’ll learn to finally love and accept yourself
Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine
To find out only that you would’ve loved it.
29 comments:
Title: COWARD
Line(s): 1)Frightened fool, unconfident coward, How you always seem to wish all the time. 2)Maybe you’ll learn to finally love and accept yourself, Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine, To find out only that you would’ve loved it. ( Sorry if I’m not following all the rules, but I thought if I combined these two lines they might have more meaning.)
Another round of applause for Mr. Donoso’s Coward poem! Somehow, these poems are always rapping around a young person’s insight on emotions. Personally and unfortunately, I’ve been through these type of conflicts when there is a wall of shyness or timidness that can block a person from moving forward through life. For example, if I see this fine foxy chick right, around my age, and she looks back at me, there will be an explosion of hormones that would make me want to fly, like superman, over to her and say, “Ay Bay Bay.”
However, there might be a wall, made of krypton, blocking my path, called doubt! This obstacle could stop me for the rest of my life if I don’t find a way to get through it. Almost the same thing happens in the poem. The person in the poem is arguing with himself, trying to make his body move out of the shadows and into the real world that has waiting halves of stars. As I read the poem, I saw that the person was trying to use, in an annoyed tone, reverse psychology on himself saying that you won’t be the only coward out there and be in a little tribe of cowards who are scared just like you! But often when a coward gets together with other cowards, sometimes they get comfortable with the way life is and don’t want to change. That is what I believe what would happen and I disagree with part of the last line of the poem. The other 99% of the poem was much more acceptable and very easy to relate to. I figure that everybody should of and probably will go through almost the same thing, having fear of rejection or of heart ache!
As a result of being the first commenter, once again, I will agree with anyone who is able to see that the person in this poem is living in denial and is scared of getting his heart broken and his nuts cracked. Life would be like a bowl of piranhas mixed with a drop of poop!
-D_V_N Johnson
Cowards
This poem discusses the scary situation of meeting new people in a new environment. I can completely relate to this poem; I moved from a small town of Syracuse to the large and populated South Florida. This was one of the hardest times for me because I had to leave all my prior family and friends behind. I had no one to turn to at the end of the day. In my family, I am considered the timid one; it takes me decades for people to truly understand me. People may see me and know that I exist, yet they may never understand the true me and all I have to offer in a relationship. I, too, thought it would be easier not to make friends and not form relationships with anyone, but I learned I was wrong. Even if this process was extremely scary for me, in the long run, it was worth it. I made some friends that I still am close with and I now realize that being isolated is actually harder on me. “Of course no one will notice you blending in the shadows- Hiding inside your head. “ This sentence in the poem was exactly how I felt; I was just another student that took up one more seat with one more test to grade. People hardly ever knew who I was. To this day I sometimes find it hard to meet new people, yet I am slowly beginning to change that. The tone of this poem was motivational. After reading this poem, I clearly understood that the author wants us to make the move to go out there, into the scary world, and meet new people. “That two halves of a star would soon collide.” This line definitely is a personification. Stars don’t really have the ability to collide into each other. Yet this phrase means that two people that are meant for each other will eventually meet. I loved this poem because I could really relate to this one. All the prior poems were great, but this one I felt a connection with and that I truly understood this emotion to the fullest extent.
Hunter S Thompson wrote a letter to Charles Kuralt. HST livied every second of his life as a non-coward but when I heard this letter read it said that he was afraid. He was writting Hell's Angel's at the time and I don't think that HST had any idea that Kuralt was in the midst of a 30 year relationship with his mistress/surrogate family. Anyway I thought of this when I was reading "Cowards".
I keep trying to figure out what this poem is about rather than experiencing it for what it is. I admit I don't read a lot of poetry probably becasue of my own cowardliness. I guess that is the point of poetry-an art form-rather than a tool to be used toward some functional end.
Yet the art form has a communicative property. There is a message conveyed within a thematic tone that adds "color" and "texture" to the information of the text. Seperating the text from the tone, I thought the line structrures of "Cowards"-almost every line line starting a new idea or sentence-added to the combative, almost inflamatory-feel of the poem. The Narrator is clenching his fist to the sky, "SIEZE THE FU#@ING DAY". Much different than the loving, flowing feel of In Our Mouths, Happines. Two tones for two ideas; well crafted.But besides the tones, texts and textures, the subject matter -cowardace- is a pretty heady and expansive topic to take on. A bold choice I thought.
