" For me, poetry is very much he time that it takes to unroll, the way music does... Its not a static, comtemplatable thing like a painting or a piece of sculpture.”-John Ashbery
John Lawrence Ashbery was born in Rochester, New York, on July 28th 1927, the first son of Chester Frederick (a farmer) and Helen Ashbery (a biology teacher).
Ashbery graduated from Harvard University in 1949 and received a master’s degree from Columbia University (N.Y.) in 1951. After working as a copywriter in New York City (1951–55), he lived in Paris until 1965, contributing art criticism to the Paris edition of the New York Herald-Tribune and to the American periodical Art News. Returning to New York, he served as executive editor of Art News from 1965 to 1972 and then took a post teaching poetry and creative writing at Brooklyn College.
Ashbery’s first published book, Turandot and Other Poems (1953), was followed by Some Trees (1956), The Tennis Court Oath (1962), Rivers and Mountains (1966), and The Double Dream of Spring (1970). His collection Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror (1975) was awarded the National Book Award for poetry, the Pulitzer Prize for poetry, and the National Book Critics Circle prize. His subsequent poetry volumes include Houseboat Days (1977), A Wave (1984), April Galleons (1987), Flow Chart (1991), And the Stars Were Shining (1994), Can You Hear, Bird (1995), Wakefulness (1998), Chinese Whispers (2002), and A Worldly Country (2007).
Ashbery’s poetry was initially greeted with puzzlement and even hostility owing to its extreme difficulty. His poems are characterized by arresting images and exquisite rhythms, an intricate form, and sudden shifts in tone and subject that produce curious effects of fragmentation and obliquity. They are appreciated more as highly suggestive and dreamlike meditations rather than for any decipherable meaning they may possess
Ashbery is very much intrigueing because he is poet, an executive editor and a writer of reviews. He was talented as he was writing poems since his schooldays, and is an American poet noted for the elegance, originality, and obscurity of his poetry, which has won him many admirers. This was through hard work for a lifetime and is not easy to acheive. He is currently the Charles P. Stevenson, Jr., Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College. Thus, I find it remarkable to be an editor and writer of reviews, and a poet who has produce such awesome poems.
A list of his poems:
>Some Trees
>The Tennis Court Oath
>Rivers and Mountains
>The Vermont Notebook
>Houseboat Days
>Shadow Train
>A Wave
>Wakefulness
>As Umbrellas Follow Rain
>Chinese Whispers
References:
http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoet.do?poetId=91
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/38138/John-Ashbery
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/john_ashbery/biography
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/238
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
LA Assignment: Figurative Language
I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
>I wandered as lonely as a cloud
This line shows the usage of simile. The author uses this statement to describe that the he is exploring, feeling lonely just like a cloud, all on its own.
>A host, of golden daffodils; Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
This line here is a usage of personification. Here it shows that the golden daffodils are happy and joyful.
>Continous as the stars that shine, and twinkle on the milky way
This line makes use of a simile. It shows that there is an a abundance of golden daffodils, dancing in the breeze.
>Ten thousand saw I at a glance,tossing their heads in a sprightly dance.
This line is using personification. It represents the golden daffodils dancing in harmony with joy.
I like this poem because it shows an extensive use of simile and personification to describe the golden daffodils. It has a unique pattern of rhyming which is similiar for each paragraph- the 1st line and the 3rd line, the 2nd and 4th line and lastly the 5th line and the 6th line. Cool isn't it? The whole poem to me symbolises something and each paragraph tells a different part of a story. Its shows a person feeling lonely and gloom who saw a group of people so joyful and actually gives him a new perspective to life and he himself becomes joyful. To me I find this extremely meaningful and that is why I like this poem.
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
>I wandered as lonely as a cloud
This line shows the usage of simile. The author uses this statement to describe that the he is exploring, feeling lonely just like a cloud, all on its own.
>A host, of golden daffodils; Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
This line here is a usage of personification. Here it shows that the golden daffodils are happy and joyful.
>Continous as the stars that shine, and twinkle on the milky way
This line makes use of a simile. It shows that there is an a abundance of golden daffodils, dancing in the breeze.
>Ten thousand saw I at a glance,tossing their heads in a sprightly dance.
This line is using personification. It represents the golden daffodils dancing in harmony with joy.
I like this poem because it shows an extensive use of simile and personification to describe the golden daffodils. It has a unique pattern of rhyming which is similiar for each paragraph- the 1st line and the 3rd line, the 2nd and 4th line and lastly the 5th line and the 6th line. Cool isn't it? The whole poem to me symbolises something and each paragraph tells a different part of a story. Its shows a person feeling lonely and gloom who saw a group of people so joyful and actually gives him a new perspective to life and he himself becomes joyful. To me I find this extremely meaningful and that is why I like this poem.
