{ “For Jenn” By Megan, Alicia and Talia

Main idea/message The message is despite life's obstacles you must have hope and courage and seek out safety and comfort as life is beautiful. Gibson stating “I know our wounds are as deep as the Atlantic. But every ocean has a shoreline and every shore line has a tide that is constantly returning.” This implies that our problems in life are never the same, and the balance of life is something that is always changing. But the tide coming back in shows that we will always get washed up and be home safe again. Also Gibson suggests people will always have hope and courage to return to their homes, where they are safe despite their obstacles she’s incorporates this by referring to hurricane Katrina when everyone had to leave their homes because of the damage and terrible disaster. This is where every boarded up window is still painted with the words “we’re coming back.”

Metaphor The metaphor “veins are kite strings you can only cut free” suggests the actions of self harm, as she is trying to overcome her emotions. She refers to her veins as kites and the only solution she feels is that she must cut them free. This relates to the main message as she is going through a rough time at this part of the poem. The tone of the poem is very dark and suicidal, however later in the text she allows this darkness to develop. She shows the reader that she has overcome these obstacles of anxiety, and that it is important for everyone to do this.

Simile In the simile “I’d watch the nicotine rising from her lips like halos,” Comparing life and death by using halos as a reference to life and nicotine which aloods to death. Angels being seen as such delicate symbols creates awe for Gibson watching her friend do such a beautiful thing with something so poisonous makes her feels inatiquit. This relates to the main message because the balance of life is beautiful and she recognizes this in the use of this simile as comparing such contrasted things creates a meaningful strong simile.

Repition The repition “just take me, just take me” creates the tone of wanting to get away, escaping from her life’s problem, being in the fourth stanza and still very early on in the poem. The tone at this stage of the text is very dark and portrays she’s given up hope. This relates to the message of the poem as in this text she allows this darkness to develop. She shows the reader that she has overcome these obstacles of anxiety, and that it is important for everyone to do this.

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Btw that was alicias dad…