On that note maybe the subject matter is not Cowardace in its entirety but rather that one brief moment in time when the Coawrd finally realizes that blending in the shadows and being alone in the cold desolate air sourrounding is not destiny or fate. "Make a move"-motion causes emotion.I really enjoyed this poem; the imagery, the feel, the flow, and the metaphore of sipping wine as a truely happy life. Now all I have to do is take the advice.
Matt
Comment on Cowards
Mr. Donoso you’re great, I really enjoyed this poem because it had so much emotion and the person in the poem seems to be talking to someone else about how much of a coward he/she really is. For example in the last line:
“Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine
To find out only that you would’ve loved it.”
I think that the narrator was trying to say that if you don’t try something new for the fear of not liking it you’re never going to know if you would of liked it or not, or at least not for sure. I really liked the metaphor that you used in the line about the two halves of a star colliding because its comparing one’s heart or soul to the half of the star and that once we find our soul mate we are blended into one strong star, or soul. I also liked this poem because I can really relate to it. Like I am sometimes a coward myself and I don’t do or say things for the fear of getting rejected, and as have sometimes found out, you are rejected for not having said what you intended to in the beginning. So I interpret this as the fact that you have to have the courage to stand out and do what you want because they only way one can learn is through our mistakes. I agree with anonymous when he/she said “I loved this poem because I could really relate to this one. All the prior poems were great, but this one I felt a connection with and that I truly understood this emotion to the fullest extent.” because I feel the same way I could really feel the emotion of this poem and I felt like for an instant it was talking to me.
Cowards
"How you love to use an "if" to make the situation different."
I believe this line is trying to say encourage people to take action about their life instead of being a "should of could of would of." I believe the tone of the poem is "Carpe Diem" or seize the day and not to be afraid of rejection or defeat."Of course no one will notice you blending in the shadows-
Hiding inside your head" this is a very creative pun.But sometimes i do wish I could take refuge in my brain. Altogether I liked the poem because of its message and that was to never doubt yourself and to take charge of your life. I liked the way Devon compared the poem to his own life even though he wouldn't have got the girl anyway. LOL!
~$.$tevens
I didn’t quite understand this poem. I did understand it a lot, but some parts were rather confusing like this line:
“How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.
Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.”
I’m not sure if the author is talking about whether the character doubts the situations in his life, or if he’s on two sides to everything. For example, if he likes something like a certain movie and someone else doesn’t like that one movie, if he is going to go out and lie and say that he doesn’t like it either, when he really does…like living in denial…
According to this:
“Make a move, seize the day,
Show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes
To not be alone in the cold desolate air that surrounds you,
Between others, amongst strangers.
That’s right- don’t even try;
At your time the world will understand.
Of course no one will notice you blending in the shadows-
Hiding inside your head”
I think that basically the character doesn’t know who he is in life and doesn’t know what he wants. He’s angry with himself. Like he feels like he’s holding back for some reason but can’t seem to move forward.
There are also some metaphors in this context like “blending in the shadows” “hiding inside your head.”
I think that the author’s tone is kind of angry or frustration at the character because the narrator just so frustrated that the character won’t be himself or he can’t’ find himself, like he doesn’t know himself or who he is. I also think that the narrator is the character talking to himself because it’s stated in the last stanza, 5th line:
“Why even think about it, why this long lecture to yourself,”
I liked the poem overall because to me it was an inspirational and motivational poem in a way. Like a poem that tells you, “HEY! Get up! Do something with yourself! Don’t just sit there and watch.” At the same time though it was quite difficult for me to comprehend; but after this evaluation of it, I actually understood it better. I defiantly agree with what Devin the first commenter said about this character living in denial…he’s scared a coward and thinks that he can’t, and is just in the back seat looking at others moving along…
“Cowards”
When I read this poem, it talked about how people are scared or afraid of making new friends or meeting new people. Many times when the school year begins, I see a lot of kids who are isolated and quiet. It makes me think “Why can’t they just get up and meet new people?” But after reading this poem, it made me realize that sometimes kids are afraid of rejection and they don’t know what the other people are thinking about them. “Make a move, seize the day, and show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes.” This line was explained the tone of the poem. I thought the tone was motivational because all throughout the poem the author is telling the reader that they need to go and make the move and show that world that you aren’t afraid and that you exist. “That two halves of a star would soon collide”, this was an example of personification on the star because a star can’t be a half and it couldn’t collide either. I think the quote meant that when you find someone new and you guys finally click, you become inseparable and collide with each other. I thought this poem was interesting because it was a twist. The poems I have read before were all about romance and love and this one was about being afraid of meeting new people, which was totally the opposite. The poem caught my eye because there are many people out there in the world that are afraid of people’s judgment and don’t know how to make friends very well. I’m the kind of person who is loud and will introduce myself and I thought that it was interesting to see the other side. I also feel like this poem would help a lot of the timid and scared people to finally open up because I know it would help them a lot and they would be more comfortable around people. I agree with Anna when she said the character was in denial because the character always doubts himself and isn’t even trying to get the courage to get friends and meet new people. Also I thought he was in denial because it felt like he had already given up. When I read the line “Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.” It seemed like he had no confidence either. After reading this poem, It got me thinking and I really liked it a lot. I love how you can write about all topics and especially relate to ones that teens are having problems with today. Good job, Mr.Donoso!
