Poetry Review

Rite of Passage by Sharon Olds

Rite of Passage grabbed my attention with its humor, “How old are you? —Six. —I’m seven. —So?...I could beat you up, a seven says to a six,”(Olds). I’m a humorous person at least I like to think so. So for an author to write this poem about her child’s birthday, describing the event; “Hands in pockets, they stand around jostling, jockeying for place, small fights breaking out and calming.”(Olds), it’s funny to me, especially imagining this children shoving each other around, and sniping each other. I remember my childhood and if I could record some of birthday parties’ as an observer I can imagine them being somewhere in this poems description. But besides the humor I feel that this poem had some motherly heartfelt feelings, “My son, freckles like specks of nutmeg on his cheeks, chest narrow as the balsa keel of a model boat, long hands cool and thin as the day they guided him out of me, speaks up as a host for the sake of the group“(Olds).So overall I liked this poem, I feel the author had some fun while writing something dear to her heart.


Immigrants in Our Own Land by Santiago Baca
“At the gates we are given new papers, our old clothes are taken and we are given overalls like mechanics wear. We are given shots and doctors ask questions. Then we gather in another room where counselors orient us to the new land we will now live in.”(Baca). I heard many stories like this one Baca tells from my own family. My family migrated from South America many years ago, so when I read or hear of the stories of immigrants, and how they are treated or struggling I can sympathize with them. I think Baca has written something that a majority of America can relate to. Although I have never been in a situation like that of an immigrant, my parents have. So this poem is something I can sympathize with, but I feel that those who have lived through it would be more moved by this poem.