CHALLENGE!

reshape this flat-lined flub into a heart-pounding original poem...

okay, y'all... this should be fun! last class, we talked about "specificity" and that the P4P guidelines STRONGLY ENCOURAGE it to hone our unique, new voices. this assignment is an opportunity to flex our "specificity" muscles; something to help us get stronger and more exact with our intention and our words. following is a poem that could use your talents:

When I saw your face

it made my heart skip a beat

I knew I was in love, heat

filled my body when

you looked my way

told me your name

it's a shame that you are already

taken

nice? perhaps. but any Hallmark employee could have written it, right? what would you do to make rock it; rework it until it scintillates? a couple of things before you get started:

don't extend the length of the piece

don't change the intention

got it? have at it!

See you on Wednesday! BRING THE NEW, SNAZZIER POEM WITH YOU.

Our Work for the Week

WRITING ASSIGNMENT:

• Write a poem on a subject that you are afraid to write about. GO THERE!


• (Writing in the L'Oreal form is optional; info on the L'Oreal in bspace resources)


• Write against the "official story"


• Be kind and thoughtful toward yourself as you develop your poem this week


• Reach out to others for support, as needed.

READING ASSIGNMENT:

• Trauma section in your reader


• Skim through the resources


• Bring reader to class next week

PLEASE NOTE: the poem "This, My Earliest Memory" about the little girl with the orange juice-stained knees is NOT a L'Oreal poem. it is much more complex in terms of imagery and language. However, like the L'Oreal, it does effectively get into the world of the child. Feel free to use either style.

keep in mind...

so, as we've been meeting and discussing your poems, i thought it worthwhile to come here and make a few notes. 

first off, remember that this is a journey... not just to transform your work, but also to add light and intention to your walk in the world.  while your slam/poetry/stage performance will benefit from your P4P work, this is work intended to live beyond your performance.  we are creating literature that intends to document our lives and experiences and give voice to what, before now, had none.

secondly... USE THE GUIDELINES!  i say this not only because your grades depend on them but because your work will evolve, your skills will sharpen, your experiences will be illuminated, and, inevitably, your life will change if you engage this process in a REAL way.

all of that said... here are a few basic reminders that will save you lots of heartache (and save your STPs lots of headaches):

• Omit TO BE verbs
• Omit overused words
• Use internal rhyme where possible

up next... our LOVE poems!  see you tomorrow!

onward and upward, y'all...

In case you are having trouble...

DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO POST

(a copied repost from STPs Maurice and Rio's blog... THANKS Y'ALL!)

-Become a follower (no pun intended, well maybe but only for Maurice). If you do not have a gmail account this may cause a problem. The easiest way to solve this is sign up for one. Its fun its easy and all the cool kids are doing it

-After you become a follower you will be able to comment on the blog. To comment click the comment link that is located on the right corner next to the time and date of when the blog was posted. You will comment your answers there.

I hope that clears things up for those of you who are having trouble.

Now... onward and upward!  Let's get to posting, shall we?

ACES Questions

Greetings Beloved P4P Community,

 

Please answer the following questions about engaged scholarship and comment on at least one person's comment :)

1. What are your expectations going into engaged scholarship? 
2. Have you spent much time off campus since you got to Cal?
3. Are you from the bay area/not enrolled?  If so, how does this affect your relationship to ACES?
4. Which projects did you select and why? 
5. What are your hopes & fears?

Unfortunately, it was Paradise by Mahmoud Darwish

**ASSIGNMENT**

(1) Pick two poems from Unfortunately, it was Paradise.  Compare and contrast the two poems

**(hint: Since this series of poems spans Darwish's poetic career, one way of doing this might be by choosing two poems written at different times in his life.)

(2) Explain any central themes, identify strong language and tell us about your reaction to each poem.

Recommended length: 1-2 short paragraphs.

**Respond to these questions AND ALSO to at least one of your peers in order to receive full credit.

Info, Info, Info...

REPOST FROM BSPACE:

WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE NEXT WEEK:

• Write an Eyewitness poem
• Blog post in response to the following question developed by STP Caila:

• Unfortunately, it was Paradise by Mahmoud Darwish
  
  **ASSIGNMENT**
  
  (1) Pick two poems from Unfortunately, it was Paradise
  Compare and contrast the two poems
  **(hint: Since this series of poems spans Darwish's poetic career, one way of doing this might be by choosing two poems written at different times in his life.)
  (2) Explain any central themes, identify strong language and tell us about your reaction to each poem.
  
  Recommended length: 1-2 short paragraphs.

READING ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK:

• Read Suheir Hammad’s Zaatar Diva 
• Finish Arab/Arab Am reader
  

Midterm portfolio due in 2 weeks! assignment in resources section on bspace.

All Systems... GO!

So our Blog space is FINALLY functional.  WooooHoooo!  Now, let's get to posting the brilliance.

The most recent prompt was on Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls:
What types of oppression and internalized oppression can be found throughout the text?

While this is the assigned prompt, please don't feel limited to addressing only what is asked. Feel free to also post any questions and personal reflections you may have come across in your readings. Also please respond to your classmates posts as well. Also, don't forget to post a question you have about the ACES internships.

Enjoy your P4P blogging experience!

Onward and upward...