I agree with karen when she said When I read this poem, it talked about how people are scared or afraid of making new friends or meeting new people. Many times when the school year begins, I see a lot of kids who are isolated and quiet. It makes me think “Why can’t they just get up and meet new people?” But after reading this poem, it made me realize that sometimes kids are afraid of rejection and they don’t know what the other people are thinking about them. “Make a move, seize the day, and show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes.” This line was explained the tone of the poem. I thought the tone was motivational because all throughout the poem the author is telling the reader that they need to go and make the move and show that world that you aren’t afraid and that you exist. “That two halves of a star would soon collide”, this was an example of personification on the star because a star can’t be a half and it couldn’t collide either. I think the quote meant that when you find someone new and you guys finally click, you become inseparable and collide with each other. I thought this poem was interesting because it was a twist. The poems I have read before were all about romance and love and this one was about being afraid of meeting new people, which was totally the opposite. The poem caught my eye because there are many people out there in the world that are afraid of people’s judgment and don’t know how to make friends very well. I’m the kind of person who is loud and will introduce myself and I thought that it was interesting to see the other side. I also feel like this poem would help a lot of the timid and scared people to finally open up because I know it would help them a lot and they would be more comfortable around people. I agree with Anna when she said the character was in denial because the character always doubts himself and isn’t even trying to get the courage to get friends and meet new people. Also I thought he was in denial because it felt like he had already given up. When I read the line “Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.” It seemed like he had no confidence either. After reading this poem, It got me thinking and I really liked it a lot. I love how you can write about all topics and especially relate to ones that teens are having problems with today. Good job, Mr.Donoso!
Cowards
Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.
How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.
Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.
Pretend, pardon, give excuses so no one points their finger at you.
These lines stood up to me the most because you see many people all the time not admitting to things they did like not doing their homework saying they left it at home or blaming their older sibling for breaking the dinner plate. They say things like this so they won’t get the finger pointed at them because in truth they are a coward using the words ‘if’ I broke it I would of said so (lie). Mr. Donoso’s I like this poem the most so far because I can relate, I always see people to afraid to admit they did wrong because they don’t want to be made a fool. The tone of this poem was motivational because it telling people not to be afraid and stand up to what you did right or wrong. “Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine” this is true you see people making friend with people like themselves and never try anything new. I also agree with Karen when she said when I read this poem, it talked about how people are scared or afraid of making new friends or meeting new people. Many times when the school year begins, I see a lot of kids who are isolated and quiet. It makes me think “Why can’t they just get up and meet new people?”
“Coward”
“Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.” I think this line is talking about the kind of people who always say they want something (or someone) but never do anything to get that person or thing, they just let it pass them by because they are too afraid of it failing. I think the tone of this poem is slightly annoyed, I think this because of this line: “Why even think about it, why this long lecture to yourself,
Who are you trying to convince? Yourself? Your heart, your mind?
That’s right, just sit there and stare.
Maybe you’ll learn to finally love and accept yourself.” An example of figurative language is “Maybe you’ll learn to finally love and accept yourself
Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine
To find out only that you would’ve loved it.” This means that the people who are afraid of rejection and failure will find comfort in hanging around people with their same problem. But they will soon realize what they missed by not going for their goals and dreams. They will realize how foolish it was to put your feelings aside and dreams because of a little fear. I like this poem because it applies to some people that I know. They are always hoping and waiting for things to happen for them, when they need to be out there making things happen for themselves. I also agree with Karen when she said a lot of new students are silent and not outgoing meeting new people because they are afraid of rejection.
~G
COWARDS
“Show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes
To not be alone in the cold desolate air that surrounds you,
Between others, amongst strangers.”
