A Parting Gift Analysis

Matt Ambrosino

Poetry Analysis

“A Parting Gift” is a poem about a wallet given to the speaker by his grandfather, just before his grandfather passed away. In the poem, the wallet not only acts as a physical object, but also as a representation of the lessons and values passed down to the speaker by his grandfather, as well as the respect the speaker had for his grandfather. Matt Ambrosino uses personification, connotation, and figurative speech in “A Parting Gift” to display the respect he had for his grandfather as a role model and teacher.

            Matt uses connotation to draw a connection between the speaker and his grandfather, and establish a relationship. The poem mentions that the wallet once belonged to the speaker’s grandfather, and that it now belongs to the speaker. This connection to family connotes a loving relationship. This is important to the message of the poem as a whole because it establishes how the speaker feels about his grandfather. If the poem had a negative connotation, the poem would be completely different. The establishment of this relationship also sets up the poem to explain the meaning of the wallet itself, and what the wallet means. Similarly to the relationship between grandson and grandfather, if there were a negative connotation, the wallet would stand as a negative memory.

            Matt also uses personification to display that the wallet is representative of the values of the speaker’s grandfather, which are important to the speaker. In the poem, the wallet “preaches simple practicality.” By having the wallet preach, the speaker is showing that the wallet in and of itself is communicating a message. It takes on what would normally be the role of a person, in this case the speakers grandfather. This is important to the rest of the poem because it displays the significance of the wallet itself. It also helps support that the wallet is important to the speaker because of its reflection of the ideals of the speaker’s grandfather.  In turn, this continues to build on the relationship between the speaker and his grandfather, which was first created by connotation in the beginning of the poem. All of this is essential in building a positive image around the speaker, the wallet, and the speaker’s grandfather.

            Ambrosino uses figurative speech throughout the poem to show that the wallet has a deeper meaning than simply being a wallet. As proven by other literary devices, the wallet really stands a beacon of the speaker’s grandfather, and as a reminder of the lessons that were important to him. This part is absolutely essential to the poem as a whole. Without it, the wallet simply remains a wallet and has no deeper meaning. The relationship between the speaker and his grandfather becomes less significant, and the wallet loses all significance. The figurative language in this poem is the driving force behind the most important messages of the poem.

             Matt Ambrosino uses personification, connotation, and figurative speech in “A Parting Gift” to display the respect he had for his grandfather as a role model and teacher. The uses of the literary devices connotation, personification, and figurative in this poem presented a very clear message of respect, and good relations between the speaker of the poem and his grandfather. Without these important literary devices the message of the poem would be lost.  

Poetry Reflection

Matt Ambrosino

Poetry reflection

           

            My time in Poetry class has definitely changed me as a reader, writer, and even listener of poetry. It opened up a whole new world of poetry to me that before taking the class was hidden. Whether it was famous poets like Shakespeare, lesser known poets like those we saw in the poetry slam movie, or modern-day poetry superstars like Harry Baker, I have now been exposed to all different types, styles, and themes of poetry. Not only have I read or listened to this variety of poetry, but even practiced some of it myself. These are the things that have allowed me to grow and change as a poet and reader.

            Before taking Poetry, I was a classic case of a poem-pessimist. I didn’t really enjoy poetry at all. Unless it was a Dr. Seuss-style poem, with a fast pace and tons of rhyming, I found poetry to be quite boring. This boredom stemmed from my ignorance in the inner workings of a poem.  If something didn’t have a satisfying rhyme scheme I never understood what made it a poem. I just looked at it as a collection of short, sometimes incomplete and confusing sentences, creating some sort of hidden message that I could never seem to find. I didn’t know what Iambic Pentameter is, and I certainly didn’t know how hard it is to write. I didn’t know about the intricacy and challenge of a 39-line sestina. It just looked like repeating words being used a cop-out to writing and actual poem. I wrote poetry the same way. I looked back through an old poetry notebook from probably fifth grade. Every poem written in it rhymed. While you can’t expect much more from a fifth grader, it is a good example of how I viewed poetry for a long time.

            Since taking the class, everything has changed for me. My understanding of poetry is infinitely higher than it was in previous years. I now know what really goes into poems. I know how difficult it is to write in the Iambic Pentameter, especially if you actually want to write a good poem. This knowledge has given me a new respect for poetry. I understand that even though a poem may seem uneventful at face value, the immense effort put into the construction of that poem, while still delivering a message is remarkable. The important part, though, is the deliverance of a message- another part of poetry I struggled with. Every poem analysis we have done this semester has involved a part about literary devices. From connotation, to allusion, to tone, we have studied tons of different devices. With our knowledge of these devices we have torn into various poems and ripped out the parts that give the poem it’s meaning. This had allowed me to discover the message of a poem by careful analysis, as opposed to simply reading the words for what they are and trying to guess at the message. Once again, this has given me a new appreciation for poetry.

            I will probably not continue to write poetry.  I sometimes find it hard to enjoy writing poetry, as sometimes I feel constricted. Whether it is following a certain rhyme scheme, or a format, I sometimes struggle to find the fun in writing. However, I want it to be clear that this did not take away from the class. I will continue to read and appreciate the poetry of others, with a newfound sense of understanding and enjoyment. Although I didn’t discover a new skill in Poetry Class, I unlocked a new hobby and a new way to find enjoyment. To me, this is as important if not more so than being able to write myself. Whether it’s in school, on the SAT’s, or in a book, I see poetry everywhere. It comforts me to know that when I do come across it, I’ll be able to enjoy and understand it.

The Wind draft 3

It blows with vigor, gusts with gentle care.
It shakes the tallest trees and moves the larg
est stones. But then it carries fragile seeds
like loving mother carries tiny chi
ld. Spreading life to all the remote corn
ers of the earth. It can be used but nev
er trapped. Lacking motive, lacking con
scious, always free. The wind is truly strong.

Strange Love draft 3

When you're in my hands I just can't let go
You show me the path when I end up lost
I cannot leave the house unless I know
You're there beside me I don't care what cost

I ask you any question any time
and you will always have the right answer
You can solve any problem, friend's or mine
you show me things from pictures to dancers

You allow me to connect with new friends
Your glowing eyes can show me all the world
and your games regale me without an end
When you are in my hands I'm never bored

I don't feel complete when I'm all alone
I almost wish that you were not a phone

A Love Poem to Food draft 3

You fill the empty void inside me
You have a million tasteful personalities
I cannot survive without you
Your encouragement fuels me

You have a million tasteful personalities
Sometimes you're cold, but I like you hot
Your encouragement fuels me
Without you my energy seeps away

Sometimes you're cold, but I like you hot
I cannot survive without you
Without you my energy seeps away
You fill the empty void inside me

Wandering Minds draft 3

I went up stairs for something I lost
I Checked the weather, checked the clock
          I combed out my hair
          Went back down the stairs
But the thing that I lost I forgot.

Ski Pole draft 3

I smacked you in the face for no good reason
It was supposed to be a joke
But now your tooth lies cracked in the snow
An invisible needle in an endless haystack
You feel nothing but pain and confusion
Not sure what happened
But positive something is wrong
The tooth is replaceable, but the dull thud it makes,
the off-white coloring always slightly different than the others
and memories of the gut wrenching crack of metal on bone
will always remind you
of when I smacked you in the face for no good reason.