Friday, June 26, 2009
LA Assignment
Hello, this is the final post for the my Holiday assignment and the topic today is: Is progress necessarily beneficial for society?
It is definite that everyone wants to improve, not become worst. Like, who would want to perform even worst for things like studies. That would be totally ironic. For example, whenever I like gaming online and my goal is to move to the next level. But that requires me to improve my skills, reflexes and hand-eye coordination. But do not worry, I am not addicted to it.
But that does not mean that progress is always a good thing. I will take reference from the novel, Village by the Sea, to prove my stand. In this case, the Goverment had to built factories in Thul which is part of progression. What they did not consider was the villagers in Thul. The Goverment actually took the land and sea from them, and as a result, the people of Thul lost their livelihood, some as a fisherman or farmer. The factories, once built, would pump poisonous chemicals into the sea killing the fishes and emit harmful gase into the air, polluting it. By building the factories would occupy the fertile land or Thul. To make matters worse, The villagers were not given a job in the factories as they only know how to fish and grow crops.
How would the villagers find a job to support their families and where are they going to stay?
Therefore, I conclude that progress is not essentially beneficial for the society.
It is definite that everyone wants to improve, not become worst. Like, who would want to perform even worst for things like studies. That would be totally ironic. For example, whenever I like gaming online and my goal is to move to the next level. But that requires me to improve my skills, reflexes and hand-eye coordination. But do not worry, I am not addicted to it.
But that does not mean that progress is always a good thing. I will take reference from the novel, Village by the Sea, to prove my stand. In this case, the Goverment had to built factories in Thul which is part of progression. What they did not consider was the villagers in Thul. The Goverment actually took the land and sea from them, and as a result, the people of Thul lost their livelihood, some as a fisherman or farmer. The factories, once built, would pump poisonous chemicals into the sea killing the fishes and emit harmful gase into the air, polluting it. By building the factories would occupy the fertile land or Thul. To make matters worse, The villagers were not given a job in the factories as they only know how to fish and grow crops.
How would the villagers find a job to support their families and where are they going to stay?
Therefore, I conclude that progress is not essentially beneficial for the society.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
LA Assignment
Hello today I will be posting about the topic - I rather be the city rat than the country rat.
Being a city rat you would receive a better quality education, better medical care, facilities such as malls, cinemas, libraries and have a public transport network. Having all these means they have a more advance technology which means to some people, a better and more convenient life. We also have air condition, computers, televisions and hand-held games. However, some people might take these for granted,though others treasure it as they know possesing these things is a luxury.
Being a country rat, though we do not have most things the city rats have, they have some things a city rat would be able to enjoy. Country rats have wide open spaces for activities such as sports unlike cities which are very cramped with buildings. The air is fresh and they are able to gat fresh food from growing vegetables and rearing animals. Unlike a city rat whose air is polluted and eat food which are usually processed. Life in a city is very hectic sometimes but peaceful in the country sides.
Therefore, in my opinion, I disagree with the statement I rather be a city rat than a country rat, not because I hate studying which can be really stressful sometimes, but because I love sports and want to experience what a peaceful atmosphere.
Being a city rat you would receive a better quality education, better medical care, facilities such as malls, cinemas, libraries and have a public transport network. Having all these means they have a more advance technology which means to some people, a better and more convenient life. We also have air condition, computers, televisions and hand-held games. However, some people might take these for granted,though others treasure it as they know possesing these things is a luxury.
Being a country rat, though we do not have most things the city rats have, they have some things a city rat would be able to enjoy. Country rats have wide open spaces for activities such as sports unlike cities which are very cramped with buildings. The air is fresh and they are able to gat fresh food from growing vegetables and rearing animals. Unlike a city rat whose air is polluted and eat food which are usually processed. Life in a city is very hectic sometimes but peaceful in the country sides.
Therefore, in my opinion, I disagree with the statement I rather be a city rat than a country rat, not because I hate studying which can be really stressful sometimes, but because I love sports and want to experience what a peaceful atmosphere.
LA Assignment
Hi, now i will be writing about my favourite character in the book.
Well, my favourite character in the book is Hari, not because he is the protaganist of the story, but because of his attitudes and personality. The one attitude that made me like him was his will to persevere. During his childhood, Hari had to take on the role of a father as his father was a drunkard and could not provide for the family. Therefore, he had to find a livelihood to provide for the family by selling coconuts, fish and work in the fields. When Hari realises what he was currently doing was not enough, he decided to go to Bombay in search of a decent job.With the help of two benefactors, he manage to earn enough money to support his family.