This line of the poem is very deep, for me at least. It describes how I feel most of the time, but in my case every time I try to show the world what I’m made of, someone or something always brings me back down… The tone of the poem is encouragement, those who are shy are always afraid to take risks, or in this case “never tried to sip some wine.” It tells of how even though you are nervous or shy you have to make yourself stand above the rest just as it says “And the few smart like you can join together, when the rest of the world has paired up”. The type of figurative language I noticed in here was a metaphor, “That two halves of a star would soon collide”, how can 2 “half” stars clash? In other words “love at first site” where you will someday clash with the person you will live the rest of your life with (otherwise know as your better half =D). I noticed a kind a reverse psychology when the writer tells the reader “And in the end it will all come out just as you planned”; this goes against everything he has just said. He says this trying to encourage the reader to stop being shy and try new things, through reverse psychology. I didn’t like this poem… I LOVED it! It applies to young people and all of the experiences they have gone through or will go through. I agree with D_V_N because most of us have gone through or will go through this experience at one point in our life. Great poem Mista D.
-BR_ND_N
This poem tells how one person can say so much about something but in the end they couldn’t do it. Even if you show it, it doesn’t mean that it is right or good enough to impress anyone until you try your best. Everyone keeps their own views on life and almost all of them believe the “good” in people and they have their reasons to do so. Like a thief, those people are cowards since they didn’t try to get a job and get an honest life but to them they think they are stealing from the “bad” people who should lose their items. The lines, “Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.
Pretend, pardon, give excuses so no one points their finger at you.”
Shows how people use excuses to avoid getting in trouble rather than taking the blame and learning so they won’t do that again but they rather second-guess over taking what’s really will happen. I agree Shawn J. about the tone being “Carpe Diem” since you get so many chances to fix your mistakes but some people are too stubborn to see that and live in their world as seeing what’s right and what is wrong. I like this poem because it tells how most if not all of the people act like a coward at one time or another but it takes time to see that the world isn’t only through your eyes but through many.
“Cowards”
I liked this poem, this poem made me think about people who don’t have enough confidence and wants to blame others for it. I also liked this poem because it made me realize that if you stay inside your head a lot you will only be hurting yourself. Instead of hiding form the world, let yourself be known and be optimistic. My favorite line of the poem is “Make a move, seizes the day, Show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes to not be alone in the cold desolate air that surrounds you, Between others, amongst strangers. That’s right- don’t even try; At your time the world will understand. Of course no one will notice you blending in the shadows-Hiding inside your head.” This is my favorite because this is encouraging someone to get up and do something instead of just letting life pass you by. The tone of this poem is motivational and encouraging, and also it’s inspiration. I agree with the person who said that the author wants us to get up and make something of ourselves and not sit around and be “unconfident cowards.” And also to let people know you have what it takes to be whatever you want with a little motivational and I think this poem will be a good motivational piece. In this poem I noticed it was mainly free verse no rhyming words, and I noticed a metaphor like “An a Frightened fool, unconfident coward . . . ,” because you are comparing fool and coward because they both have similar definition like a fool is not taking an opportunity and coward is lack of courage of timid and if you are a coward odds are you passing up an opportunity that is just being foolish.
“Cowards”
Mr. Donoso,
this poem didn’t make a lot of sense to me at first but after reading it like three times I finally understood it.
“Frightened fool, unconfident coward, How you always seem to wish all the time. How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.”
What Im getting from this poem is the fact that people sometimes get in a situation when they are new and don’t know anyone, I understand that many people would try to say something but are afraid of messing up, but then when you said “And in the end it will all come out just as you planned. Never hurt, never cheated like the rest of those people Who thought trying was better than rejection.” I agreed with you because at least they were trying to be noticed. Many people don’t act like themselves, they think in acting differntly they will be noticed, but no that’s not true just act the way you are.
when you said : “Those crazy fools who believe that fate was around the corner,
That two halves of a star would soon collide, That destiny was at their fingertips,”
I didn’t quite understand this line but it was Im guessing that you meant that if someone hopes that something good is going to happen it can usually end in a problem and they are the only one to solve it. I was reading Karens comment and agreed with what she said about many students being quiet, but because they are afraid of being rejected.
_ JV Darkblade
“And in the end it will all come out just as you planned.
Never hurt, never cheated like the rest of those people
Who thought trying was better than rejection.”
This quote I understood well, because I know how it feels not wanting to get hurt and to just sit back, to never let love come near me because it was easier than way, to never let rejection touch me.
But now it’s almost like the quote:
“never tried to sip some wine
To find out only that you would’ve loved it.”
type of thing...
It’s nice to get a little rejection now and then to let yourself that your still living, to feel all the emotions that a human being can feel [and sometimes all at once].
To me, your tone in this poem sounds somewhat annoyed that cowards aren’t taking a chance, that they rather sit back and hide then to get out there in the game and try.
