THROUGH JAMES’ LENS
Introduction:
After my extensive thinking, writing, and revising of these poems, I’ve finally decided that it is complete. I have arranged these poems in a particular order and chosen each poem out my collection very precisely. After conferencing with my professor, I was inspired to look deeper into my own work and find new ways to share with people my thoughts through my poetry. I found new ways to explain my thought process and who I really am. The experiences I’ve had through class and small group discussions have widened my range of creativity. My peers have shared with me what they think can improve my work and their advice has been extremely helpful. I’ve also shared with them ways I think they can improve their work. It has been very beneficially being in a class of such supportive people.
At first, I thought of poetry of a certain set of guidelines that poets always follow. I was under the impression that it had to follow a specific pattern, have a set number of stanzas with a set number of lines. Thankfully, that is not the case. It was way easier to produce better poetry when I stopped trying to rhyme every single line. My lines actually started to make sense. I started getting better with practice. When I had the time, I would just write stuff down on a page. Literally anything that came to my mind, I would write down. The revision portion was the hardest part for me. It was difficult for me to accept the fact that I had to go back and change something that I considered to be complete work. Eventually, I realized that revision is an essential part of poetry. It is not meant to be criticism or judgmental in any way at all. It is meant to be helpful in the sense that it helps your writing become better. Here are five poems that I see as my best work:
- Ars/Ours Poetica
Poetry
Poetry is words in a line.
Poetry is words that rhyme.
It helps release your hatred.
It makes your mind feel naked.
Used to spread a message.
Used in every language.
If to fly meant to love,
Then poetry is a dove.
—
Now I have a clue,
What poetry can really do.
It can be any kind.
It doesn’t have to rhyme.
Poetry is rain and sun.
Poetry is lots of fun.
- List Poem
Everyday
Everyday I have much to do.
Take a shower, use shampoo.
Dress nice, look brand new.
Eat breakfast, a bagel or two.
Go to class, homework is due.
Time for lunch, eat more food.
Basketball practice, clean blue shoes.
So tired, time to snooze.
- Free Poem #1
Basketball
I love to play basketball.
It teaches me great things about life.
Helps your friends up when they’re down.
If you mess up
try again.
I only have one family so
give everything you got to the people
who give everything to you.
I love basketball.
- Epiphany Poem
I Kept Trying
At first, it was difficult.
As I couldn’t work the pedals
and I fell off
a few times.
I scraped both my knees
and my elbow, too. But
I kept trying.
Slowly, I made progress.
As the pedals became comfortable
and I didn’t fall off
as many times.
I put on my bandaids
And tightened my helmet, too. And
I kept trying.
At last, I got it.
As the fresh air breezed
through my hair,
how amazing.
I went faster and faster
and with no hands, too. Because
I kept trying.
- UNE Gallery Poem
Picture: Along the Waterway
At the top of the world
in my bird’s nest. I can see
for miles and miles.
Sun setting in the distance,
so beautiful. You couldn’t see
a better sight.
A boat in the water
approaching the dock. I wonder if they see
Me waving at them.
At the top of the world
in my bird’s nest. I can see
myself being here awhile.