His determination to go at any cost for the welfare of his family proved that he was a brave and couragous guy. His journey in Bombay change his mindset of pessimistic one to an optismistic one and instilled in him a willingness to adapt to the environment, regardless of what it is. That is the reason why I like him.
Well, my favourite character in the book is Hari, not because he is the protaganist of the story, but because of his attitudes and personality. The one attitude that made me like him was his will to persevere. During his childhood, Hari had to take on the role of a father as his father was a drunkard and could not provide for the family. Therefore, he had to find a livelihood to provide for the family by selling coconuts, fish and work in the fields. When Hari realises what he was currently doing was not enough, he decided to go to Bombay in search of a decent job.With the help of two benefactors, he manage to earn enough money to support his family.
His determination to go at any cost for the welfare of his family proved that he was a brave and couragous guy. His journey in Bombay change his mindset of pessimistic one to an optismistic one and instilled in him a willingness to adapt to the environment, regardless of what it is. That is the reason why I like him.
LA Assignment
Hi, I will be posting about which part of the book Village by the Sea do I like best.
Well, my favourite is from chapter 4 to chapter 12 of the book because thats where Hari's adventure starts and ends which gripped me to read on. In chapter 4, Hari decided to leave his comfort zone to look for a better life in Bombay as he could not tolerate the troubles of his dysfunctional family. It was between these chapters when Hari and his family's life turn for the better. Hari manage to get a job by helping Jagu, the owner of the Sri Krishna Eating house, and Mr Panwallah, who took him as an apprentice and taught him watch mending. Without these benefactors, Hari would not be able to get his earnings which he brought back for his family later in the story. As for his family, his sisters manage to get help from the de Silvas who brought their ill mother to the hospital for treatment. This made me happy for him.
Hari was a strong, brave and decisive boy. The problems of his family did not wear him down but instead made him stronger in a sense that he went to Bombay to get a job to help his family. This encouraged me to strive for excellence despite countless struggles cause that's what makes a person stronger.
Well, my favourite is from chapter 4 to chapter 12 of the book because thats where Hari's adventure starts and ends which gripped me to read on. In chapter 4, Hari decided to leave his comfort zone to look for a better life in Bombay as he could not tolerate the troubles of his dysfunctional family. It was between these chapters when Hari and his family's life turn for the better. Hari manage to get a job by helping Jagu, the owner of the Sri Krishna Eating house, and Mr Panwallah, who took him as an apprentice and taught him watch mending. Without these benefactors, Hari would not be able to get his earnings which he brought back for his family later in the story. As for his family, his sisters manage to get help from the de Silvas who brought their ill mother to the hospital for treatment. This made me happy for him.
Hari was a strong, brave and decisive boy. The problems of his family did not wear him down but instead made him stronger in a sense that he went to Bombay to get a job to help his family. This encouraged me to strive for excellence despite countless struggles cause that's what makes a person stronger.
Friday, May 29, 2009
LA Assignment: My blog prompt
I am referring to the article "Fishing for trouble" from The Straits Times. This article is about the coral reefs in South-East Asia which are under serious threat from over fishing and pollution. I decided to post about this cause I am concern about the welfare of this natural wonders.
We are cooking up trouble in the paradise. The live seafood trade, driven by growing demand in an increasingly affluently China, poses the latest of many threats to South-East Asia's coral reefs. Pollution from a growing coastal population are degrading them, increased carbon dioxide levels are making the waters inhospitaby warm and acidic, bleaching and dissolving corals and fishermen thtreaten to eliminate the fish that hold the whole reef ecosystem teogether. These have long threaten the forests of the sea. Without immediate regulatory action, these magnificent natural wonders will be irrevocably lost.
Consider the Wakatobi Marine National Park off Sulawesi in Indonesia. The park is home to sundrenched beaches and sapphire waters, and some of the world's most spectacular reefs. Groupers inhabiting the reefs there can grow to between 60cm and 2.5m. However, not a single grouper larger than 20cm was observed now. Anything larger had been caught by local fishermen, destined to be on a dinner plate - and the local grouper populations had been all but extinguished. Their loss is a harbinger of the total collapse of the reef ecosystems towards which we are hurtling at breakneck speed.
What exactly will be losing if the South-East Asian reefs collapse? More biodiversity than the entire Amazon rainforest holds. The region's Coral Triangle has the most concentrated biodiversity in the world, with about 10 times more species than Caribean reefs. We would also what may be the most important source of natural medicines in the 21st century. Coral skeletons are already being used as human bone grafts, and about 1,000 reef species are tested annually by the United States National Cancer Institute for potential cancer treatments. All this diversity and potential may be well lost within 20 years.