What made me think this is when through-out the poem your telling cowards to get out of the shadows, to stop hiding behind themselves, how they should stop letting “if” get in the way of love.
I loved this poem, very touching with just the right words in very place. =]
This poem gets....
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L0L.
I liked this poem because it is so true. Like the author was describing this supposable “coward,” which is the people in this world that don’t take a risk in love. Those people that keep themselves locked away from the world to not get hurt. Like the line that says,” How you always seem to wish all the time.” The “cowards” just seem to wish they could things but never take the risks to do them. I could never be one of those cowards. Yes in this world when you date there is a risk of getting hurt. But what is a life without risks? The author’s tone was assertive and sarcastic, by stating things like “make a move” or “seize the day”. The author was saying to those cowards that live out among us go out there and take a risk. Go out there and do something that you know you may not succeed in. Life is full of chances if you hide from all those risks your never truly living. Love, friendship, trust these are things that are so simple that make life worth wild, but they are full of risks. You have to take a chance to trust another human to not hurt you. How can you if you don’t take that one chance. Could you live day by day doing the same thing over and over and hiding away from the world? Would it all be worth it in the end? No you lose the opportunity to find love and to trust someone instead of only trusting yourself. Being just like the poem said a coward, simply afraid of getting hurt and taking risks. I live my life as if each day was my last. Taking risks make mistakes, but learning from them. If you don’t make mistakes you never learn and you never grow. Plus we are human we are suppose to make mistakes and take risks. I defiantly agree with what Devin and Ana about this character living in denial…he’s scared a coward and thinks that he can’t, and is just in the back seat looking at others moving along… I must admit that I was that coward once upon a time. But I saw that sitting back with the shadows never was worth it. At the end of my days I was the same and unchanged. Finally I grew tired of my shyness and got out there. Seeing that once I tasted this wine I loved it and still do till this day. Being shy, and a coward gets you nowhere in this life. You need to take that chance to stand out regardless if you are rejected or not. It doesn’t matter what other’s think of you, but if you are happy with yourself and where your at. At the end of the day you decide, to be the bold person that takes risks or to hide in the shadows safe.
“Cowards”
“Frightened fool, unconfident coward, how you always seem to wish all the time”
The authors tone is anger and frustration. When the author said “Frightened fool, unconfident coward, how you always seem to wish all the time” I figured that someone has frustrated him to the point were he exploded.
I really did not care much for poem. First, it was really hard to comprehend and after the second line of the poem I lost focus. In the first line of this poem the author insult the subject by using the word fool and coward. In my opinion I think that the author was too judgmental. The subject might have just need encouragement and guidance.
I agree with anyone that is able to see that the author was judgmental and need to give the subject more encouragement and guidance.
“Cowards”
“Frightened fool, unconfident coward, how you always seem to wish all the time”
The authors tone is anger and frustration. When the author said “Frightened fool, unconfident coward, how you always seem to wish all the time” I figured that someone has frustrated him to the point where he exploded.
I really did not care much for this poem. First, it was really hard to comprehend and after the second line of the poem I lost focus. In the first line of this poem the author insulted the subject by using the words fool and coward. In my opinion I think that the author was too judgmental. The subject might have just needed encouragement and guidance.
I will agree with anyone that is able to see that the author was judgmental and needed to be more encouraging.
“Cowards”
“How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.”
This line is very relevant because I like to use “if” in many circumstances.
“If I wasn’t as lazy” or “If I had a chance”. It is as if that means that I cannot change the reason why I cannot. I can stop being lazy and do my work at school. The third time I read this poem though, I kept thinking about this girl that I have been meaning to talk to for some time now. There is no reason to doubt myself, because she’s going to be feeling me either way.
“Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.”
I think the tone of this poem is disappointed. The author sounds very disappointed in the reader that they would go and doubt themselves instead of going out there and doing it!
The reader is said to wish all the time and this is portrayed as a negative quality.
Unlike many of the previous poems, this one lacks similes and metaphors. There are no comparisons given. This poem is pretty straightforward with no hidden messages. The moral of the poem is, don’t be doubtful, and that confidence breeds success.
I like this one because it is more personal than the previous poems. The author is speaking directly to me, and I begin to feel guilty. This is the purpose of the poem, because everyone doubts them selves sometimes, and anyone will relate to it. My favorite part of the poem, was when the author said,
“Why even think about it, why this long lecture to yourself, Who are you trying to convince? Yourself? Your heart, your mind?” because when you begin to get scared, you start a dialogue in your head and weigh your options and often think negatively.
I agree with Matt when he said, “the metaphore of sipping wine as a truely happy life” because wine is only used during special occasions. Only when you accomplish something do you start to sip wine. I do not agree with Shawn when he said Devon would not get the girl, because Devon pulls females all over the place. What?
"Cowards"
"Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time."
This line of the poem shows a really mean, aggravated tone. Seems like the author is mad at someone for not trying and giving up. "Make a move, seize the day,
Show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes
To not be alone in the cold desolate air that surrounds you,
Between others, amongst strangers." This line in the poem shows how the author of the poem is saying don't be afraid and seize the moment. Taking risks are a big part of life and if they are bad then we learn from it and do everything in our power to learn from it and avoid it from happening again.
"That two halves of a star would soon collide".
This line of the poem shows personification, because stars don't have halves and they don't collide. What the author is trying to say is that two people will soon meet and embrace each other and become inseparable.
I personally like this poem and the point of view that the author is coming from, he/she is telling someone how giving up leads to the least wanted outcome and shows little effort. "And the few smart like you can join together
When the rest of the world has paired up", I really liked this line because it's telling the person by the time the quitter tries it will be too late all the good people will have joined together already. When I read this poem it really makes you second guess on giving up because it shows you the outcome and how everything slips if you don't take advantage of the moment. I agree with "DVN Johnson" when he says the poem is understandable that almost everyone will go through a "fear of rejection" phase in their life. It makes me think about a heartbroken person who is giving up on love because they experienced one heartbreak and they think just because of that one heartbreak they wont be able to love again, and they give up on looking for the right one. This is a good poem for someone to read who thinks about giving up on anything. I'm pretty sure if I was giving up on something and I read this poem it would really inspire me to keep my head up and keep trying to strive for the best. Good poem Mr. Donoso
--Sarto Joli
--Block 2
Cowards
"Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.
How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.
Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.
Pretend, pardon, give excuses so no one points their finger at you."
Wow Mr.Donoso this line in your poem is the most important line in this poem to me. This person seems agitated by cowards, like the bother him and makes him angry.
you can tell he is agitated when he says,
"That’s right- don’t even try;". He’s telling the coward that no one cares about the way he thinks.
This poem and especially this stanza gives off so much energy. Its really powerful the way he attacking this coward.
"And the few smart like you can join together
When the rest of the world has paired up;"
To me the tone of this poem is angry ,disappointed in the person he is speaking to. He seems very frustrated by the way this person is acting. How he cowers behind things that are not good. The author in this poem is saying to the coward that you need to stand up and leave the blanket you hide behind. He is very concerned on giving the coward pointers on how to stand and be free
"To find out only that you would’ve loved it".
to me he is being mean; rude seemed unconcerned because he is like using reverse psychology to tell him to stop being a coward.
This poem I enjoyed, it a lot it had so much feeling and passion in it. It kept me on the edge of the seat. I want to know why, you felt this way towards cowards, why to you the author it was so important to pick out the cowards.
Like sorto said " I really liked this line because it's telling the person by the time the quitter tries it will be too late all the good people will have joined together already." i agreed because the line was very powerful.
Sorto did a really good job at expressing the way he felt, and i also felt very similar to the way sorto felt,
again Kudos. Mr. Donoso
Amanda B.
p.2
BASTARD..
"How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different." I think that is very true, I strongly agree with you there Mr. D. It is worst when somebody says well what if this, what if that! The truth is that’s not what it is so get over it and deal with the real problem. This is a poem to those who live in the world in a group of the naive and selfish people. I kind of feel the same way about my real dad who has never been there for me. He is very selfish and only cares about himself. I wish he spoke English so that I could send this to him! Haha. This makes me think a lot, I wonder a lot now I want to know exactly why my dad acts the way he does. I feel like a philosopher! Haha. I agree with Karen when she says “Why can’t they just get up and meet new people?” as you may already know, I am a very outgoing girl. At times I think the same as Karen, how can you be so quiet and not talk to anyone? Your tone is very angry, just how I feel when I think about that bastard (my father), I resent him for not loving me like my mom and step dad do, but I don’t keep hate in my heart, I don’t keep grudges. Thank you Mr. D who have opened a new door on my train of thoughts. Great poem!
xoxox
Title: Coward
Very interesting poem here. The poet here is talking about himself. I much very agree with nico about the poem being for the self-fish and naive people in this world. "How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different." That line is the one that got to me because i agree with the thought. People try to hide or dont speak much when they think the world revolves arounf them, which is definatley not true at all. All in all, this poem was not your best , but it was a good one. Doesnt mean you suck your actually good lol.