The problem lies in an utter lack effective enforcement. An expert on marine conservation at the National University of Singapore, has pointed out how in parts of Indonesia, one locally employed ranger, in one dinghy with an outboard, often has to patrol vast swathes of ocean alone - if he patrols at all. With so little logistical support for rangers on the ground, illegal fishermen often have the free rein to do as they please. Even where the resources to enforce regulations are available, the rampant coruuptions endemic to much of South-east Asia poses additional difficulties.
To make matters worse, recent research has shown that even mild fishing pressure can dramatically alter the structure of reef ecosystems. Scientists at the Scripps Instituition of Oceanography in the United States studied the Northern Line islands in the central Pacific, which include some of the last remaining pristine reefs in the world. Reefs fished by islanders had drastically different fish communities, and were far less healthy. These reefs support a mere 2,000 to 5,000 people each. Sulawesi alone has a population of more than 16 million people. At such numbers, even the subsistence-level fishing permitted in most of the region's protected areas may prove too much for reefs to withstand. Stopping locals from fishing for a living will require education and monitoring. But more importantly, a viable alternative livelihood is needed.
I feel for the sake of the reefs and for ourselves, we must act, because marine life helps to hold the whole reef ecosystem together in all its biodiversity. Things like like reducing consumption of unsustainable or live seafood would be an easy and crucial first step towards safe-guarding our oceans - before we lose our last traces of paradise. We should conserve these magnificent natural wonders for the enjoyment of the generations to come.
We are cooking up trouble in the paradise. The live seafood trade, driven by growing demand in an increasingly affluently China, poses the latest of many threats to South-East Asia's coral reefs. Pollution from a growing coastal population are degrading them, increased carbon dioxide levels are making the waters inhospitaby warm and acidic, bleaching and dissolving corals and fishermen thtreaten to eliminate the fish that hold the whole reef ecosystem teogether. These have long threaten the forests of the sea. Without immediate regulatory action, these magnificent natural wonders will be irrevocably lost.
Consider the Wakatobi Marine National Park off Sulawesi in Indonesia. The park is home to sundrenched beaches and sapphire waters, and some of the world's most spectacular reefs. Groupers inhabiting the reefs there can grow to between 60cm and 2.5m. However, not a single grouper larger than 20cm was observed now. Anything larger had been caught by local fishermen, destined to be on a dinner plate - and the local grouper populations had been all but extinguished. Their loss is a harbinger of the total collapse of the reef ecosystems towards which we are hurtling at breakneck speed.
What exactly will be losing if the South-East Asian reefs collapse? More biodiversity than the entire Amazon rainforest holds. The region's Coral Triangle has the most concentrated biodiversity in the world, with about 10 times more species than Caribean reefs. We would also what may be the most important source of natural medicines in the 21st century. Coral skeletons are already being used as human bone grafts, and about 1,000 reef species are tested annually by the United States National Cancer Institute for potential cancer treatments. All this diversity and potential may be well lost within 20 years.
The problem lies in an utter lack effective enforcement. An expert on marine conservation at the National University of Singapore, has pointed out how in parts of Indonesia, one locally employed ranger, in one dinghy with an outboard, often has to patrol vast swathes of ocean alone - if he patrols at all. With so little logistical support for rangers on the ground, illegal fishermen often have the free rein to do as they please. Even where the resources to enforce regulations are available, the rampant coruuptions endemic to much of South-east Asia poses additional difficulties.
To make matters worse, recent research has shown that even mild fishing pressure can dramatically alter the structure of reef ecosystems. Scientists at the Scripps Instituition of Oceanography in the United States studied the Northern Line islands in the central Pacific, which include some of the last remaining pristine reefs in the world. Reefs fished by islanders had drastically different fish communities, and were far less healthy. These reefs support a mere 2,000 to 5,000 people each. Sulawesi alone has a population of more than 16 million people. At such numbers, even the subsistence-level fishing permitted in most of the region's protected areas may prove too much for reefs to withstand. Stopping locals from fishing for a living will require education and monitoring. But more importantly, a viable alternative livelihood is needed.
I feel for the sake of the reefs and for ourselves, we must act, because marine life helps to hold the whole reef ecosystem together in all its biodiversity. Things like like reducing consumption of unsustainable or live seafood would be an easy and crucial first step towards safe-guarding our oceans - before we lose our last traces of paradise. We should conserve these magnificent natural wonders for the enjoyment of the generations to come.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