-stephanie c. =p
Assignment # 5 Cowards
“
How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different”
What if this would have happened is a popular phrase that many people like to use. It is an escape from the failure that we have accomplished. What if I would have passed that test? If only had studied more, I might have passed. If only I had asked her out, I would have known if she liked me or not.
The tone seems bitter to me, like the poem is directed to the writer, more then the audience. It seems to speak of personal experience. Like in the line, “Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.” I interpret that to e a question to oneself.
There is a metaphor in this poem. Found in one of the final lines. “Maybe you’ll learn to finally love and accept yourself
Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine
To find out only that you would’ve loved it.” Wine represents class, while at the same time representing danger. Someone who never drank before criticizes those who have tasted it, but when they finally do they realize that they love it. The same is with taking chances with life.
I liked this poem, even though I felt that it was directed towards the writer, the poem challenged me to the steering wheel into my own hands instead of riding on cruise control.
I agree with Karen when she says “Why can’t they just get up and meet new people?” It must suck not to be a friendly person. To be too scared make new friends.
I really enjoyed this poem. I liked it a lot more then the last one.
Assignment # 5 Cowards
“
How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different”
What if this would have happened is a popular phrase that many people like to use. It is an escape from the failure that we have accomplished. What if I would have passed that test? If only had studied more, I might have passed. If only I had asked her out, I would have known if she liked me or not.
The tone seems bitter to me, like the poem is directed to the writer, more then the audience. It seems to speak of personal experience. Like in the line, “Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.” I interpret that to e a question to oneself.
There is a metaphor in this poem. Found in one of the final lines. “Maybe you’ll learn to finally love and accept yourself
Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine
To find out only that you would’ve loved it.” Wine represents class, while at the same time representing danger. Someone who never drank before criticizes those who have tasted it, but when they finally do they realize that they love it. The same is with taking chances with life.
I liked this poem, even though I felt that it was directed towards the writer, the poem challenged me to the steering wheel into my own hands instead of riding on cruise control.
I agree with Karen when she says “Why can’t they just get up and meet new people?” It must suck not to be a friendly person. To be too scared make new friends.
I really enjoyed this poem. I liked it a lot more then the last one.
Cowards
Mr. Donoso this poem has captured me a great deal. I applaud how you started it, “Frightened fools, unconfident cowards” this grabbed my attention immediately. By reading these opening lines I can predict what this poem will be about and can tell that it will be interesting, when I finished I was not disappointed.
“And in the end it will all come out just as you planned
Never hurt never cheated like the rest of those people
Who thought trying was better than rejection” I like these lines because it shows how you were almost playing the devils advocate. You say these words to give your readers an understanding of how the coward thinks. They honestly believe that they are better of that the rest who have tried but failed they believe it is best not to have tried than to be rejected. I compare those lines to these;
“That’s right just sit there and stare, Maybe you’ll learn to finally love and accept yourself into your little tribe of cowards who tried to sip some wine, to find out only that you’ve loved it”.
These lines now gives the coward a reality check as to say, no you are not benefiting from doing nothing in the end you will realize that it was best to try and fail than to not have tried at all. You will finally gain some experience and value yourself some more not downing yourself for failure but trying to rise above that learn and move on. I understand this poem and I believe that it applies to anyone who fears rejection or failure there is no justification for it but the fact remains that one cannot be sheltered all their life without any problems, or obstacles these things mold you into who you are and who you will be and everyone must go through their share to be stronger and more equipped for the future.
I agree with Nicole as she analyzes the line “How you love to use the word if to make the situation different” she says that many try and justify everything by saying what if this and that they let these two little letters govern their lives when they need not to.
Great Poem your favorite Student Sheriece
This poem made me think of all of those cowards in the world, hiding away from everyone because they are afraid to get hurt. It made me realize that I was one of them. I am tired of always being hurt, rejected or just plain used. I decided to hide my real self and I only let a select few into my hiding spot. But hiding did not take away the pain, or the feeling of emptiness and it sure didn’t let me hide the people I hate away from my vision. And hiding isn’t being free. In fact it limits you severely because there's no one beside you to help you move forward.
Comment on “Cowards”
I think this poem is showing the characters self conscience or feelings inside himself talking and expressing how he or she feels. I think this poem is about meeting new people and how the character always “conforms to the environment” or “ conforms” to people, he or she never listens to themselves; that is why his or her self conscience deep inside is saying how he or she really feels in this poem. The reason I think this is because in this paragraph “Frightened fool, unconfident coward, How you always seem to wish all the time. How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different. Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again. Pretend, pardon, give excuses so no one points their finger at you.” proves just that.
I think the tone of this poem is abusive or harsh and has a very brisk tone. The characters conscience is really badgering him and criticizing him and only speaks of his negatives even though they’re true. This sentence makes me feel this way, “Make a move, seize the day, show yourself and the world that you still have what it takes to not be alone in the cold desolate air that surrounds you, between others, amongst strangers.” But I also think deep inside the character wants to stop following people and show who he really is.
“How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.”
When I first read this I was confused because I had yet to figure out what the poem, Coward, was about but after I read the poem and listened to the song, “I Want to Know What Love Is” by the band Foreigner, I realized what the “if” was. “If” represents the question we sometimes ask ourselves when we are deciding whether or not to be bold and courageous. In this case the question was probably along the lines of, What if she rejects me? Or what if something happens then something else happens and then I get hurt? These types of questions are meant to discourage yourself and to give reason for your own cowardly acts. Once I understood the line I asked myself some questions; Do I use the “if” to protect myself? Did I use it in the past? etc. When I finally gathered enough strength to answer these questions (because I am terrible sick), I replied with a yes and a yes. In the past I vaguely remember using the “if” to avoid lots of things but then I met Holly. Somehow Holly didn’t tell me but showed me what happens when you live without fear. The repercussions were pretty awesome (for me). I felt truly alive; a feeling in which one taste would never be enough. I didn’t take it to the point of doing illegal actions because I am never ever swayed by peer pressure, it’s a weakness and if I can avoid a weakness within myself I always will because I am constantly trying to better myself. As for now, I do use the “if” but generally to weigh pros and cons and to think whether an action has the potential to lead to awesomeness or if the action is like taking a bite of food that you have witnessed has just caused two other people to be rushed to the ER, just plain stupid.
The tone of the poem is self-critical, disgust, mocking almost but also it has this underlining tone of trying to incite action, encouragement, and the slightest hint of regret and sadness.
“Frightened fool, unconfident coward,
How you always seem to wish all the time.
How you love to use an “if” to make the situation different.
Go ahead, look back at yourself and doubt yourself again.
Pretend, pardon, give excuses so no one points their finger at you.”
The first stanza shows the mocking of the narrator to himself and the first line sets the tone of disgust. As the poem continues, I realized the poem had the tone of like a football coach. It was mocking and almost hurtful but it is meant to incite action and encourage in a weird and twisted way. I think you were trying to encourage yourself to look around and see how alive people are because they took a chance. The encouragement can be seen vividly throughout the poem. As the poem concludes with, “Into your little tribe of cowards that never tried to sip some wine
To find out only that you would’ve loved it.“, I can hear the regret and sadness as the poet takes in the fact that this coward is himself. That he is the one who has been hiding away. Overall, I found the poem to be self-critical because you are analyzing yourself and what you perceive to be a fault within yourself. You are giving comments and opinions about the fault in what I found to be a critical way.
I think I found some personification in the line, “Make a move, seize the day”, because technically you can’t “seize” a day. It’s kind of stupid of me to mention it because I believe we really can SEIZE THE DAY! (lol) The next line is a metaphor and a hyperbole. “Of course no one will notice you blending in the shadows-Hiding inside your head.” I highly doubt you are blending in the shadows and hiding inside your head. What I believe this line actually means is that no one will notice you are actually not taking chances out of fear, that your excuses will cover it all up with the help of your “ifs”. The line is meant to be sarcastic.
I believe I like all of your poems. I have yet to read one that makes me say, Wow. What a pointless poem. Everything from the sentence about dining with the candles to the font size had to be written by a monkey with half of a brain. I have to say a poem with the line, “And I sat until dusk dining with candles”, would probably be a beautiful poem. I enjoyed this poem because it was self-critical and I believe before we can criticize others we must first criticize our self. I think my favorite line was, “That’s right- don’t even try;” I can’t put it into words why I liked it but every time I read the line it makes me smile. I love the last line. Mainly, because it has this moment-of-truth power to it and makes the poem end with a feeling that I can’t find words to describe but it makes me want to applaud the narrator for such a grand speech.
Apparently Karen B. was wondering why people isolate themselves during the school year instead of getting up and meeting new people. She believes that it is because they are afraid of rejection but I beg to differ. I think some people do isolate themselves for that reason but sometimes people find more peace within themselves than the outside world and I think it is especially stupid when people call people “emo” when they see people isolate themselves from friends. People need space. I, especially, do that to get insight and if I am in a agitated type of mood then it is to avoid me blowing up in someone’s face for something really stupid.
Krishni
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